Joan Singer never imagined her life would be transformed by a job she almost turned down. Growing up in a small North Carolina town in the '50s, she had limited exposure to Latin America. But a teaching position at a bilingual school in Mexico opened her eyes to a world rich in culture and history.

"Meeting the Mexican teachers changed my life," Joan recalls. "By the end of my first week, I was knee-deep in pre-Colombian history, learning Spanish, and falling in love with Mexico."

Years later, Joan moved to Alexandria.   She immediately formed a string quartet that performed at the Torpedo Factory. The quartet evolved into a chamber music group with piano and flute. On tour in the Netherlands, they met a young Dutchman obsessed with tango who ignited Joan's passion for the genre. "He gifted me audiotapes of his favorite tangos and arrangements," Joan says. "That opened a new musical world for me." Back in Alexandria, she assembled a group to play this music, which eventually solidified into QuinTango.

Over the next 26 years, QuinTango blossomed into an internationally acclaimed ensemble. They've performed at the White House, international festivals, and led artist-diplomat tours across the globe, including Latin America (por supuesto!). Their unique blend of classical chops, jazz harmonies, and intimate arrangements has captivated audiences from the Kennedy Center to the Amalfi Coast. Yet, finding time to work with communities in Alexandria has remained a top priority.

"We believe deeply in the transformative power of the arts," Joan explains. QuinTango partners with local schools, recreation centers, and community organizations, offering Tango/Soccer workshops, dance lessons, and StringTango coaching sessions. Their "Tango without Borders" program at Beatley Library brought together seniors and adult ESL students. Their collaboration with Alexandria Soccer Association combined sports and performing arts to strengthen community ties.

They first worked in Del Ray at the invitation of Dr. Lulu Lopez, principal at Mount Vernon Community School and have since partnered with Mount Vernon Recreation Center, Art on the Avenue, and George Washington Middle School.  When a recent map showed Alexandria divided into four neighborhoods (Old Town, Del Ray, W End and Carlyle-Eisenhower), they were thrilled to be part of Greater Del Ray!

QuinTango's performances are not just concerts; they are intimate, life-changing experiences. The group's repertoire evolves from the talents and personal stories of the members "Regino Madrid, our first violinist, inspired us to include Piazzolla pieces with complex violin solos," Joan shares. "Ali Cook, our bass player who refocused her career from classical music to singer-songwriter, brought her vocals and original compositions into the mix." While undergoing cancer treatment, Emmanuel Trifilio, their bandoneon player, composed new tangos, including a choral piece commissioned by the Arlington Chorale and "VIDA" (“LIFE”), a piece that moves audiences and performers alike to tears. "Our journey from performing classic tangos to creating original, heartfelt compositions reflects our personal and collective growth," Joan notes.

Joan, a Greater Del Ray resident for 48 years, cherishes her community. Her husband's job at the Naval Research Lab brought them to Alexandria, where they raised their children and immersed themselves in the vibrant local culture. From the beginning, the sophisticated, international audience in the DMV area embraced QuinTango. An emotional encounter at the Kennedy Center with a Turkish man who had waited 20 years to hear tango in Washington convinced the group of the universal appeal of their music.

QuinTango continues to dream big. “A city-wide performance that includes all ages and cultural groups could unite the diverse Alexandria community," she believes. The celebration could bring together elementary school string players, professional orchestras, choral societies, church choirs and ethnic bands.  Whether organizing a porch festival in Del Ray or creating new partnerships, QuinTango remains committed to enriching the city's cultural life.

Joan Singer's journey from a small town in North Carolina to leading an internationally acclaimed tango ensemble is a testament to the power of music, the importance of community, and the unexpected paths life can take. Through QuinTango, she has not only shared the joy of tango with the world but also made a lasting impact on her beloved Alexandria.