A Tango Love Story
Dancing is a joy that lifts the spirit and there’s plenty of opportunities around Coromandel Peninsula to learn a dance, meet new people, enjoy the exercise and have fun. Pamela Ferla continues this dance series with the Tango.
Imagine this. It’s dark, it’s late and the music’s loud at a park in Cordoba, a city of over one-and-a-half million centred in the heart of Argentina. A happy crowd fills the open space as they dance, their movements measured, couples focused as they concentrate on the irresistible passion of the Tango.
Local man Sergio Corvalan is there. He sees a woman across the crowd and invites her to dance. As is the custom, the invitation is simply a gaze – no words – and she smiles her acceptance.
They do not know it, but it will be the first of so many dances together, of travels, long separations, and eventually a new life across the Pacific in the small town of Whitianga.
It sounds like a Netflix movie, but it’s real, and now this lovely couple live at Cooks Beach and Sergio teaches Argentinian Tango in Whitianga. Born in Prague, now part of the Czech Republic, Jana moved to America in 1994 and worked as a general practitioner. She travelled to Argentina in 2016, then worked in Cordoba as a volunteer doctor.
“The night I met Sergio, I danced with many others,” says Jana, taking a break from Tango lessons at Whitianga Town Hall.
“But Sergio was a gentleman and he offered to walk me to the bus stop at the end of the evening. Then I went to his dance classes and we started going out together. One year later we were married.”
There was no language barrier as Jana had learnt Spanish when volunteering to help immigrants in the USA. Their wedding day was a musical affair, with Sergio’s Tango students attending and the bride and groom arriving on horseback.
Since their marriage they have had challenges with visas and long times apart. At one stage they didn’t see each other for 18 months because of Covid restrictions.
Shortly after they were married, Jana had to return to California, but Sergio could not get a US visa. So he moved to Mexico, close to the California border, and Jana drove or flew to Mexico to visit her husband on weekends. This arrangement lasted over a year.
In 2020, she was offered work in New Zealand as a GP in Thames. Sergio joined her a couple of months later and held Tango lessons in the town. But when his visa expired, alas, he had to return to Argentina and the couple endured another long separation. Jana travelled to see him once during this time. He got another visa in January 2023. Then in January this year the couple moved to Whitianga, where Jana is now working as a GP, and he is holding Tango lessons again.
Passion for dance
Sergio was just six when he started dancing and his passion for Tango is obvious. In his quietly spoken manner he reminds us to relax, stand tall, lean in, feel the beat of the music. It’s elegant, sensual, stirring. He is an excellent and patient teacher, encouraging students to embrace the subtleties and feelings of this unique dance.
Like most Kiwi dance classes, there’s a shortage of men. But there’s a friendly atmosphere, no judgement, and newcomers are very welcome. Students may even get a slice of yummy cake during the break.
Feeling welcome
Asked about their experience of living in New Zealand, the couple are positive.
“We are both from big cities where life starts up at night, so we miss that social life,” says Jana. “But Sergio loves the ocean and scuba diving and I enjoy swimming and cycling. And we find that people are very nice here and make us feel welcome.”
Argentinian Tango originated in late 19th century working-class districts of Buenos Aires. It’s a fusion of African, European, and indigenous rhythms and styles, with sensual and dramatic movements. It started in the streets and this custom continues in places like Cordoba, where people congregate and dance outdoors late into the night.
I felt very welcome at Sergio’s class. Back home, I practised gliding across the carpet, remembering his words – “Feel the music, don’t look down. Relax.” Regresare!
For information on Argentinian Tango classes, contact Sergio, 0274102454.
Words by Pamela Ferla
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