Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS 2026

I am pleased to offer my highest recommendation for Ken Delmar as a tango instructor. Having studied with many teachers over the years, I can say without hesitation that Ken is the most exceptional tango teacher I have encountered.

As an educator myself—one who has been fortunate to receive recognition for my teaching—I am particularly attuned to what distinguishes truly impactful instruction. Ken’s approach stands out not only for its clarity and effectiveness, but for the inspiration it instills in his students. His background as a professional ballet dancer gives him a rare ability to break down the complexities of tango into accessible, intuitive exercises that translate seamlessly into movement. What might otherwise feel intricate or overwhelming becomes natural and embodied under his guidance.

Beyond technical skill, Ken brings an extraordinary depth of passion to his teaching. His love for tango is palpable—it infuses every class and resonates with every student. Through his instruction, tango reveals itself as more than a dance; it becomes a living metaphor for connection, shared energy, and nonverbal communication. He teaches students to interpret music through movement, to tell stories through their steps, and to engage in a subtle dialogue between partners.

Equally important is Ken’s character. He is patient, kind, and genuinely invested in the growth of his students. His warmth and enthusiasm create an environment where people feel both supported and inspired to push beyond their limits.

Ken Delmar not only demystifies a complex dance—he elevates it into an accessible, meaningful, and deeply human experience. I recommend him without reservation.

Andrea T.

I am new to tango, so I am in a perfect position to talk about our classes from the standpoint of someone who has just started dancing without prior experience.

Let me talk about a few things that make Ken’s classes outstanding.

Ken was a great performer in the past and is a wonderful teacher, which is a very rare combination. He has a deep understanding of the very roots of dance and musicality. I should say he understands the soul of tango and passes that knowledge forward. His classes are fundamental and fun.

Ken has a unique personality. When you just start learning a new, complex discipline, it is very important who your first teacher is: the one who blows out that light of interest or the one who turns it into a fire. With his kindness, generosity, and desire to share knowledge and make his students successful, Ken is definitely the second type. He breaks difficult things into small pieces that are easy and fun to learn, and later assembles them into a whole, complex picture.

The classes have a very good, sharp structure, and no time is wasted. At the beginning of each class, we do drills that help us build a solid base—posture, balance, and the ability to perform major dance elements beautifully. From at least three professional dancers, I’ve heard that many milonga dancers lack strong basic technique and try to put out “frosting” without a “cake.” So I am very lucky to learn from Ken.

People love Ken’s classes; they are always full. Ken has a talent for engaging everyone and dividing his attention among all the students, so no one is left behind. This is why there are many dancers who keep coming back to Ken’s classes for years.

He is always in the mood and groovy, and that is very contagious. He has a cheerful nature and obviously genuinely loves what he does. It seems like he does not have bad days, but in reality, he has an exceptional gift for being present and focusing on what he does, so he leaves whatever might bother him behind the classroom doors. With his love for people, he magically creates a sense of lightness around him.

Ken encourages questions and generously gives his extra time to explain things before and after classes.

Natasha N.

The reason I started taking Ken’s class was just to try out Argentine tango, and the reason I stayed (as one who doesn't stick with a hobby for long) was their skill, patience, and genuine caring for the students. And the feeling of always learning something new and improving from the class.

Minya D.

For me, it’s down to these 5 points:

1. The Teachers: Ken and Diane are the best! They have so much Tango knowledge and are so generous with how they share it.

2. Peer Learning: I love that the class has such a good mix of levels. As a beginner, being able to dance with experienced leaders has helped my progress immensely.

3. The Vibe: Everyone is so kind and respectful. It’s a group that actually knows how to have a good time while learning.

4. The Value: It’s very affordable, which is rare for this level of expertise. You get so much out of every session.

5. The Location: Cañada college is close to home!

Vien N.

I keep coming back to Ken since 2015 when I first started to take tango lessons at skyline with Diane and Ken. If you evaluate Ken performance on stage you will notice that he is teaching us a lot of what he did as a professional dancer. Ken and Diane are truly outstanding instructors. Their knowledge of tango is deep, and what really stands out is how openly and thoughtfully they share it with everyone.

