UKATA - A Journey of Passion and Dedication
On 25th May 2020 Dante Culcuy invited 32 teachers /organisers to a meeting to discuss how the tango community might come together to survive the Covid outbreak. On the 29th May the first ever zoom meeting was held for those involved in tango in the UK to discuss how they might survive and move forward. Over the next seven months and several meetings there was consensus that these meetings had been very helpful and it was decided to form a community which could unite anyone who furthered the aim of promoting tango in the UK and to that end on the 11th December 2020 the UK Argentine Tango Association was formed.
From July 2020 to December 2025, UKATA was guided by a dedicated group of volunteers who met regularly—often on a weekly basis—to share their time, passion, and ideas in support of Argentine tango across the UK. Their efforts were truly selfless, driven by a love for the dance and a desire to nurture the tango community, without any expectation of personal gain. Much of this hard work was behind the scenes, but it was essential for the growth and sustainability of the association.
As we now transition into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, we remain profoundly grateful to everyone who has contributed along the way. It is also important that we offer our heartfelt thanks to the members of the association’s management committee and advisors old and new who, since its founding have offered their free time and experience to get us to this point in our development.
Below is a roll of honour listing all those who have made contributions along our journey. They represent a substantial number of our long-established tango community right across the UK and we are grateful for their involvement and the support that they have given. However, a special vote of thanks must go to four members who have been involved since the first meeting in 2020; Tracey Acosta, Barbara Newman, Charlotte Holwell and Tony Glover who have been part of the daily workload, weekly meetings and the fine detail that has brought us to where we are today.
Committees and Advisors
Geraldo Diomar, Dante Culcuy, Bruno Vandenabeele, David Thomas, Leandro Palou, Fernando Guidi, Ali Hartland, Leonardo Acosta, Nicola Preddy, Derek Hartland, Daniel Gini, Flavio de Bruto, Lorraine Kemp, Barbara Aloi, Ieva Kelpsaite, Ricardo Oria, Fillipo Monici, Andy Scott, Chris Teasdale, Charlotte Holwell, Tracey Acosta, Tony Glover, Barbara Newman
Founding members
Ruth Killen, Martin Topping, Patricia Nunn, Elizabeth Knock, Maria Tsatsiana, Samira Ashraf, Gina Nolan, Tom Nickson, Maria Solero, Raquel Greenberg, Janet Earl, Denise Astbury, Shona Barr, Drew Moir, Luciano Brizzi, Myriam Ojeda, Brian Chivers, Graham Guy, Tracie Gooch, Silvia Bivolaru, Sarah Vonthron-Laver, Teresa Keenan, Helen Horne, Colin Ratcliffe, Linda Wilton, Darren Taylor, Brian Chivers, Danny Brunton, Tone Grina, Conni Berrone, Karen Coleman, Sally Russel, Diana Hurley, Wayne Rozier, Julie Cave, Sarah Morgan, Diane Clarke, Bridgitta Roy, Alex Podesta, Steven Rhodes, Yvonne Fisher, Steph Gedderidge, Elaina Smith, Christian Fernandez Perotti, Myra Hales, David Sibbit, Lucy Wishart.
Nito Garcia & Elba Sottile
Carlos & Maria Rivarola
Together, we look forward to the next chapter of our tango community, strengthened by the support and passion of everyone involved.
David Thomas. Chair
If you were at any of the founding meetings and would like to be listed, we would be pleased to add your name to this document. Get in touch with us at members@argentinetango.co.uk