Utopia Encuentro 2026 – The DJ’s

Tango Utopia is pleased to present to you it’s DJ’s for Utopia Encuentro 2026! Please see our Encuentro page for event information.

DJ Fatima

DJ Fatima began her tango journey in the UK, where she was captivated by tango’s elegance, energy, playfulness, romance, and occasional quirkiness. Drawn to the rich emotional layers within tango movement, she finds inspiration in its inseparable connection to the music.

As a DJ, her focus is on crafting thoughtful, danceable tandas from the 30s, 40s, and beyond, inviting dancers to explore and express their own tango stories.

Now based in Colorado, DJ FAH DJs for local organizers and at festivals including TTX (Toronto Tango Exchange), Tango on the Rocks (Denver), La Nuestra Tango (Philadelphia), Encuentro Close Encounters (Denver), and Encuentro De Los Peregrinos (Kansas).

DJ Harvey Schwartz

Harvey, a native New Yorker, has been a resident of Washington, D.C., since 1984.  He was mesmerized when he began his tango journey in 2011 and has been dedicated to the music ever since. 

As a DJ, he believes in a miraculous connection with the dancers, and he strives to understand and reflect their feelings through his music.  His library features the beloved orchestras of the golden era, as well as classic selections from the 1930s and 50s.  With his wide-ranging experience, Harvey has been invited to DJ at encuentros, marathons, festivals, and milongas across North America, Europe, and Argentina.  His work has taken him to cities like Durham, Charlotte, Baltimore, Phoenix, New York City, and Atlanta, as well as to destinations in Calabria and Umbria.  Currently, Harvey co-hosts and is the resident DJ for two milongas: Siempre Es Carnaval, and Para Todos.

DJ Kristof Elst

Sabelotodo (Wiseguy) is the stage name of Kristof Elst (NL/BE/US). Kristof started out in tango as a dancer but his background as amateur performing musician and composer meant he was soon taken by the simple and yet complex nature of tango music.

He started collecting tango music and playing local practicas and milongas. He has played milongas, marathons and encuentros in Europe, North America and Asia.

Kristof focuses on traditional tango music from the 1920-1950’s. Music is played from his vision as a performing musician where the music is meant to entertain the dancers. He has a keen eye and ear for the energy on the dance floor. Cortinas are an integral part of the set and help in setting the flow and ambiance of the evening. With his wife Maria, he is also the organiser of an encuentro milonguero “El Encuentro Que Faltaba” in the Netherlands..

DJ Kipp Chynoweth

Kipp discovered Argentine tango on a life-changing trip to Uruguay, where she and her husband, Phil, were instantly intrigued by the embrace, the music, and the culture. What began as curiosity quickly became a shared passion and a meaningful part of their lives.

As both a dancer and a DJ, Kipp treasures the connection that tango creates—on the floor and through the music. She approaches each tanda with care, listening closely to the energy of the room and honoring the rich traditions of the genre. For Kipp, DJing is not just about selecting songs; it’s about supporting the dancers’ experience and helping create moments of beauty and connection.

It is always a true pleasure and a heartfelt honor for her to share music with the tango community.

DJ Mark Mindel

Yulia has been a tango DJ for over 15 years, both locally in Washington D.C. and in various tango events throughout the U.S. She loves to contrast the music texture and emotional charge in a way that drives the crowd to dance all night. She aims to get to the trance-like state where dancers feel safe and inspired. Most recently, Yulia is inspired by the idea of the wave from the 5 Rhythms dance practice and incorporates it in her tango DJing.

DJ Shahin Medghalchi

Shahin’s music style is deeply rooted in traditional Argentine tango, specifically from the Golden Era. As a DJ, she’s known for creating an immersive experience with her tandas since 2001, which cater to dancers of all levels.

Her passion for the genre shines through in her music selection, which is designed to keep dancers engaged and energized throughout the night. Shahin’s style is also influenced by her experience as a tango dancer since 1995 and a teacher since 2003. She’s trained with renowned tango masters from Buenos Aires and has taught Argentine tango in various settings. This expertise enables her to craft playlists that not only showcase the beauty of traditional tango but also captures the soul of social dancers.

DJ Susana

Susana (Eunsook) Kim has been dancing tango since 2011 and began to DJ in her third year of tango.

“My tango trip to Buenos Aires in 2017 became a meaningful watershed in my DJing journey. I especially fell in love with the pleasure of DJing there, making people dance so happily.

“Since then, I have played music at milongas in Seoul and all over Korea and have experienced how different audiences and moods require different sets and flows of tango music. Recently, DJing in three cities in the US in the spring of 2024 was an amazing experience. I couldn’t have been happier with the warm reception and positive feedback to my music. I’m looking forward to expanding this experience in Utopia 2026.”

DJ TBA

Check back for our final DJ announcement!