Shawn Koppenhoefer
Teacher, researcher,
perpetual tango student.
Teaching since 1991 has not meant repeating one lesson for 35 years. It has meant enough time to challenge how movement, music and communication are seen and taught.
An unusual path
Movement, music, models — always serving the person.
Born in English-speaking Canada and based in Lausanne since 1991, Shawn teaches in English and French and also works in Spanish. Many extended stays in Buenos Aires shaped his tango.
Because everyone learns differently, he varies how an idea becomes clear: movement, sensation, images, words, floor drawings and sometimes movement or dance notation. Students do not have to learn a notation system.
His years as a violinist sharpen a musical ear beyond counting beats. His EPFL doctorate in computer science and abstract mathematics encourages a fondness for useful models. His personal study of Rudolf Laban’s movement theory helps structure his questions and explore tango. These tools inform his preparation; they do not replace dancing.
Buenos Aires · Sunderland Club
Invited — then invited again.
Twice, Shawn was invited to dance at Buenos Aires’ Sunderland Club, before regulars and elders of the tango community. He performed with Catherine “Cathy” de Mandrot, then his dance and teaching partner.
The DJ was Félix Picherna. Their hosts thanked them with Swiss Swatch watches and a bottle of wine — an affectionate wink to their visitors from Lausanne.
This milestone in Shawn’s path was achieved during their long period of collaboration.
Teaching archive
The themes evolved. The inquiry never stopped.
This earlier brochure shows that balance, posture, walking, expressiveness, musical interpretation, communication, creativity and curves of energy were already part of Shawn’s work. An important part of that inquiry developed during his long collaboration with Catherine de Mandrot, whose contribution profoundly shaped the teacher he is today.