Buenos Aires-born and raised, Rafael Galante is a tango dancer equally at home in the milongas of both BA and LA. His father was a
well-respected professional bandoneon player and Rafael grew up surrounded by tango. It's no surprise that he went on to express the 2/4 on the dance floor.

Having spent his life as an avid jazz fan and musician, the parallels between jazz improvisation and the intimate "conversation" of tango become an integrated force in his dancing. While he has studied with some of the greats, he considers Manuel Martinez his true mentor. Martinez is a maestro of the Villa Urquiza style, which Rafael considers the best and personally most enjoyable tango form. As a teacher, he now spices his excellent training with his own style, imparting the essentials of classic tango technique, while encouraging students to find their own tango voice.

Over the years, Rafael has performed at events in such esteemed venues as REDCAT, Opera Pacific, et al. If you frequent the milongas of Southern California, you surely have witnessed his personality on the dance
floor.