Meet The Creatives
THE CREATIVES
Germán Cornejo
Artistic Director / Choreographer
Germán Cornejo, choreographer & lead dancer of Tango Fire- Flames of Desire Smash Hit, is regarded as one of the world’s best tango show choreographers and dancers today. Worldwide critics such as The New York Times, Ottawa Citizen, The London Times, and Financial Times among other top newspapers have consolidated him as the current “hot young choreographer” and highlighted the excellence as well as the quality of his work.
Germán was born in Zárate, Buenos Aires Province on 31 May 1986, and at the early age of 10 he started studying Tango dancing. At 15, he graduated from Gatell Conservatory of Dance with a honorable Master of Tango degree. During the following years, Germán broadened his skills by studying classical and contemporary ballet, jazz and acrobatic techniques. He then qualified for Master of Choreographic Composition at the National Institute of Arts.
Germán had the opportunity to be trained by a wide variety of teachers; however, the most important one was Nélida Rodriguez, whom he refers to as his “Artistic Godmother”. She was one of the legendary Tango Argentino’s first ballerinas and a star who succeeded in Broadway in the 1980s. She imparted her knowledge of not only dancing but also yeites (“the secrets of the Tango steps”, early XX century Tango jargon).
Regarding Germán’s awards and acknowledgements, in 2003 he won the “Gold New Talent” prize, and in 2005 the “Competition of Gold Dance” at the well-known primetime TV show “Susana Gimenez”, hosted by the most popular Argentine star, broadcast by TELEFE channel and Production Company. After obtaining his first gold medal 1999, Germán went on to win a total of seven of these awards at a series of contests for the youth in Buenos Aires Province and more than 20 first place prizes at national level. In 2005, Germán became World Champion of Tango dancing.
Germán has performed at many famous Tango houses in Buenos Aires including Mambo, Chiquin Buenos Aires and El Viejo Almacén. Also, he has conducted dance performances at some of the most important milongas in Buenos Aires, such as La Viruta, Porteño and Bailarín, Parakultural and Confitería Ideal.
His long list of massive performances includes top rating TV shows in South America: Susana Gimenez, Showmatch, La Noche del 10 (hosted by Diego A. Maradona), Desayuno, Por Siempre Tango, Mp3 Musica del Tercer Milenio, Afectos Especiales, Bailando 2012. Around the world, some of the TV shows that enjoyed his magnificent dancing are: Por el Mundo, Programa do Jó (Brazil), The CW11 Morning News (USA),Fox News (USA), Good Day New York! (New York), Espejo Público (Madrid), Televisión de Cataluña (Barcelona), Sky News (London). Last but not least, Germán’s professional talent was once more highlighted and consolidated in Jennifer López & Marc Anthony’s reality TV show "Q' Viva- The Chosen", where he was winning finalist (USA, Canada and Latin America).
Germán was also a dancer for the productions Bien de Tango with El Arranque Orchestra, Vamos al Tango with Osvaldo Berlingeri (which obtained 4 Starfish prizes), El Viejo Almacén Brazilian Tour together with Ariel Spandrio’s Orchestra, Tango Inferno with Quatrotango, and Tango por La Igualdad.
In 2006, he traveled extensively around Japan to perform Buenos Tangos under Musical Director Fabio Hager. In 2008, he rejoined Tango Dance Premium and Fernando Marzán’s Orchestra.
After years of touring around the world, in 2008 the Department of Culture of Zárate, Germán’s home town, paid homage to him for his outstanding achievements in the show Evocación at the Coliseum Theatre.
Germán was guest dancer and participated in many local and international festivals such as: ''VI International Tango Festival'' (Argentina), ‘’I Santiago International Tango Festival” (Chile), ''Tango Buenos Aires 2011'' (Argentina), and ‘’Grec 2011’’ (Barcelona) to name a few. Renowned theaters which have also showed his art are: Shanghai Oriental Arts Center (Shanghai), Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Malaysia), Badminton Theatre (Athens), Sydney Opera House (Sydney), The Joyce Theatre (New York), Peacock Theatre (London), The Esplanade Theatre (Singapore), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), Luna Park Arena (Buenos Aires), GEBA Arena (Buenos Aires) and Mandalay Bay Arena (Las Vegas), among others.