I’ve also found the learning environment especially helpful. The mix of experience levels in the class creates great opportunities to grow—dancing with more advanced partners has made a noticeable difference in my own progress as a beginner.

Another thing I appreciate is the overall atmosphere. Everyone is welcoming, respectful, and genuinely there to enjoy both the learning and the dancing. It makes each session something to look forward to.

Shawn K.

I agreed with all of your insights. Argentine Tango was my first dance after the pandemic to relearn and still learning.

Collin C.

I am in complete agreement with all that everyone said. I love Ken, Diane, all the students and the classes. I am very impressed with how well articulated everyone’s comments are and I am delighted to be in this great group of friendly dancers.

James George F.

Ken is something very rare in dance, not only is a master of dance he is a master instructor. He truly takes the time to build foundations and is incredibly patient, which is hard to find with such a technical dance as the Argentine Tango. His enthusiasm and passion is the icing on the cake. If you want to love dancing and excel at the same time look no further than Ken!

Louise B.

Learning tango and other Latin American dance forms from Ken Delmar has been a great experience. His teaching is very thorough and at the same time loads of fun. His knowledge is deep and he passes it on in an encouraging way, never lacking a sense of humor.

Richard G.

Excellent, personable approach. Solid teaching skills. High level of enthusiasm and communication. Provides an ambiance that defuses peoples fears about learning a very difficult dance and where they can enjoy the experience. Ken's approach does more than just teach a difficult skill, it gives people a lifelong love of dance. As a major plus, his students quickly find themselves in a class full of friends rather than strangers.
Highly recommended!

Trevor R.

I really love Ken's class. He is my first dance teacher, and I have had a lot of good experience from his classes. He knows what he teaches and enjoys his job. He also pay attention to details. I highly recommend his class if you are trying to be a good dancer and really want to learn. Ken is a skillful artist and an excellent , dedicated teacher. He has such a passion in teaching his students so that we really benefit from it. He and his assistant Diane put their efforts together to conduct each session carefully in order for us to make steady progress. After one semester, we all can enjoy Argentine tango! The cost of tuition is so minimum at the Skyline College and the College of San Mateo, it is really a bargain.

Mark C.

Argentine Tango and Cuban Salsa Changed My Life

By Xi Lin, CSM Mathematics Major

The spring term, which was my last semester at CSM, I needed to sign up for two more credits to be qualified as a full time student there. During the club open-house day, I was wandering among the various club’s booths to look for something of interest to me. A tall, thin guy was dancing with loud music from his boombox in the middle of walkway and he said to me “Do you want to dance?” I told him “I do not know how to dance”. He said it was easy and fun! Suddenly, he grabbed my hands and twirled me around him to start dancing. I was little slow to catch on to the beats of the music. However, with his guidance I was slowly stepped into the beats of the music. I asked what dance it was. He said it was salsa!

Although I was in a jazz class previously, I never had partner dance experience, but that brief dance incident piqued my interest in looking for partner dance classes. I searched on YouTube for salsa and tango dances. I was immediately attracted by the beautiful movements of the Argentine tango. The music was so rhythmic and the movement was so graceful. I immediately looked up the dance classes offered in our colleges. I was able to sign up for an Argentine tango as well as a Cuban salsa class to fit into my schedule. At that time I did not even realize that both classes were taught by the same teacher, Mr. Ken Delmar. After our very first classes, I had a sense that I would like to stay with these two dances for a long time. Ken is so passionate about what he teaches. In the class he told us that he went to Argentina to learn his skills fourteen times after he retired from his ballet career.

By the end of the spring semester, we all learned a lot and we had a lot of fun in our classes as well. During our lessons, Ken had us rotate partners so we had a chance to dance with every leader and folloer in the class. In that way, we could give each other feedback so we all learned much quicker. More importantly, during the first half of his class time, the more advanced dancers (Ken’s students who have gone through his previous classes) in the class danced with the beginner dancers, so we all progressed faster and enjoyed our dancing a lot more.

