Tango Evolution - Music & Dance: Sunday Concert Series
Sunday 16 June, 6pm
Tickets: $35 / $30 (concession)
Concession prices available for students and over-65s
In its ongoing commitment to support and provide opportunities for live performance, The Arts House Trust is proud to present the Sunday Concert Series 2024 - an eclectic array of musicians and musical genres showcasing local performers.
Emotions and special magical feelings occur when two dancers join together with musicians to experience the evolving life of Tango. The experience is felt by dancers and musicians alike including spectators as the music is transformed into dynamic movements both in sync and sympathetic to the rhythms, breath-holding pauses of…Tango
The evolution of Argentine Tango from 1880 to the present day, coupled with the influence of renowned composers, has solidified Tango as a timeless and captivating art form that continues to captivate audiences around the world. Join with Dance Pasion as they take you through this Tango journey
Let us embrace the Tango evolution and experience the magic…
New Zealand professional Argentine Tango couple John Flower and Natallia Ramanchuk have been performing and teaching Tango together since 2019 including performances at the fabulous Napier Art Deco Festival, Latin Fiestas, Mission Estate, and recently performed with AOTango at the Auckland Museum. Natallia and John recently returned from continuing their training with Tango masters in Buenos Aires. Since returning, John & Natallia won the 2024 Oceania Tango Championships that were held in the Auckland Town hall in April with competitors from Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Australia and New Zealand
Natallia Ramanchuk and John Flower are joined by accomplished musicians Flavio Villani, Ricky de Medeiros, Merlina Ilundain and John Fennell to present a journey through the magical evolution of Tango.
ABOUT TANGO
The evolution of Argentine tango from its origins in the late 19th century to its current status as a globally recognized dance form has been a fascinating journey shaped by cultural influences and artistic innovations. Emerging in the marginalized neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires in the 1880s, tango was initially a dance of the working class, characterized by its raw emotion and improvisational nature. Over time, tango underwent a series of transformations.
Central to the evolution of tango has been the contribution of influential composers who have shaped the genre's distinctive sound. Composers such as Carlos Gardel, Astor Piazzolla, and Osvaldo Pugliese have played a significant role in defining the musical landscape of tango, infusing it with passion, drama, and sophistication. Their compositions have become iconic within the tango repertoire, providing the perfect accompaniment for tango showcases that feature intricate footwork, dramatic poses, and intense connections between partners.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
John Flower’s dance training began with ice skating where he became a gold-level ice dancer. He is a New Zealand Stage Tango Champion and represented NZ multiple times in World Stage Tango Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina. John has performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the APO.
Natallia Ramanchuk enjoys teaching and performing. A belly dance instructor for Arabellas, Natallia has also danced & performed Brazilian Samba with NZ Samba Passion – MUSAS for many years. Natallia has participated in many festivals, events, workshops, Samba parades and shows including an unforgettable experience while parading and dancing at Samba Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. One of the highlights was performing on the TV show “Dancing with the Stars” and featuring in the video for FIFA World Cup. Natallia has performed Argentine Tango at various events in New Zealand and recently enjoyed the intensive tango training taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ricky de Medeiros (Guitar) A passionate musician with a unique style, Ricky blends elements of Bossa Nova, classical guitar fingerstyle, Latin grooves, and flamenco techniques. He honed his skills by studying under masters of classical and traditional music in his native Brazil. His talent has earned him recognition as a reference in Latin guitar, and he has performed with a number of notable musicians, including Latin Grammy Award Winners Romulo Castro and Mireya Ramos.
Ricky quickly made a name for himself in NZ with his fingerstyle guitar technique, performing at special events and venues nationwide. He has also recorded with NZ Music Award Winners LatinAotearoa and performed live on TVNZ with Sony Music singer Yulia. Ricky accompanied acclaimed Brazilian singer Alda Rezende at the annual Brazilian Day festival in Auckland and played Brazil's national anthem with Samba Drum Ensemble Unidos de Aotearoa. Ricky joined with Jimy Kara (a graduate from the prestigious Berkley College of Music). Together they formed the guitar duo AcoustiCartel. the duo opened for the renowned Brazilian international Gabriel Sater and featured as special guests.