As previously stated, Germán was participant of the reality TV show “Q’ Viva- The Chosen”, which was a prelude to “Q’ Viva Live” starring JLo and Marc Anthony and directed by the acclaimed entertainment director Jamie King. The final performance, “Q’ Viva Live”, was a box office success at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas in May 2012. Later, in June 2012, Germán joined JLO's once agaian as a special guest artist at her “Dance Again- World Tour”, the first concert at GEBA Arena in the city of Buenos Aires.
Germán was also part of the dance group “Sentimientos Tangueros”, which was under his own direction to perform for the Ex President of Vietnam Tran Duc Luong upon his visit to Argentina. Since then, Germán has been the choreographer of both Mission Tango show under the musical direction of Lisandro Adrover and Tango Inferno- The Fire Within.
To date, Germán’s Tango dance tours have visited the following countries: Germány, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Canada, Korea, Turkey, Malaysia, South Africa, Chile, Singapore, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Philippines. The shows were also extensively performed throughout the USA, Brazil, United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, China, and Japan.
At present, Germán is Director of Choreography and Lead Dancer in Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires which he joined since 2006. He has been a performer in M!longa since 2013’s premiere directed and choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
Regarding choreographing and couching, Germán’s experience has been enlarged by his work with a contestant couple at the Latin America equivalent of Dancing With The Stars, 'Bailando 2012'.
In 2011, Germán's students Max Van de Voorde & Solange Acosta won the World Tango Championship. Other students became 2nd, 4th & 5th place getters. In 2012, Cristian Correa & Sabrina Amuchastegui, and Nicolas Schell & Nair Schinka got the 3rd and 4th places respectively; Ariel Leguizamon & Yesica Esquivel the 9th place, all of them under Germán’s choreography and strict guidance. Finally, in 2013 Nicolas Schell & Nair Schinka became runners-up, and Facundo Ruiz Diaz & Agostina Tarchini got the 7th place.
The fact that many of his students have been reaching top positions at the Tango World Championship since 2006 has made Germán one of the most recognized and requested couches in Buenos Aires. He has become one of the best tango show instructors.
Gisela Galeassi
Assistant Choreographer
Gisela Galeassi was born in Carlos Paz, Cordoba, Argentina in 1983.She got engaged to art from a very early age. When she turned 3, she began to study at a ballet school.
Right after graduating as Teacher of Classical and Spanish Dancing at the age of 16, she went to specialize in tango dancing with the guidance of the finest teachers in Argentina.
Gisela has been awarded at national and international level for both classical and tango dancing: Best Artist at the Ibero-American Exhibition of Dance (1999) and Tango World Champion (2003) which consolidated her as tango dancer.
In 2004, her outstanding talent took her to the position of “Cultural Ambassador of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires” that led her to represent her country around the world.
Gisela’s work has dazzled big audiences at Tango houses in Buenos Aires such as "El Viejo Almacén", "Esquina Homero Manzi", "Cátulo" and the Luxury "Faena Hotel + Universe". She has also performed for celebrities like Kylie Minogue, Sting, John Travolta, Luis Miguel, and others. She has been part of hundreds of dancing exhibitions at some of the most well-known Milongas in Buenos Aires like "Canning", "La Viruta", "La Estrella", "El Beso" y "Parakultural".
Indeed, many renowned theaters, for example, the Colon Opera, Gran Rex, San Martín, Argentino de la Plata, Luna Park Stadium, Sydney Opera House and National Theatre De Chaillot have also been delighted by her art and style.
Last but not least, the many clothing publicity campaigns of “Mimi Pinzón” have been enlightened by Gisela’s beauty and fine feminine traits.
Versatility is one more feature that can be assigned to Gisela’s artistic professionalism, as it is shown in movies such as “Abrazos” (Argentina), “Mundo Lejano y Maravilloso” (Japan); “12 tangos” (Germány), and ''Rubén Juárez-Tango Live'' DVD” at the Argentino de la Plata Theatre in which she performed as leading dancer.
Gisela has participated in top rating Argentinean TV shows: Susana Giménez, Almorzando con Mirtha Legrand, Showmatch, La Noche del 10, Mañanas Informales, and in international famous shows: Dancing With The Stars (Australia), Q’ Viva- The Chosen (USA, Canada and Latinamerica) where she was winning finalists in Jennifer López & Marc Antony's reality TV show. Directed by the renowned entertainment director Jamie King, Q’ Viva- The Chosen was a total success at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. In June 2012, Gisela was a special guest artist at JLO's first concert ever at GEBA Arena in Buenos Aires.
