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The most Up-to-date and concise Homer & Cristina Bio info is located on their new website www.FreshLaundryTango.info!

The information on this page, however, is mostly valid and historically detailed/accurate.   If you have some free time you may enjoy going through it all...

HOMER & CRISTINA LADAS (couple's bio):
Homer and Cristina started their tango obsession long before the met each other.   Each with over 11 years of experience emphasizing a fusion of social tango ideologies...   As teachers they are committed to creating a positive class environment where small epiphanies can & do occur in their students.

Special Note:
Homer & Cristina prefer to not use the term 'nuevo' in their approach to tango or in their class titles.   Instead, they like to dance & teach a variety of connected, musical, dynamic, interesting, creative, liberating, etc, ideas/technique/movement.   They both work towards the fusion of all tango concepts via the 'one tango' philosophy in an attempt to reduce barriers that may inhibit themselves or other folks from really finding their own dance...

It has been said, on more than one occasion, that few dancing couples improvise with such skill, personality, and fluidity of movement.   Married since May 2002 they continue to explore deeper facets of their relationship to each other and to tango.

WATCH ONE OF HOMER & CRISTINA'S CURRENT FAVORITE DEMOS:

HOMER LADAS (full solo bio):
Homer Ladas is currently an inventive enthusiast of the "One Tango" school which attempts to study, integrate, and balance what's 'new' with what's 'traditional'.   He has been dancing tango obsessively since 1997 and teaching full-time since 2002.   As a social dancer or in performances, his creative energy and utter joy of tango dance is simply beautiful to watch.

As a teacher, Homer continues to grow and discover new ways to create a positive class environment where small epiphanies occur in his students all the time.   He is committed to helping dancers discover that tango is more than just steps, and that everyone holds within them a creative voice to share with their partners.   In class, Homer focuses on a fusion of open & close embrace tango ideologies...while emphasizing the social aspects of connection, musicality, and floorcraft.

Homer also enjoys and works hard at dj'ing both traditional and alternative tango mixes...   In addition, he is also a founding member of the non-profit group Project Tango which endeavors to promote tango as a social dance and evolving art form in our world culture while building & maintaining individual & community integrity, balance, & respect.   On his free time, between teaching, dj'ing, practicing, social dancing, and organizational work, Homer practices his bass, cross-trains, and most importantly, spends time with his most amazing wife Cristina.   Sometimes he sleeps...

MORE OF HOMER'S TANGO DETAILS:
For a more historical background on Homer, especially the pre-tango and early-tango years, take a look at Homer's Tango History.   Click here for a concise list of Homer's Favorite Teachers and dancers who have influenced him.   Lastly, you can read a few unsolicited student testimonials.


HOMER & CRISTINA LADAS (more details):
Homer and Cristina started their tango obsession long before the met each other (Cristina started dancing a few months before Homer!).   They started dating during the 2001 Portland Tangofest.   Eight months after getting together in Portland they decided to get married (on May 28th, 2002)!   Up until 2004, they were partnered together as outstanding young performers and teachers of Argentine Tango.   After that, a brief interlude into the culinary profession lead Cristina down her separate path of exploration, however, she still maintained her social dance skills and part-time work with Homer.   At the close of 2006 Homer & Cristina joined forces again to travel and teach tango full-time (at least thru 2007).

HOMER'S OTHER LOCAL PRACTICE/WORK PARTNERS:
Besides Cristina, Homer is splitting his weekly practice and work (teaching/demo'ing) with other SF & Bay Area followers.   Developing good communication skills with good practice partners is one great way to constantly improve as a social dancer and teacher.   This allows for a more solid integration of social improvisation & connection ideas while providing a continued source of very excellent feedback.   Some of Homer's more or less regular & local partners include:

                  Lisette Perelle
                        Anna Thanukos
            Andrea Fuchilieri


TANGO MENTORSHIP:
Charity Lebron:
  In her own worlds, Charity Lebron is "absolutely obsessed with Argentine Tango!"   Charity began her dance studies with classical ballet and folk dancing in junior high and high school, and studied movement while attending Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle for acting.   She started learning tango with Homer in 1999 while simultaneously pursuing West Coast Swing, Ballroom, and other social dances.   Since then, Charity has become a full-time social dance teacher with focus on tango.   She has developed a skill and passion for teaching dance to anyone - to take them to their full potential and beyond!   Charity Lebron is being supervised by Homer at this time, under a "Tango Career Mentorship Program."



Sean & Charity
Charity Lebron is currently partnering with Sean Dockery for workshops, classes, demos, and private lessons.   More information about them can be found at their website http://open-tango.com!