Under the choreographic direction of Cecilia Saïa and Ronen Khayat, the dancers of TANGO FIRST CENTURY reveal superb choreography and take you into the fascinating universe of one of the most beautiful dances of the twentieth century. Their unique backgrounds combined with their dancing techniques illustrate the attractive and powerful characteristics of the tango dance and present an inspirational perspective to the turn of the century genre.

Cecilia Saia
Born in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Cecilia Saia began studying art and dance at the age of eight and was a graduate of the Municipal School of Modern Dance General San Martin. Later, she graduated as a classical dance teacher from the Escuela Nacional de Danzas (Argentina). Her career path illustrates a broad knowledge of the tango dance that she has expressed in America as well as abroad, including Europe. In addition to her work on Tango First Century and Spotlight on Tango, she has participated in the most well-known tango productions - including Forever Tango and Tango Passion. As well, her work with masters of the tango and dance such as Juan Carlos Copes & Maria Nieves, Julian Plaza, Atilio Stampone, El Sexteto Mayor and Julio Bocca has won her the recognition of tango industry experts. Cecilia Saia is a Tony Award recipient.

Ronen Khayat
Born in Israel, Ronen Khayat moved to San Francisco in the late eighties to continue dance training with the San Francisco Academy of Ballet. At the same time, his passion for tango unfolded as he studied with today’s greatest tango masters, including Carlos Gavito, Fabian Salas, Ricardo Calvo, Osvaldo Zotto and Lorena Ermocida. Through the years, he performed in the United States with the Metamorph Dance Company, the San Francisco LAB Project and the Santa Rosa Ballet Company. He also participated in Carnegie Hall’s Tango Nuevo and Dream of Tango at the Byham Theatre in New York. Ronen combines his dazzling stage performances with a successful teaching career.

Angel Garcia
Director of TANGO Y MAS Theatrical dance company and originator of DANCE FURY, and ROXANA'S TANGO nominated for best Musical and best Director in 2007 by the ACE awards. He is one of New York’s most popular and accomplished dancers and Choreographers. Audiences throughout the U.S., South America and Europe have cheered the intensity and authenticity that is the hallmark of his work. He has choreographed, directed and or danced in numerous productions, including The Musical "Camilla" and Latin Rhythms with Chita Rivera for Broadway cares. In NYC he has performed in important venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Madison Square Garden to name a few , in music videos, My Cousin Vinnie and Tu Corazón from the film Dance With Me, Falling in Rhythm and the new Disney film Enchanted.

Leah Barsky
Leah Barsky was born in Germany but moved to the United States at a very young age with her family. Ms. Barsky has been dancing since the age of five. Ms. Barsky trained in ballet, modern, jazz and character. She has attended California institute of the Arts, American Dance Festival, The Julliard School Summer Intensive and New York State Summer School of the Arts on full scholarship. Ms. Barsky began studying tango over five years ago. Since moving to NYC, she has performed nationally and abroad with such companies as Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, New Generation Dance Company, Westminster Ballet Theatre, Marta Renzi and Dancers, Tango y Más and The Metropolitan Opera. Ms. Barsky is also a certified Pilates instructor.

Carlos Cañedo
Carlos Cañedo began performing professionally at age 14 and has performed throughout Argentina, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United States, both as a dancer and as a musician. As a member of TANGO A MEDIA LUZ, Carlos was dance captain and assistant under Tango great, Pampa Cortes. Carlos was in the cast of SWANGO, and performed in the show TANGO Y VIDA. He performed in Romulo Larrea's TANGOS PARA LA MILONGA, and is a cast member of FUSION TANGO. He has also worked with movie stars Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, and film director Spike Jonez. Carlos was invited to teach for the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, and was guest choreographer for New York's ATREVETE DANCE COMPANY. He has also choreographed cast members of the hit Broadway show FOREVER TANGO in his own company.

Mariana Galassi
Mariana Galassi was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she started dancing Tango more than nine years ago. She trained intensively in Buenos Aires with Chicho Frumboli and Lucia Mazer, Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa and Gustavo Naveira. Her background also includes modern dance, ballet and contact improvisation. In 2000 she moved to New York City where she currently teaches Argentine Tango at the Sandra Cameron Dance Center. She travels throughout the United States performing at different venues and giving workshops. She has also participated as a dancer and teacher in several Tango festivals including the prestigious International Congress of Argentine Tango (CITA, Buenos Aires 2004) where she was one of the main masters. Her personal interpretation of the dance makes her one of the most distinctive and exciting dancers of the new generation.

Walter Perez
Walter Perez began dancing in his hometown, Buenos Aires, when he was twenty-one. Since 1993, he has dedicated his career to studying Argentine Tango and the broad spectrum of Latin dances. Walter has trained in various styles and techniques with renowned Tango instructors such as Juan Carlos Copes, Graciela Gonzalez and Rodolfo Dinzel. Integrating dance techniques used in Ballet, Jazz, Modern Dance, and Acting, a unique fusion of style and skill has blossomed. Walter has performed with several dance companies, arts centers, and theaters. He has additionally participated in several Television variety shows and special events. His latest accomplishment is as a featured dancer in the Off-Broadway Production of “Let’s Speak Tango” directed by Carlos Magaletti.