Special Guests

Montana singer-songwriter whose music blends folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and jazz. With a powerful, supple voice and emotionally honest songwriting, she brings warmth and connection to every performance. She has shared the stage with The Avett Brothers, The Wailers, David Grisman, Hal Ketchum, Reckless Kelly, and Old 97’s

She will be Rocking some Tandas at the Alternative Milonga

Jade discovered Argentine tango shortly before the pandemic and officially began her tango journey in 2021. Since then, her dedication has taken her around the world, earning her a reputation as a true tango nomad. Jade regularly travels throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, building connections with tango communities and sharing her love for the dance wherever she goes. As an official ambassador for internationally recognized events including the Krakus Aires Tango Festival and the Belgrade Tango Encuentro and Festival, Jade is passionate about fostering community, welcoming dancers, and helping promote exceptional tango experiences. Beyond the dance floor, she has extensive experience working behind the scenes as an event planner and food manager for numerous tango events across the United States, giving her a deep understanding of what makes an event both memorable and successful. Whether she's dancing, organizing, DJing, or representing a festival, Jade brings warmth, professionalism, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for the global tango community. She is excited to share her energy, musicality, and passion with your event.

​Harmony and beauty is what I seek. As a tango DJ, I strive to delight dancers with the most beloved songs, arranged into smooth, consistent tandas. When I'm not DJing, I pursue harmony and beauty in nature. Driving through breathtaking landscapes, hiking in the woods, and foraging for mushrooms—these are the uplifting, joyful activities I love to share with my tango friends. To my friends, and to the beauty of the world!

​My passion for dance photography began ten years ago when I founded a dance studio in Beijing, training children and young adults in International Latin and International Standard ballroom dance. Although I wasn’t a dancer then, I found my place behind the camera, capturing the energy, elegance, and unforgettable moments of classes, performances, and competitions. Since discovering Argentine tango less than two years ago, I’ve traveled to tango events with my dance shoes and camera, experiencing the dance from both sides of the lens. I love documenting the beauty of the embrace, the connection between partners, and the authentic moments that make our tango community so special.

Yoga enhances strength, flexibility, balance, focus, and awareness—all essential for tango dancers. After five years of attending tango festivals and workshops across the U.S. and internationally, I’ve discovered how yoga can help dancers prepare for and recover from a weekend full of dancing. I’m excited to share these yoga tips and techniques to enhance your tango experience.

I’ve practiced yoga for most of my life, finding it to be an invaluable complement to various physical activities, such as running, martial arts, rock climbing, and hiking, as well as a powerful tool for mental well-being. I began teaching yoga in 2011, offering a
range of styles at local studios in Missoula. For the past ten years, I’ve taught semester-long yoga courses at the University of Montana through the Activity Class Program in the Department of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training.

In 2016, I discovered Argentine tango in Missoula, and it quickly became a passion. I’ve since applied yoga principles to tango, enriching both practices. I also began teaching tango classes and have been offering yoga for tango dancers at the Montana Tango
Festival for the past two years.

When I’m not teaching or practicing yoga or tango, I manage MissoulaEvents.net, the city’s online community event calendar.
I look forward to seeing you at the festival this year!

Louis has been dancing tango and shooting portraiture since 2009, and his work reflects a deep understanding of the nuances of both artistic media. He has a keen eye for both the drama and tenderness that characterize tango embrace, movement, and artistry. With his wife Jennifer (also a tanguera) providing editorial support, they form an uncommon team, able to visually tell the story of a tango event as experienced through the hearts of dancers.

Photography has been a lifelong creative passion of mine, beginning with landscape, wildlife, and astrophotography before expanding into professional portrait and headshot work. After discovering Argentine tango, I found a way to combine two of the things I love most: photography and tango. Over the past two years, I have photographed thousands of tango moments at milongas, festivals, workshops, and performances throughout the community. As both a photographer and an active tango dancer, I understand the flow of the dance and strive to capture the emotion, connection, musicality, and atmosphere that make each event unique. My goal is to provide organizers and dancers with beautiful, authentic images that preserve the memories and energy of their events while showcasing the warmth and spirit of the tango community.

​Loelle Lim, originally from South Korea, has devoted more than 30 years to dance. After training in jazz, Latin, and ballroom, she discovered Argentine tango in 2003, which has since become her lifelong passion. For over a decade, Loelle has been active in the tango community as a performer, instructor, organizer, competitor, and DJ. She has DJed at milongas and festivals across the United States, Canada, and South Korea, bringing dancers together through thoughtfully curated music. Inspired by her experiences in Buenos Aires, Loelle blends timeless Golden Era tango with outstanding contemporary orchestras, while also introducing sophisticated alternative music at Alt milongas. Her carefully crafted tandas create an atmosphere where dancers connect deeply with the music, each other, and the embrace, making every milonga a memorable experience.

Mari Hodges is a certified Alexander Technique Teacher, Art of Running instructor and pain management specialist.
 
She is passionate about empowering people to enhance mobility and performance, discover personal transformation and increase freedom of choice by changing long-standing habits of posture, movement and thought.

Mari teaches anatomy-informed mindful movement, embodied awareness, natural breathing and self-care and self-development skills in addition to pain and stress reduction. Her Alexander Technique training and extensive teaching experiences give her unique insight into human movement and how to help people eliminate unconscious, habitual interferences for greater whole-body coordination, comfort, vitality and calm presence. In group and individual classes, she helps dancers and others “rediscover” integrated movement and mind-body wholeness.

Mari taught and performed Brazilian dances around the world for over 20 years. She has studied and danced tango since 2005 in Buenos Aires, where she lived until recently. She is now based in Montana and is available for individual coaching by appointment.

Mari will be teaching The Goldilocks Zone for accessing postural tone and movement that’s relaxed, engaged and free as you dance tango.

Visit www.DiscoverEase.how for more about Mari and Alexander Technique.