Flavio Villani (Piano) is an Italian-New Zealand pianist who made Auckland his home after moving from Italy in 2008. He completed a Bachelor of Piano Performance with Matteo Napoli at the Conservatory "G.Martucci" in conjunction with a Bachelor of IT in Salerno, Italy in 2007.
After working in IT in Barcelona for a couple of years, he was given the opportunity to come to New Zealand to pursue a career in music. He moved to New Zealand in 2008 to follow his dream and in 2012 he completed a Master in Piano Performance at the University of Auckland with first-class honours under the guidance of pianist Stephen De Pledge.
Flavio is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Waikato, with Katherine Austin as supervisor. Flavio’s doctoral research focuses on the methodologies of improvisation used within Classical music. Up until the end of the nineteenth century, improvisation was an essential component of a musician’s development. Elements of composition were combined in teaching and performance, for a better understanding, embodiment and interpretation of the musical elements of a score, as well as to enhance creativity in a musician’s formation. Key to this research and study has been the supervision and work with Professor David Dolan at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, an expert on this field.
The journey towards his first solo performance with an orchestra was documented in the internationally acclaimed biopic documentary "Crossing Rachmaninoff". The film followed his preparations for, and performance of, Rachmaninoff Concerto n.2 in Calabria in 2015.
After that performance he subsequently took different soloist opportunities performing Rachmaninoff Concerto n.2, Tchaikovsky Concerto n.1, the Warsaw Concerto and Carnival of the Animals with the Orchestra of CalArts in Los Angeles, the New Plymouth Orchestra, the Taranaki Symphony, the Bay of Plenty Symphonia, the Hawke's Bay Orchestra and the Auckland Symphony Orchestra.
Flavio was absolute winner of the Northland Society Piano Competition in 2008 as well as winner of the first prize in the Llewelyn Piano Competition in both 2011 and 2012.
He has performed many recitals as a soloist and in different chamber formations in California, Texas, Italy, Spain, North Macedonia and New Zealand.
Festivals where he has performed include: the Venice Biennale (2011) for the exhibition and installation of the New Zealand pavilion, "Lamezia Festival" in Calabria and "Pianino Festival" in the Chopin cell in Mallorca.
He has also adjudicated a number of national piano competitions in New Zealand in the past couple of years (Hamilton, Te Awamutu, IRMT Auckland).
Merlina Ilundain (Bandoneon) is a Bandoneonist and singer born in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Merlina has played in tango and folklore groups and orchestras, she is also a composer of songs.
Merlina began her studies first with her private teacher Marcos Peruzzo in 2014, then studied at the Adolfo Abalos Art Teacher Institute. Continuing her studies in La Plata and Buenos Aires including studying Popular Music at the University of La Plata.
She participated in Noches de tango at La torre de Mar del Plata, performs as a soloist and when in La Plata performs with the band Juana Eterna.
In La Plata Merlina recorded an album with La Bolten. Merlina’s last performances were in solo format, recording an album called Carruaje, available on Spotify.
John Fennell (Violin) is a violinist and music director based in Auckland. He completed an Artist Diploma in Violin at the Conservatorium of Music Auckland and subsequently, postgraduate degrees in music education and arts management. In a career spanning decades, John has captivated audiences worldwide as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician. He has performed for numerous dignitaries, including a Royal Command performance for Queen Elizabeth II.
John is the founding member and leader of the Starlight String Quartet – a group that has achieved more than 2,000 performances in New Zealand and overseas. Their recordings achieved gold album sales and a nomination for Album of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards.
John has mastered a wide repertoire. His music performances have earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following. Whether performing solo or collaborating with renowned ensembles and artists, John continues to inspire and enchant listeners.
John Fennell was Royal Court violinist and concertmaster of the Camerata Pasifika Ensemble of Soloists based in the Kingdom of Tonga 2007-2012. He was made a Commander of the Royal Household of Tonga for his services to music performance and education in Tonga. He is the principal of the Auckland Violin Studio for talented students preparing for music careers. John’s violin was made by Mario Gadda in Mantua, Italy in 1979.