Now I am leaving CSM and Skyline College since I was accepted by UC Berkeley. I will miss Ken’s classes. However, while I will continue to study for my mathematics major, but I will have dance training by electing a modern dance class at Berkeley that Ken recommended. He believes it will eventually help my partner dances a great deal.

I am looking forward to my challenges at Berkeley!

By Xi Lin, CSM Mathematics Major

Testimonals from previous years

I learned a lot from your beginning class and practicing the dance once in a while at the social dances. My friends who knows Argentine Tango were amazed of how much I learned from your class. Keep up the good work--you encouraged your students that they can dance. Goodluck.

Fran Cruz

To say that Natasha and Ken teach dance lessons is truly an understatement. They are ambassadors of wellness for the body, mind, and soul. Their lessons are interspersed with an interactive lightheartedness, and attention to detail; truly they embody their mission statement "to share a love for dancing. For me the Joy has been in the Journey. As Ken and Natasha say "Tango has nothing less to offer than a lifetime of joy. "Don't worry, just dance!"

William M. Ward

I thoroughly enjoyed Ken's beginning class at Skyline College and plan to take the next step, I mean, class. Ken's teaching style was laid back, methodical and he was so patient with the students. Learning was never so much fun.

Dorsetta

My wife and i took the Tango class because a friend asked us to go with her. We are so glad we did. We are having so much fun learning to dance. Ken is great. He is very easy going, friendly ,funny and a very good teacher. WE loved the first classes so much we came back for more.

Bob and Pauline

How's this, Ken: I've been studying Argentine Tango with Ken for two years, and have enjoyed every minute. His passion for the dance; respect for tradition and discipline; and playful spirit always make for rich, challenging, and fun classes. And his tanguero style of teaching prepared me very well for dancing in the Milongas of Buenos Aires. In fact, while there, my milonguera technique was praised a handful of times by some of the Portenos, with some surprise, I might add! I owe that entirely to Ken.

Suzanne

"Ken makes the tango class enjoyable and so much fun. He is very sensitive to the students' learning needs and encourages students to learn tango to the best of their ability without pressure. He also creates a very friendly and conducive to learning class environment. I strongly recommend his tango class to anybody." If you still need more testimonial, just let me know. Thanks for asking me.

Levinia

Ken is a fantastic tango instructor. He teaches both the foundation and complexities of the dance with clarity, patience and grace. He is literally an ideal instructor, and I would take any dance class taught by him, tango or otherwise. He is born to dance and teach dance.

Megan Levitt, Foster City, CA

We have been taking tango with you for the second year now, and I have to say, that we enjoy it tremendously. You make it such a fun class, even doing simple exercise can be very enjoyable. We always look forward to our "tango night", even if we feel tired or "not in the mood" going to the class changes it all. After the class all worries seem to go away. Thank you Ken for teaching tango with such passion and enthusiasm, I and Mark plan to continue taking classes for as long as we can move. With sincere appreciation,

Marina and Mark Beylin

We have been dancing with Ken since 2005. Initially we approached Ken to choreograph our wedding dance and we began taking classes. We successfully choreographed a wedding dance, but decided that we wanted to continue studying tango with Ken. Ken is a enormously talented and inspirational dancer who brings into tango the rigor of his training as a professional ballet dancer. He has an uncanny ability to communicate with students at all levels. His background as a dancer allows him to understand the movements and deconstruct the tango into small digestible steps that leads to effective learning. Additionally, Ken is a kind, patient, and charismatic person and is a pleasure to work with. Ken communicates his passion for teaching and dancing to his students and he is extremely hard working. We have prepared for a number of performances with him and he has always been committed to the success of the performance. Moreover, he he loves Tango and he strives to teach his students to dance with integrity and purity and to bring joy to the tango.

Laura and Guillermo Elias

I have been taking tango classes with Ken for almost two years now. The classes are well structured and I particularly like that Ken teaches us how to dance to the different kinds of tango music. As we progress with our dancing, we benefit from Ken's large repertoire of steps, and also from his contacts in the international tango world through exciting guest teachers.

Ana Helena

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