Debbie Goodwin specializes in Argentine Tango. A dancer since childhood, she began teaching and performing this particular dance form in 1996. She studies continuously both here and in Buenos Aires with a variety of renowned Argentine Tango Masters. Debbie’s first classes were with Nora Dinzelbacher. She has studied intensively with Orlando Paiva, Nito & Elba Garcia, Osvaldo Zotto y Lorena Ermocida, Luciana Valle, Miriam Larici & Hugo Patyn, Fabian Salas & Carolina de Rivera, Diego di Falco & Carolina Zocalski, Fernanda Ghi & Guillermo Merlo, Julio Balmaceda & Corina De La Rosa, Gustavo & Giselle Anne Naviera, Sebastian Arce & Mariana Montes. Along with her partner, John Campbell, she developed “Alma Del Tango”, a teaching program dedicated to the art of Argentine Tango currently based in Marin County, California. They offer group and private instruction, workshops, performances and lecture-demonstrations emphasizing the social origins of the dance as well as contemporary social norms in the world of tango.

On a foundation of early training in jazz, tap and musical theater, Debbie earned her Bachelors Degree in Dance from California State University, Sacramento in 1998 and her Masters in Dance Education in 2001. Her Masters Thesis Project, the show “¡Tango! A Story of Sacramento’s Argentine Tango Community” played to sold-out houses in October 2001 followed by ¡Tango! Rhythms of The Heart (October 2002). She continues to create and produce sold out dance productions such as, “Tango, A Romantic Ritual” (Feb 2008 & 2009, available on DVD) and “Tango House” (July 2009).

Before establishing Social Dance Cultures, a non-profit supporting development of community through dance, she developed the highly successful “Rugcutter” dance program in Auburn, California. Focused on adolescents, her classes in social swing, performance skills, jazz technique and choreography for vocal performers were extremely popular. She instilled a love and respect in her students for the social origins of American Swing just as she does for the Argentine Tango by integrating authentic movement, music, and social customs in both her teaching and choreographies.

She is the organizing force behind the formation of the all woman Tango Con*Fusión Dance Company www.TangoConFusion.com where she devotes her artistic attention as a choreographer and featured dancer. In just 6 years since its inception (January 2004) Tango Con*Fusión has performed original choreography in two ground-breaking all-female tango stage shows with live music and international casts (Leading Ladies of Tango – December 2006, Herbst Theatre/San Francisco; and Glamour Tango – May 2009, Logan Square Auditorium/Chicago) On video, Tango Con*Fusión has been featured in a documentary playing on the international tango film festival circuit and on national television networks (Latin Eyes & Univisión). Other projects include the 2nd International Queer Tango Festival/Buenos Aires, the 1st International Queer Tango Festival/San Francisco, and the International Dance Festival/New York City and in modern dance venues (i.e. WestWave Dance Festival at YBCA Theater – August 2008) of the San Francisco Bay Area. The company was recently selected from over 70 applicants from the US and abroad to receive a grant via Dance Mission to premiere Vorágine, a half-evening length work, in the Down & Dirty Dance Series at Dance Mission Theater/San Francisco – January 2010. They have accepted the prestigious invitation to perform at Congress Internacional de Tango Argentino in Buenos Aries this coming March 2010.

John danced leading roles in ¡Tango! and ¡Tango! Rhythms of The Heart, and Tango: A Romantic Ritual. He provided substantial support to both productions. He produced the videos of the shows as well.

John has also appeared several times in Beyond Tango.

John and Debbie have worked together since 1996 developing their own style and  teaching methods. Currently, their dance focus as a couple is on improvisation and refining musicality, lead and follow.

John is an eye surgeon, and managing partner of MarinEyes.