Gisela has joined the tango companies “Tango Pasion” (directed by the renowned Sexteto Mayor) and “Tango Seduccion". She has also been part of the cast in the remake of the legendary show “Tango Argentino”. ''Buenos Tangos-Japan Tour'' (directed by Fabio Hager) and ''One Night in Buenos Aires'' are two more examples of the many performances that make up her solid experience.
Gisela possesses vast experience at some of the most important orchestras in Argentina: Los Reyes del Tango, Sexteto Mayor, Color Tango, Orquesta Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Orquesta El Arranque and Victor Lavallén. She has been both director and choreographer of ''Tango Dance Premium'' (2008) at Fernando Marzan's Orchestra whose performance delighted audiences in Japan for three months.
Because of her tango wide expertise, Gisela has filmed the well-known teaching videos ''Tango Lesson'' (I & II), and she is usually invited to join juries at different regional tango championships in Chile, Spain, Italy and Japan. She was choreographer and tango couch for one of the couples in the Argentine equivalent of Dancing with the Stars: 'Bailando 2012'.
At present, Gisela is leading dancer at Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires which she joined in 2011; also, she is a cast member of Milonga -directed and choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui-.
Her ongoing professional development has allowed her to show his passion for tango dancing around Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania. In Japan more specifically, where she has performed in all of her fourteen visits, she has become one of the top tango dancers.
Ezequiel López
He started his first steps in the Ballet Municipal of the City of Arrecifes. At 15, he continued his studies at the Aida V. Mastrazzi Dance School in Buenos Aires, where he trained in classical and contemporary dance. He then expanded his training with tango, folklore, and malambo classes with renowned teachers from Argentina. In 2008 he made his first Tour with the company "Tango Malambo" directed by Juan Corvalan, and in 2010 he closed the Seven Rugby tournament as part of the Malambo company directed by Kuly Gómez, in the mythical Stade de France (Paris). He has been part of the touring shows: "Che Malambo" in Macau (China) and Dusseldorf (Germány), "Tango Legends" in Toronto (Canada), "Tanguera" in Hamburg (Germány), "Tango Romance" and "Dramatic Tango" throughout Japan.
In 2012 he participated in the reality show "Q' Viva-The Chosen", held in Los Angeles (E.E. U.U.) directed by Jamie King, Jennifer López, and Marc Anthony. Being a finalist in the reality show earned him a place in the live performance at the Mandalay Bay Arena in Las Vegas (USA).
He also participated in the Tv show "America's Got Talent” with ‘Germán Cornejo’s Dance Company’.
He has worked in the most recognized houses in Buenos Aires such as La Esquina Carlos Gardel, Tango Porteño, Piazzolla Tango, Madero Tango, El Café de Los Angelitos, Rojo Tango, among others. He has participated in the Film "Un Tango Màs", which premiered in 2015 at the Toronto Film Festival, and as an assistant choreographer to the show "Stavaganza Tango".
He got the title of World Champion of Stage Tango in 2015. This award led him to participate as a jury in the preliminary of the Tango World Cup in Cali (Colombia). He has been part of festivals as "Sampled" in London (England), "Festival de la Mercé" in Barcelona (Spain).
In 2018, he performed in the closing ceromony of the Tango Festival and World Tango Championship at the Luna Park Stadium, as part of "Germán Cornejo's Dance Company".
He has been part of the shows "Tango Fire" since 2015, and "Break The Tango" and "Tango After Dark" since its begininng.
He has been part of 'Germán Cornejo' s Dance Company' since 2014.
Maia Roldán
She trained in Argentinean folcklore, Ballet, Contemporary, Contemporary Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballroom, and Salsa.
She has participated in TV shows such as Susana Gimenez, La Voz Argentina, and Bailando por un Sueño, as a dancer and coach.
Among her most outstanding works, she took part as a dancer in "Baila" by El Choque Urbano, at the Konex Theater and later on tour, "Peter Pan" and "Simona", both at the Gran Rex Theater, "Stravaganza: Water in Art" and "Stravaganza: Estados del Tiempo" at the Broadway Theater.
She performed at the "Brava Tour" by the famous Argentinean pop star Lali Esposito at the Luna Park Stadium. She has been part of her staff of dancers since 2016.
She is also a member of the CEM company, directed by Analia Gonzalez.
