Howoon

Howoon discovered tango in 2011 in Daejeon, South Korea, drawn instantly to its unrepeatable magic, the way no two moments are never the same. That living, breathing quality captivated him from the beginning, from the subtle shifts that surprise even in familiar songs to the harmony created through connection. On the floor, he cherishes how partners can interpret the music together or explore different layers like musicians in an orchestra, each adding nuance to a shared composition. 

As a DJ, Howoon plays with the hope that dancers will encounter the magical moments that keep him dancing year after year. He devotes himself to reading the room closely, choosing the right music at the right time to invite people to the floor naturally. His foundation is the well-loved classics of the Golden Age, whose richness he believes best matches the pulse of the room, complemented by carefully chosen, rarely played recordings that add freshness and creative spark. By using well-preserved, high-quality versions of the music where every instrument can be heard clearly, he aims to give dancers the freedom to discover new possibilities in every phrase, silence, and shared step, the essence of tango’s magic he hopes to inspire. He has been invited to DJ at many of the most beloved milongas and large-scale events across South Korea and Asia, and after moving to San Francisco in 2022, he has continued sharing his inspiration with diverse communities and dancers throughout the United States.
 

Grigor Aslanyan

I started dancing tango in 2008 and DJing in 2011. What began as curiosity after a Biagi musicality workshop grew into a genuine passion for studying tango music—especially the golden age—and a love of connecting with dancers through what I play.

For me, tango is about connection: with your partner, with the music, and with everyone else on the floor. 

As a DJ, I stay tuned to the dancers and the energy of the room, curating each tanda to keep that energy alive—moving from playful and dynamic to sweet and melodic, and now and then to something deep and dramatic. I'd rather not catch dancers off guard with very experimental or hard-to-dance music, but I always try to bring a touch of novelty to the dance floor. My goal is for people to forget about the music entirely—to stop wondering what's coming next and just want to get on their feet the moment a tanda begins.
Over the past 15 years I've DJed at milongas, festivals, and marathons around the world, from Sydney to Los Angeles to New York, and occasionally given musicality talks along the way. I'm currently based in the Bay Area, where I DJ regularly at local milongas.

DJ Jonas

Jonas has spent almost 20 years immersed in Argentine tango as a dancer, teacher, DJ, and community organizer. 

Over the years, he has DJ'd everything from neighborhood milongas and regional events to festivals and international marathons, sharing music with tango communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, across North America, and in Asia.

Equally at home with the classic orchestras of the Golden Age and today's contemporary tango landscape, Jonas enjoys crafting DJ sets that balance familiarity with discovery. Whether playing Golden Age classics, contemporary tango, or thoughtfully chosen alternative music, he believes every piece should earn its place by supporting connection, musical conversation, and the social dance floor. His programming emphasizes musical flow, emotional depth, and danceability, with the goal of creating a musical journey that feels cohesive, inspiring, and deeply rewarding for everyone on the floor.

Tommy Smith

Tommy discovered tango in early 2012 in Boise, Idaho, which he still calls home. Immediately becoming obsessed, his love for exploring both the technical and emotional facets of tango has only grown since. His skills and interests run the full spectrum: teaching, performing, and organizing - but DJing edges them all out as his top tango passion.

You won't find Tommy more animated or joyful than when he's behind the laptop, watching and grooving along with the dancers he's playing for. His DJ philosophy is simple: play songs that slap, tandas that get dancers' feet on the floor, and craft a journey that will lead to deep connection.

Tommy has a holistic approach to DJing, paying special attention to opportunities to enhance the dancer's experience beyond just choice in music. Throughout the night, you'll find him carefully choosing the perfect cortina, using volume to manage energy, and harassing organizers with questions like "So...just how much control do we have over these lights?"

Tommy has a passion for both traditional and alternative tango music and DJing, pursuing the rarer path of professionally DJing both. He draws upon his 13 years of experience DJing traditional milongas to inform his alternative style, believing that the key to success of DJing alt is to treat it like a traditional set - creating a dynamic flow, varying energies and styles, and playing music with rhythms and emotions dancers delight in connecting to.

To educate and motivate beginning DJs, progressing DJs, and those interested in tango music, he offers semi-regular DJ workshops. Events he has DJ'd at include Marathon Z (DC), Tango on the Rocks (Denver), Austin Spring Tango, Abrazo (Montreal), and the Ann Arbor Tango Marathon.

Jurni Rocco

Jurni Roco focuses on creating danceable tandas that evoke a full range of expression in the dance. She mixes the memorable with the new, providing music that catches the body and takes you on a journey.

Emily Webb

Emily Webb has been social dancing since 1997 and DJing since 2012. As the co-creator of Mission Fusion, Tango Atípico, and Full Spectrum Tango, she has spent decades building communities centered on connection, musicality, and unforgettable social dancing.

Through thousands of hours of social dancing and organizing events, Emily has fine-tuned her ear for what keeps dancers on the floor all night long. She approaches every set as a musical journey, carefully shaping the energy, emotion, and flow of the evening. Known for blending the elegance of traditional tango with the creativity and richness of contemporary and alternative music, her goal is simple: create a dance floor people never want to leave.

Since 2012, Emily has DJed for tango, alternative tango, and fusion events throughout the United States and Canada.

Olga Bogatova

Olga is a San Francisco-based DJ who has played music marathons and festivals across the West Coast. DJing has opened new doors for her to connect with the tango community and celebrate the joy of dance.   
 

With her DJ’ing, she aims to evoke various moods and create depth and intensity in her sets. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres, Olga combines vibrant, emotionally resonant tandas that flow in and take dancers on a journey. She loves to keep everyone dancing until the lights go out!