It all begins with a step...
The nature of Argentine Tango is improvisation; it a social dance that does not have patterns or sequences. Its foundation lies in connection, a silent conversation between the couple where the leader proposes a step and the follower responds as they move together around the dance floor. Images of passion, nostalgia, and heartbreak are often conjured when one thinks of tango; however, for those within the Argentine Tango community it can also be a source of immense happiness, joy, and a place of belonging.
In this increasingly disconnected world, tango is a fantastic way to improve non-verbal communication for people of all ages. Our mission is to make tango accessible to all of those who are interested so that they can find a deeper sense of belonging within their community. With every songdanced, the legacy of the porteños of Argentina will carry on.
Our Team
Mariela Franganillo
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mariela Franganillo is the Founder and Artistic Director of Dance Tango NYC and the Abrazos Tango Festival, an internationally recognized Argentine Tango dancer, choreographer, producer, educator, and cultural ambassador whose career spans more than three decades. She first gained international recognition as a principal performer in the Broadway production of Forever Tango.
Her distinguished career includes appearances at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing and Carnegie Hall, performances and touring with Grammy Award-winning pianist Pablo Ziegler, a U.S. tour with Julio Iglesias, and an invitation to choreograph and perform at New York City Center’s prestigious Fall for Dance Festival. She has also been invited to teach Argentine Tango at Stanford University, Princeton University, Harvard University, and Barnard College.
Mariela is the creator, choreographer, and producer of Recuerdo Tango, Tango Connection, Tango Noir, and SWANGO: The Musical!, developed in collaboration with Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes. She also founded New York City’s first Argentine Tango Marathon and organized a major tango festival at Columbia University in partnership with the World Music Institute.
As Founder and Artistic Director of the Abrazos Tango Festival, Mariela shapes its artistic vision and brings together distinguished Argentine artists to ensure the highest standards of artistic excellence and cultural authenticity.
FB: Mariela Franganillo
IG: @mariela_franganillo
Dagny Arizona Miller
Born and raise in New York City, Dagny Arizona Miller is an Argentine Tango dancer, educator, performer, DJ and cultural organizer who serves as Executive Director od Dance Tango NYC and the Abrazos Tango Festival.
Today, Dagny teaches in New York City and throughout the United States, emphasizing connection, musicality, and authentic expression over elaborate steps. She has taught Argentine Tango at universities including Yale University, Princeton University, and Columbia University, introducing students to tango both as an art form and as an important expression of Argentine culture. She also teaches, performs, DJs, and presents educational workshops at tango festivals and cultural events across the country.
As Executive Director of Dance Tango NYC and the Abrazos Tango Festival, Dagny oversees operations, educational programming, community partnerships, and organizational development while helping shape the organizations’ long-term vision and growth. Through her work, she has helped build connections among university communities, social dancers, and internationally recognized Argentine artists, furthering Dance Tango NYC’s mission of education, cultural exchange, and the preservation and transmission of Argentine Tango.
FB: Dagny Arizona Miller
IG: @dagnyarizona