The people behind the embrace
Our Team
Tango Mercurio is an arts education organization presenting Argentine tango as an agent of community development — promoting cultural understanding and social cohesion through ongoing public opportunities for dance, music, learning, and community engagement.
Who We Are
Tango Mercurio is a DC arts nonprofit
Tango Mercurio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has championed Argentine tango as a vital regional force across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia since 2008 — working to break down barriers, strengthen social cohesion, and support community development through local arts education. A seven-member Board of Directors, a small staff of program managers, and a roster of teaching artists, musicians, and outreach instructors deliver our classes, milongas, concerts, and community programs, supported by dozens of volunteers across the DMV area.
Read our full missionGuided by dancers, carried by volunteers
Directors, program managers, and teaching artists — the people who keep the floor open, the music playing, and the embrace within reach of everyone in DC.
Message from the Chair
Tango Mercurio experienced a year of meaningful growth in 2025, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make that possible. We strengthened our financial foundation, expanded our programming, and improved the systems that support our long-term sustainability. One especially significant milestone was that, for the first time in our history, income from grants and donations exceeded income from our Dance Program. This reflects not only organizational growth, but also the trust and generosity of the many individuals, foundations, and public agencies who believe in our mission.
Throughout the year, we continued to grow our work across five interconnected program areas: the Dance Program, Older Adult Outreach / Adapted Tango Program, Live Music Program, Community Dialogue Program, and Community Outreach Program. We formally integrated both the Adapted Tango Program and the Live Music Program into our regular offerings, expanded special public events and community partnerships, and continued to make tango accessible through affordable programming and free opportunities to participate. At every step, our goal remained the same: to use tango to foster connection, creativity, and community.
Warmly,
Jonathan Fernandes
Chair, Tango Mercurio Board of Directors
June 26, 2026
Want to join the work?
We are always looking for volunteers, teachers, musicians, and organizers who believe tango belongs to everyone.