2024 Boot Camp
“Allen and I enjoyed Doni and Renee’s BootCamp very much, as we always do.
Carmel & Allen
They have a friendly, caring, considerate, and focused teaching style, and are very responsive to questions and concerns.
They present ideas that are not so much around steps, but around awareness of how, while dancing, to use our bodies to communicate deeply and best with our partner and connect with the feel of the music. It’s now a few months since we did the BootCamp, and I find their ideas come naturally into my head while I am dancing, and it always enhances my experience.
I think the amount of content they address in the BootCamp is just right too. Not too little, not too much.
We are looking forward to the next one!”
“The whole weekend ran smoothly. Donny and Renee, such a lovely, talented couple to learn from. Their style of teaching a breath of fresh air, allowing us to see Tango from a different perspective.
What I liked the most, and what drew me to attending the weekend, was the limited number of participants in the workshops. Working in a small group allowed for some detailed personal feedback from the instructors, making me feel seen as a participant rather than just another person in the class. The sessions were not dominated by talking; instead, we had ample time for practice with a good balance of questions and guidance.
Thank you once again for such a wonderful experience. I look forward to future Tango events with you on the Sunshine Coast.”Lynn
“The weekend was pivotal in getting me to move more freely, also to understand about keeping the flow in the dance (action), that we are not contained by ‘rules’, that we as follows can have input beyond adornos and what can look like an adorno can be just the dance flowing through to the next point. The other realisation was that tango is not about depart and arrive (something that afflicts most of us) but about continuing the movement through. Now I try to be aware of my tendency to ‘drop’ into a position and I am trying to flip it into a ‘flow’ through the position. It was easily the most functionally, impacting dance workshop of my dance career.”
Geraldine
What I really liked about the weekend …
Was the small group size to allow some focused time from Renee and Doni and not be in a huge class. I felt that 20 people would be a maximum. The size we had was good. I liked it was at your home and there were mirrors to work with. I liked the structure of the class and how it unfolded, but it did feel like time was cut short a bit. It was good to have seats as standing for hours can be hard. I wonder if start time should have been earlier as a “warm up” to get people there on time
How it helped …
I’ve done the boot camp three times now, and each time it has offered me insights into movement and my dance and options to create a more comfortable, engaging, connected and therefore beautiful dance experience. There were more than just physical insights into movement, but mental aspects about abandoning concepts of right and wrong, and embracing exploration, discovery and connection. It is always beneficial and I would repeat it every year if I could.Tom
I recently had the pleasure of attending an Argentine Tango learning weekend at Sunshine Coast Tango, and it was an experience that I’ll cherish for a long time. With a group of 12 people, ranging from beginners to more experienced dancers, I was curious to see how Renee and Doni would structure the weekend to cater to such a diverse group. I can confidently say that they did an excellent job of providing valuable content for dancers at all levels.
1. Great Content for All Skill Levels: One of the highlights of this weekend was how well Renee and Doni catered to the different skill levels in the group. The boot camp format worked perfectly, with lessons that balanced technique and fun while being accessible to everyone. Whether you were just starting out or had years of tango experience, there was something for everyone. My partner, Svetlana, who is completely new to dancing, felt that she made significant progress. She especially appreciated the time and attention Renee and Doni gave her, which boosted her confidence and made her excited to continue learning.
2. Unique Approach to Body Movement: Renee and Doni have a unique way of teaching tango that focuses on using your body in a smooth, fluid way, which made a huge difference in our dancing. Instead of simply focusing on steps, they emphasized posture, alignment, and the connection between partners, which helped us move with more ease. This approach made the experience feel less mechanical and much more enjoyable. Svetlana, especially, was able to feel her body moving more naturally and gracefully after just a few lessons.
3. Memorable Social Dances: The weekend wasn’t just about lessons — it also included wonderful opportunities for social dancing. The Friday night dinner dance was a great way to start the weekend, followed by a Saturday night milonga that had everyone dancing and connecting. However, the Sunday milonga by the pier 33 was truly the highlight, with the stunning view of the yacht harbor creating an unforgettable atmosphere for dancing. The combination of beautiful locations and great music made each event special and gave us a chance to practice the techniques we had learned while enjoying the social aspect of tango.
4. Personal Attention: Despite the group being relatively small, Renee and Doni provided plenty of individual attention. They made sure that every dancer received personalized feedback, which was especially helpful for beginners like Svetlana. Both instructors were patient, encouraging, and took the time to work with everyone, which contributed to a positive learning environment. Their ability to connect with each dancer really stood out and made the weekend feel more like a supportive tango community than just a series of lessons.
5. Beautiful Location: The setting at Sunshine Coast was perfect for the weekend. The dance studio / home was spacious and welcoming, and the nearby outdoor venues, like the pier, provided an incredible backdrop for the milongas. The serene environment made it easy to focus on learning and dancing, while the breathtaking views during the social dances added to the charm of the whole experience.
6. Overall Experience: Overall, the Argentine Tango learning weekend at Sunshine Coast Tango was an exceptional experience that I would highly recommend to anyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, Renee and Doni’s teaching style is inclusive, encouraging, and effective. Svetlana and I both saw improvements in our dancing, and we had a great time learning and connecting with the other participants. From the expertly taught lessons to the fantastic social dances, everything about this weekend was well thought out and thoroughly enjoyable.
If you’re looking to improve your tango or just enjoy a fun weekend of dancing in a beautiful location, this event is definitely worth attending. I’ll certainly be back for more!Gary & Svitlana
2019 Boot Camp
“We love the Boot camp weekend! There are so many positive experiences, great conversations, wonderful dances, and of course, lots of intense learning.
Renee & Doni
As teachers travelling through a community, we don’t always get the time to witness the change in people when they take a single workshop. The Boot Camp is different, we get to see the huge progress that is made by all the students. It’s amazing to see the exploration, understanding and creativity grow over the two days. We love that people achieve something that they thought was impossible.
Not only does the Boot Camp effect peoples dancing, we also see new friendships formed. People helping one another through the concentrated learning process, or just chatting over food and drink between dances.”
“The collaborative efforts between Sunshine Coast Tango and TangoMelbourne to form this Boot Camp was amazing! The venue was lovely and environment was always positive and friendly! Not to mention the weather and adjacent beach was such a pleasure! I hope to visit again in the near future!”
Jason & Carlia
“Attended the Sunshine Coast boot-camp with Doni and Renee in November. I believe they are as good if not better than some of the better tango teachers who do not own an Australian passports! If you get my drift ?
Ron
Three thoughts about the workshops:
1. Useful on the social dance floor with elegant rather than “showy” moves.
2. Teachers demonstrations were inspiring from simple moves to some more intricate moves.
3. Ability to explain how to do it from different perspectives as we all learn differently.
And finally the hostess Cath who makes everyone feel at home, and puts in a massive effort to make it happen.”