Faculty

Maestro  Ive  Simard

Ive Simard / Impresario- 72 Years of Experience  -  Since 1950


  1. • Professional Tango Master: Dancer, Choreographer, Performer

  2. •Teacher  of  Teachers , who has toured the world eight times

  3. • President and Founder of El Mundo Del Tango, Inc

  4. • Founder and Executive Director of El Mundo Del Tango Academy

  5. • President Founder of Argentine Tango Masters Association (ATMA) 1980  

  6. • CEO of  Tango Del Rey and Tango Del Rey Foundation

  7. • President / CEO of Cabaret Preservation Society ( 501 C3)

  8. • Author of “El Tango Argentino” Syllabi - 12 volumes

  9. • Examiner of ATMA and CDTA

  10. • Responsible for the development of Tango Dance in San Diego since  1993

  11. • International Professional Champion in 10 dances (1977) - Standard & Latin

  12. • Fellow BA / LA, ISTD, London - Dual Member IDTA, England

  13. • Fellow BA / LA, CDTA, Canada - Member of ICBD

  14. • World Class Judge / Scrutineer of OBBD ( British Dance Council , UK)  

  15. • Life Member of Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, England

  16. • Life Member of ATMA (Argentine Tango Masters Association)

  17. • Honored by a resolution passed in the California Legislative Assembly   recognizing his service to the people of the state

Trang  Khuc

Trang Khuc - Owner


ATMA  Master Degree / Examiner


Trang was born and grew up in Vietnam.  After she graduated at 17 years old she became a permanent school teacher at the elementary level for six years.  At that time her hobby was martial arts.  In 1993 she emigrated to America and began a new career as a dental hygienist. 


She studied tango-dance since 2002 with Maestro Ive Simard at El Mundo Del Tango Academy.  Trang is gifted with a still mind.

Being a detail-oriented person with a combination of determination and patience makes her a unique teacher and dancer. Quietness and humility is her trademark. 


In 2008 (after 15 years) she traveled back with the Maestro to Vietnam. She helped to develop the art of tango in her homeland by training local teachers.

Today there is a thriving scene in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. 

Lita Patterson - Emeritus Instructor


ATMA  Master Degree


Lita was born in Manila, Philippines and worked for the United States Naval Base Subic Bay as a Supply Technician for 10 years.  Then she immigrated to the USA and now resides in San Diego where she operates her own business.


She studied Standard and Latin dances with very well known schools and teachers for 10 years. and began her studies at El Mundo Del Tango under Maestro Ive Simard, plus several competent teachers and guest teachers.  In 2008, after completing her Master Program, she turned professional and joined the Argentine Tango Masters Association.


With her great sense of Musicality, Body Rhythm and Inner Power, she captivates her audience whenever she performs.  Lita has a discrete and classy personality, which makes her a “chic lady”. 


As a teacher she is very skilled and instructs her pupils with exactitude and slowness which is a rare quality.  Her love for tango-dance is reflected in all her movements and gestures. 

 

Lita Patterson

 

Richard David Young


Richard David Young -   Office  Manager


ATMA   Fellow Degree


Richard has amassed over 9 years of dance instruction.  Initially studying Ballroom dancing, he progressed into the Argentine Tango when he craved a closer connection with his partners.  Tango therefore, was a natural evolution.


Richard began studying the Tango exclusively, and he now has 6 years of intensive instruction. Although Richard has been teaching at El Mundo Del Tango Academy  for  5 years, he feels he still learns more in every class;  he gets more knowledge from both his instructors  and his students.


With a good-natured personality fully armed with patience,

a remarkable assiduity, and a great sense of humor, he drives     his students straight to the goal : “ Knowing what they are doing”

Mary Manella  - (Dancer & Emeritus Instructor)


ATMA   Fellow Degree


Ms. Manella began Modern Dance in high school and continued study at Kean University in New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Fine Art.  She has also studied Ballet, Waltz, Salsa, and Swing dancing.

In 2005, she discovered Argentine Tango and in the years since she has studied with Tango masters and champions, both locally and in Argentina.  

Currently she dances both socially and for performance, and teaches at Tango Del Rey.  Performance credits include productions with TangoCentric, Tango with Colette, and Tango Del Rey. Now she is teaching at El Mundo Del Tango / Tango Del Rey

Mary’s heart is as bigger than her smile. Gifted by kindness she is always ready to help and support the learner.

Mary Manella

Kirk Parker

Kirk Parker - (Choreographer, Dancer, Emeritus Instructor)


ATMA   Fellow Degree


Kirk Parker has been performing dance since 1991, when he was part of the UCSD Ballroom Dance Performance Team.  Since then, he has performed solo and in companies in many different styles.  Formerly a principal dancer in TangoCentric, under the direction of Susan Lake, where he performed for more than 10 years.  He was an assistant teacher for “Tango with Colette” for 3½ years.  Performances include pieces at The Old Globe, Malashock Dance, City Heights Performing Arts Center, North Park Festival of the Arts, and the La Jolla Arts Festival. Mr. Parker currently studies Tango and Contemporary Modern dance styles and teaches Tango at  El Mundo Del Tango / Tango Del Rey.

Kirk is a silent person with a deep inside voice. Extremely dedicated by nature, with a great sense of observation, he knows exactly  the needs of the students



Dorothy grew up in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles, California, and graduated with a BSN degree from the UCLA School of Nursing.


She has always loved dancing and realized its versatility early on.

In 1983 to 2011 she engaged in many forms of dance(swing, ballroom, latin and country western).


In 2011 she began taking Argentine Tango which has become her dance passion. For her it incorporates all the positive attributes of Mind, Body, and Spirit enhancing body and partner awareness.


Dorothy has a golden patience and unlimited dedication.

Dorothy Howard

Dorothy Howard  - (Dancer & Teacher)


ATMA  Licentiate Degree

Bénédicte grew up in the country of Gabon (west coast of Africa).

From 1980 to 1984, she was a  member of the gymnastic team, Lycée technique Omar Bongo , LVB Gabon.

From 1986 to 1990  she was an aerobic instructor of SPA (System Physical Aerobic).

From 1995 to1997, she was a gymnastic assistant teacher in tha City of Reine (France).

From 2005 to 2006 she was a personnal trainer at Shape Express in Santee.

From 2010 to 2018 she study Tango-Dance at El Mundo Del Tango with Maestro Ive Simard.

In 2018 She got her Certification as a yoga teacher from school of gentle yoga, at Soul of Yoga.


Being extremely talented, Bénédicte  has an obvious inside gift to transmit dance mouvement  knowledge.

Benédicte Desclos - (Dancer & Emeritus Instructor )


ATMA  Licentiate Degree

Bénédicte Desclos