PRIMAVERA TANGO
Welcome to our studio, where tango is taught & performed with an emphasis on technique, skill & professionalism. We provide a comprehensive range of performances, events & lessons tailored to support dancers at all levels. Our dedicated team delivers high-quality instruction & organises engaging events that reflect our commitment to the art of tango. See our full tango résumé here.
Primavera Tango was founded by Dean James Beattie & Genevieve (Gigi) Silva, two accomplished tango professionals with over 20 years combined experience in the world of Argentine tango. Together, we have built a reputation for excellence, both in Australia & internationally. Our journey has taken us to some of the most prestigious stages & competitions in the world, including:
Sub-Champion - 2024 preliminaries for the World Tango Championships Oceania
Third Place - 2023 in a highly competitive stage tango competition in Buenos Aires. Copa Marabú
Sub-Champions - 2018 Tango Pista Melbourne (2018)
First Place - 2018 for People’s Choice in a televised international talent competition (Public vote)
Our commitment to tango has led us to Argentina three times, where we spent many years immersed in the culture, training with world-renowned champions & deepening our understanding of this art form.
Since returning to Australia, we have brought our passion for tango to new audiences through film, television & live performances at iconic venues. Our tango made it to the screen in a big way with The Heiress Blacklisted Her Husband, a vertical series on ReelShort that has taken the world by storm. With over 80 million views & climbing, this gripping drama of love, betrayal & redemption features a powerful tango scene choreographed & performed by us, alongside the lead actress. It's one of the show’s most emotionally charged moments & we are proud to have brought the raw elegance of Argentine tango to its global audience.
Our work also includes appearances in a documentary, a short film currently under review for an independent film award & a feature on 7News Morning Sunrise. We have performed at prestigious locations such as the Sydney Conservatorium of Music & the Sydney Opera House precinct, continuing to share the art of tango across stages & screens.
DEAN JAMES BEATTIE
With a journey rooted in stage tango that began in London, 2013, I have embarked on an incredible path through the realms of tango, taking me across continents. After migrating to Australia, 2015, I entered a new chapter, discovering the essence of Tango Pista, the dance of the social floor. This authentic & passionate form of tango truly spoke to my heart as I found myself in the lively tango community of Sydney.
To deepen my knowledge, I travelled to the birthplace of this art form, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Over three transformative trips in 2017, 2019 & 2022, I committed to mastering both tango pista & stage tango, learning from some of the most talented maestros & milongueros. Alongside me throughout this exhilarating journey has been my wife & dance partner, Genevieve (Gigi), who has been my rock in every moment. Our collaboration reflects the deep connection we share as dance partners & as life partners. Our synchronicity, trust & shared love for tango have been the pillars of our success.
We have had the honour of participating in 10 international tango competitions, pouring our hearts & souls into each performance. My background in gymnastics, where I earned numerous gold medals in my youth, instilled in me the discipline, determination & ideas that I now bring to tango.
A Life Beyond Tango
Before tango became my passion, I was an accomplished award-winning architect, leading significant projects such as the Melbourne Metro (as CBD Platform Design Lead), Rockdale Bicentennial Park, the Canberra Light Rail, numerous high-end designs in central London and the UK’s Olympic Park. My work has been recognised with honours including winning London Architects of the Year (Royal Institute of Architects, 2015), winning the Invisible Cities Project award (Royal Institute of Architects, 2010) and my final-year dissertation on Timber Gridshells, which was selected as the top entry and showcased at Kingston University’s end-of-year exhibition. This professional foundation has deeply shaped my approach to tango, allowing me to blend creativity with structure.
Through Primavera Tango, I’m honoured to share this journey with you, celebrating the connection & joy that tango brings.
GENEVIEVE SILVA (Gigi)
My first encounter with tango happened at the age of 8 during a family holiday in Argentina, where I witnessed tango in its birthplace. I was bewitched by the emotion, connection & sheer intensity of the dance. In that instant, it felt like I had a glimpse into the core of love & that memory has stayed with me ever since.
My journey into the world of dance began long before I discovered tango. I have embraced various dance forms throughout my life, from the elegance of ballet to the vivacity of jazz & the sensuality of belly dancing. These diverse influences have shaped the way I express myself on the dance floor, infusing my movements with a unique blend of grace, emotion & passion.
One of the most unforgettable moments of my tango career was performing weekly in a tango show in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires. It was there, in the heart of the city’s vibrant tango scene, that I felt truly connected to the soul of this art form. I also had the privilege of working at the Institute of Betsabet Flores, where I served as a professional photographer while my husband, Dean, assisted with private lessons. Through the lens of my camera, I love capturing the beauty & emotion of tango, focusing on people’s expressions as they connect with the dance in intimate portraits. This art form allows me to share the enchanting stories of tango with the world.
A Partnership Like No Other
One of the most cherished aspects of my tango journey has been my partnership with Dean, my dance partner & life partner. Together, we have embarked on thrilling adventures to tango competitions around the globe, continually deepening our bond through our shared passion for dance.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE TANGO COMMUNITY
We strive to promote & celebrate every aspect of this beautiful dance, fostering a sense of community & connection. We believe in the power of Tango to tell stories & connect people across diverse backgrounds. It is a form of expression that tells stories of love, loss & the human experience. We are committed to fostering a deep appreciation for Tango within the community, creating a space for people to learn, dance & be inspired.
Transforming Lives Through Argentine Tango - At the core of Primavera Tango's mission is a commitment to improving lives through the holistic benefits of Argentine Tango, with a special emphasis on building meaningful social connections. Founded by Dean James Beattie & Gigi Silva, our journey is a celebration of health, self-discovery & the power of human connection.
Dancing Towards Holistic Health - We believe in the transformative power of Tango. It's a therapeutic journey for the mind, body & soul. Our mission is to spread awareness about the myriad health benefits that Tango offers, from improved cardiovascular health to enhanced mental wellbeing. Through every step, we aim to inspire individuals to embrace a lifestyle that nurtures both physical & mental health. Social Connection, in a world that sometimes feels disconnected, Tango becomes a bridge, uniting people through shared moments of grace & rhythm. Our mission is to expand the tango community, introducing fresh faces & diverse perspectives.
Tango: A Dance for Everyone - Tango is a universal language that welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds & skill levels. We are committed to creating an inclusive & supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to join the dance. The strength of our tango community lies in its diversity. We envision a community that reflects a mosaic of backgrounds, experiences & stories. By embracing this diversity, we believe our community will not only sustain the tango tradition but evolve into a dynamic, resilient network that thrives on the unique strengths each individual brings.
Our mission is an open invitation to all who have yet to experience the magic of tango. Beyond the dance, we see a world of health benefits, positive social interactions & overall wellbeing waiting to be discovered. Primavera Tango is about creating moments of connection, joy & self-discovery that linger far beyond the dance floor.
If you would like to know more, please email us at: info@primaveratango.com.au