She has choreographed the musical comedy "American Idiot" (Broadway Theater), and "Aladin, Será Genial" (Gran Rex Theater and Luna Park Stadium).
She was selected among hundreds of students for scholarships such as:
-"Summer Dance Intensive" at the Point Park University in Pittsburg (USA), 2017.
-"Un año en Buenos Aires" by Julio Bocca Organization, 2008.
-"International Student Visa Program" by the Broadway Dance Center in New York (USA), awarded by Ashle Dawson, 2018.
She has got several awards: 1st place at the ballroom dance competition "Word Promotions Sheraton" in 2011 and 2012, and 'Best Children's Choreography’ during the theater Argentinean awards "Premios Hugo” in 2018, for "Aladin, Será Genial".
She has been part of 'Germán Cornejo's Dance Company' since 2018.
Edgar Luizaga
Born in Zarate, Buenos Aires, he began his studies at the early age of 5 years in artistic gymnastics. At thirteen, he began his studies in Ballet, Tango, Flamenco, and Contemporary.
He obtained schooling at the Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón.
He was attracted by aerials and studied circus arts in Circo Criollo, La central Buenos Aires. He continued perfecting his skills in Paris and London. Combining his skills and knowledge in Acrobatics and Tango dance, he introduces a new fusion, "Aerial Tango".
At 18 he debuted professionally at "Piazzolla Tango". He participated in many shows like "Tango Porteño", "Copes Tango Copes", "Ballet del Mercosur", "TangoX2", and "Break the Tango", performing all around the World.
He participated with Germán Cornejo D.C. in America's Got Talent (season 12).
Alongside his dance partner Pamela Pucheta, he was invited as Guest Artist to perform at Park Chinois (London), Lío (Ibiza), and the Celebrities Cruises company. They were also invited to participate in Got Talent España (season 6) with the act "Show must go on".
With his brother Leonardo Luizaga (Luizaga Brothers), Edgar has performed in Shanghai and Dubai for international brands like Bvlgari.
He was chosen by Layla Kardan & Denise Faye to co-choreograph and perform at Papillon of Marriott in Dubai-UAE for the season 2021-2022.
He has been part of 'Germán Cornejo's Dance Company' from the very beginning.
Ovidio Velázquez
Keyboard
Ovidio studied at Julian Aguirre Conservatory and Manuel De Falla Conservatory, been graduated in the career of classical piano and Argentine Tango and Folklore respectively.
He continued his studies about orchestration and arrangments with Nicolas Ledesma, Diego Pablo Schissi and Fraguela.
His high quality as pianist of both Argentine folklore and tango, has taken him to several of the most recognized scenarios across Argentina: Jesus Maria Festival (Cordoba, 2006-2009), Cosquin Festival (Cordoba, 2005/2008), Chamamé Festival (Corrientes, 2008), Chaya Festival (La Rioja, 2007), among many other important festivals in Argentina. Also, he performed In Buenos Aires in theaters as ND Ateneo, Astros, Torquato Tasso, Clasica & Moderna, Parque Centenario Auditorium, Belgrano Auditorium, Usina del Arte and Cafe Vinilo, working with the most outstanding artists of Argentinian music.
He was musical director in Tango & Tango Company, Complejo Tango Show, and Balvanera Tango, with whom he toured various cities in China (2013).
He joined some of the most important tango shows in Buenos Aires, like Catulo Tango and El Viejo Almacen.
He is pianist and musical arranger for the quintet "Amadores del Tango" and "Matias Rubino Sextet", recording in December 2014 a live album in Café Vinilo released in March 2016.
He is part of POTLATCH, hybrid musical ensemble that mix subgenres like Indie rock, folk experimental, trip hop and jazz. They have been presented since its inception to date in places like Café Vinilo, Centro Cultural Matienzo and Bariloche Prisma Festival.
In 2015, he was selected among musicians from around the country to be part of the national project "Musica Maestra", directed by Urquiza and Schissi.
Throughout his entire career as a professional musician Ovidio has accumulated own compositions. At present, he is working in the recording of his album.
Gastón Briski
Sound Designer
Gastón Briski’s career and professional development began over 30 years ago.
