Group of people dancing and celebrating at an indoor event or party, with women dressed in black outfits and men in suits, on a wooden dance floor.

Welcome to tango breakthrough

Our mission is to elevate the level of tango dancers and performers in Los Angeles by forging strong artistic identities through the study and exploration of tango in its many forms.

We are committed to excellence, discipline, and intentional training, while never losing sight of the human journey behind each dancer. We believe it is never too late to chase your dreams, redefine your path, or step into a new version of yourself.

Tango Breakthrough is a safe and demanding space—a place for dancers who want to move with clarity, create with purpose, and discover new horizons in their tango journey.

Each week, we develop new sequences designed to strengthen technique, deepen musical understanding, and be immediately usable on the social dance floor or refined into choreography.

Our classes are rich in information and adaptable to every level. Carlos and Mayte consistently challenge advanced dancers while offering individual guidance to each student—ensuring that everyone is seen, supported, and pushed to grow.


Our Philosophy

1. Understand the Language

Tango is more than a collection of steps—it is a body language. We help you understand its structure, mechanics, and communication so you can respond naturally instead of relying on memorized sequences.

2- Build an Independent Dancer

Our goal is not to make you dependent on your teacher. We give you the tools to recognize what is happening, make better choices, solve problems, and continue developing your tango with confidence.

3- Train With Purpose

Every dancer has different strengths, habits, and goals. We identify what is holding you back and build a clear path forward—focusing on the areas that will create the greatest change in your dancing.

4- Find Your Own Tango

Technique creates freedom. Once the fundamentals become clear, you can move beyond imitation and develop your own musicality, expression, presence, and personal style

Meet Our Instructors

A man with shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes, and a goatee, wearing a white button-up shirt slightly unbuttoned, with a necklace featuring a rectangular pendant, against a dark background.

Carlos has a gift for making complex tango feel clear and understandable. His structural approach helps dancers recognize patterns, understand how movement works, and develop the tools to adapt rather than simply memorize steps.

Carlos Barrionuevo

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Mayte combines strong technical understanding with a remarkable ability to bring out the artist in each dancer. She helps students move beyond technique to discover greater expression, confidence, musicality, and their own personal voice in tango.

Mayte Valdes

  • "They will cheer you on and give you everything for you to succeed. I can’t recommend them enough - their classes are a must if you want to take your tango journey to the next level.."

    -Damian

  • What sets Carlos and Mayte apart is that they are true artists who genuinely obsess over tango and teaching. Instead of building a large student base, their passion is developing confident, thoughtful tango dancers who can eventually become leaders in the community."

    -Ivan O.

  • "Carlos and Mayte also built something bigger than lessons — a tango team that feels like family, where we support and cheer each other on, and they create real opportunities to perform and make art. I've made genuine friends I wasn't expecting when I joined. "

    -Elena N.

  • “In less than a year, my understanding, confidence and floor craft have vastly improved. It’s not just patterns or vocabulary—it’s learning how to make tango beautiful without it having to be complex.” goes here

    Steph J.

  • “Carlos and Mayte are amazing coaches who pinpoint problems and give individualized feedback. Their classes break tango into smaller pieces, helping you understand, grow and bring something home to practice.”

    Jenny C.

  • “In only one year, I received an intense education in Stage Tango, competed and performed alongside professional dancers. Carlos and Mayte are true masters of their craft, mentors and top-tier artists.”

    Alexander B.

  • “Carlos and Mayte expertly balance honest corrections and high standards with kindness and encouragement. They genuinely care about their students and continually create opportunities for our long-term development.”

    Elizabeth B.

  • “I’m impressed by the team’s commitment to excellence. Carlos and Mayte know how to bring each dancer to a higher level, simplifying complex technique and creating a real feeling of accomplishment.”

    Lourdes O.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions please contact us.

  • For Wednesday classes, we can accept solo students (couples recommended). We just ask that solo students be proactive about finding opportunities to practice, work with others, and continue improving outside of class.
    For our Sunday Team training, a partner is required, as we do not rotate partners during class.


  • Yes! In fact. August and September. your first Wednesday class is on us!
    During the year, we offer a one-time courtesy drop-in for a 2-hour class at $55. If you decide to continue, you must enroll.


  • No, it’s optional! While we encourage participation in performances, our focus is helping you improve at your own pace. Whatever it is =)

  • You must know the choreography and tempo by heart and be able to perform it solo. Additional requirements apply for competitions and the TangoEarth Showcase.