A rare opportunity for Canberra musicians — in your own backyard.

Join Argentine saxophone virtuoso Jorge Retamoza for a 5-day intensive tango ensemble workshop at the Ainslie Arts Centre — an immersive, hands-on experience designed for intermediate to advanced instrumentalists who want to go deep into the language, phrasing and rhythmic identity of Argentine tango.

This is not a lecture series. You will play, listen, analyse, and play again — working directly with one of the world's leading tango innovators.

WHO IS THIS FOR? Wind players (all instruments), pianists, double bassists and string players (violin, viola, cello) at intermediate to advanced level. All participants must be able to read music. The workshop is ensemble-based — you will perform with the group, not just observe.

SCHEDULE: Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM each day. Total: 15 hours.

LOCATION: Ainslie Arts Centre, 1 Corinna Street, Ainslie ACT 2602

INVESTMENT: $300 AUD per participant. Places strictly limited to 15 musicians. Contact the event organiser for concession rates.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON:

→ Tango phrasing, articulation and rhythmic identity

→ Ensemble listening and interpretation

→ Repertoire: Pavadita, Recuerdo, Oblivion, Libertango, La Cumparsita and more

→ Stylistic analysis of the great tango schools

→ How to approach written tango as an improviser

Scores and reference recordings provided in advance. Bring your instrument.

About Jorge Retamoza With nine albums as a leader, Jorge is the first Argentine saxophonist to record Piazzolla's Seis Estudios Tanguísticos in full for solo saxophone. He has premiered major concert works in collaboration with Saarbrücken Public Radio in Germany and performs internationally as a soloist and ensemble leader.

Contact the host of Canberra: Intensive Tango Ensemble Workshop with Jorge Retamoza (Argentina)