Worldwide recognition and credits to Gastón’s work in musical plays include:
• Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats (1993, 2001, 2003 2005, 2010)
•Jesus Christ Superstar(1999)
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2004)
• New sound design for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (2005)
• Harold Prince’s The Kiss of the Spider Woman(1995)
• Sam Mendes’ Cabaret(2003, 2004, 2006, 2011)
• Jaimie Lloyd´s Piaf (2010, 2011)
• Mel Brooks’ The Producers(2006)
• Disney´s Mary Poppins and The Beauty and the Beast(1999 thru 2012)
• Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd(2010)
• The Sound of Music(2010 thru 2014)
• Sweet Charity(2004, 2006)
• David Levoux’s Nine(1998)
• The Rocky Horror Show (1994)
• The Full Monty(2002)
• Blood Brothers(1994)
• Claudio Segovia’s Tango Argentino and Brasil Brasileiro (1991 thru present)
• Zorba (2003)
• Victor Victoria (2009)
• High School Musical(2007)
• Fiddler on the Roof (2004)
• and Priscilla(2014)
Gastón’s experience as production sound supervisor can be traced at Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia!, Priscilla, and Addams Family. He was also associate sound designer at Chicago, and sound engineer at Cats, Les Miserables, Nine, The Kiss of the Spider Woman, Beauty and the Beast, The Rocky Horror Show, Blood Brothers, Chicago. Indeed, Briski has joined a number of international touring companies such as Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Milonga.
Charlie Morgan Jones
Lighting Designer
Welsh Lighting Designer Charlie has lit theatre and opera in the UK and internationally.
Opera includes: The Ring Cycle (Longborough Festival Opera, 2019-2024), Gianni Schicchi (Canadian Opera Company), Pagliacci (Søholm Opera), La bohème (Copenhagen Opera Festival), La bohème (Den Norske Opera & Ballett), Tristan I Izolda (Polish National Opera), Aida, Fidelio (Dorset Opera 40th Anniversary Season), Mansfield Park, The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Savitri, Riders to the Sea, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, Venus and Adonis, Actéon, Dialogues des Carmélites (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire), Street Scene (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), Dubai - Rostov - New York (National Opera Studio).
Theatre includes: Passion (Hope Mill Theatre); Derren Brown - Showman, Underground, Cool Rider, The Blues Brothers, Dracula (West End), 71 Coltman Street (Hull Truck Theatre), REDD (Barbican, Lincoln Centre), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Unmasked (The Other Palace), Avenue Q, Gobsmacked!, The Producers, Seussical, James and the Giant Peach (International), Little Shop of Horrors, The Lady Vanishes (UK Tour), 3am (Curve, Leicester), The Snow Queen (Rose, Kingston), Macbeth (Theatre Severn), Bat Boy (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), The Burnt Part Boys (Park Theatre), Love On Trial, And Crocodiles Are Hungry At Night (Bilimankwhe).
Immersive Theatre includes: Inside Pussy Riot, The Time Portal, Capturing The Future, The Golden Needle - Hong Kong (Les Enfants Terribles), An Alien Encounter, The Rainforest at Christmas (Eden Project), The Fabulous Fund Fair (London Fashion Week), Goosebumps Alive (The Vaults).
Sandra Castell Garcia
Executive Producer
Sandra is a Performing Arts Producer, Executive Producer of Germán Cornejo’s Dance Company and Senior Producer of Selladoor Worldwide. She has a Dance degree, Business degree and a Master’s Degree in Cultural Management. She was recently the recipient of the Clore Leadership Programme, becoming a Cultural Leader in her field. Sandra is deeply interested in international artistic research and innovation and committed to developing the performing arts in a global context.
Before joining Selladoor Worldwide, Sandra has worked in various theatres and performing arts venues including Sadler’s Wells, The Place, The Roundhouse, British Film Festival and the Sounthbank Centre. Sandra has extensive experience creating and producing shows and managing tours all over the world, including: The Producers (China Tour), Spamalot (South Korea and UK tour), Flashdance the Musical (UK tour and International), Carlos Acosta (Cuba, Abu Dhabi, UK Tour, Coliseum, Royal Albert Hall), Vamos Cuba! (Cuba, Sadler’s Wells, Birmingham Hippodrome), Sutra (Worldwide Tour including Mexico, Malaysia, Russia, Japan, Chile), milonga (Worldwide Tour including Germány, Houston, Switzerland, France), Dance: Sampled (UK Tour), Acosta Danza , The Associates (Sadler’s Wells), Havana Rakatan (New York City, South Carolina), amongst others. She has worked through the years with some of the most internationally recognized artists such as Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Carlos Acosta and Nitin Sawhney.