Columbia Tango Marathon 2026

Viktor Koshelyev is a Ukrainian musician-clarinetist and concert performer. He graduated from the Prokofiev Donetsk Music Academy, where he obtained a Doctor of Arts degree in clarinet performance. 

For many years, Viktor served as the principal clarinetist in the Donetsk Drama Theater Orchestra and the Municipal Orchestra of Donetsk. From 2011 to 2022, he worked in China, where he was part of the Guangzhou Opera Theater and Concord Music in Shanghai. Viktor conducted masterclasses, gave concerts, and prepared students for orchestral work and entrance exams to music institutions. 

After moving to Canada in 2022 and the United States in 2023, he continues to teach and participate in various concerts.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Javier Sánchez has been playing the bandoneón for over 30 years.

Between 2005 and 2016 he was a member of Latin Grammy Award nominee Rodolfo Mederos Orquesta Típica.

Mr. Sánchez has toured the globe with well-known tango orchestras and tango companies such as Tango Pasión, Tanguera, Tango Emotion (returning to Japan for 5 consecutive years), and many others.

As an active musician in Argentina, Mr. Sánchez played in the most prestigious tango shows of Buenos Aires including El Viejo Almacén, Esquina de Carlos Gardel, Café Tortoni, Piazzolla Tango Theater, just to name a few.

In 2016, he relocated to the New York metropolitan area and started collaborating with a variety of tango groups, among most noted are Aces of Rhythm directed by Pablo Aslan (debuted at Lincoln Center in July of 2017), Pan American Symphony Orchestra directed by Sergio Bušlje (Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.), and the Astoria Tango Orchestra led by Daniel Binelli (11-piece orchestra típica).

In August of the same year, he won the First Prize at the renowned Che Bandoneon International Competition judged by bandoneón legend Victor Lavallén.

In 2018 Mr. Sanchez became Musical Director of Che Tangazo orchestra based in Montreal, Canada, making its debut in July at Tango BA Festival and World Cup.

In 2021, he relocated to Charlotte, NC area and began performing solo recitals at numerous venues in Carolinas region. He recorded a one hour concert from Bach to Piazzolla, which streamed live via TwitCasting (available now in its archives).

Svitlana Koshelieva is a Ukrainian pianist who graduated from the Prokofiev Music Academy in Ukraine with Doctor of Art and Master in Music Degree in Piano Performance. For 8 years, she worked as a concertmaster of academic singing in the class of Honored  Artist of Ukraine, Petro Onchul. During these years, she received awards as the best concertmaster at international competitions such as the 3rd and 5th International Competitions named after Anatoly Solovyanenko and the Ukrainian International Vocal Competition-Festival in 2011.

From 2011 to 2022, she lived and worked in China, at the Guangzhou Opera House and Shanghai Concord Music. She taught piano, conducted masterclasses, and thematic concerts. During these years, she received numerous awards as an outstanding teacher, including the International Competition for Young Pianists named after S.S. Prokofiev (Donetsk, 2013), the Chopin Memorial Competition (Hong Kong, 2017), the 19th International Music Festival (Osaka, 2019), and the Blüthner International Piano Tournament (Qingdao, 2019).

After moving to Canada in 2022, and then to the United States in 2023, she continues to teach students, perform together with her husband, a clarinetist, and organize thematic concerts.

Rocío Leguizamón and Germán Filipeli are internationally acclaimed Argentine Tango dancers, choreographers, and teachers with over 25 years of experience. Recognized worldwide for their elegance, musicality, and artistic vision, they have developed a distinctive style that honors the essence of Argentine tango while bringing it to contemporary audiences.

They have performed and choreographed for some of Argentina’s most prestigious tango productions, including the renowned Broadway show “Forever Tango” by Luis Bravo, with which they toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Their credits also include Fever Tango (as Principal Dancers and Directors of Choreography), Roberto Herrera Company, Tanguera, Estampas Porteñas, Leonardo Cuello Company, Tango Seducción, and the Min-On World Champion Tour in Japan. They have also performed with renowned tango orchestras and taught workshops and master classes at festivals and tango events throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas.

As judges, they have been invited to major international tango championships in Italy, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Their career has also included performances for distinguished events such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as advertising campaigns, including the U.S. commercial for Despegar.com featuring Shakira.

They are the founders and directors of TodoTango Company, based in Miami, where they produce performances, festivals, and educational programs dedicated to Argentine Tango and folklore.

Most recently, they were selected by the FIFA World Cup 2026 to represent Argentina and Uruguay with TodoTango Company during the FIFA Fan Festival Miami. They were also personally invited as a dance couple to perform at Hard Rock Stadium during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup match, representing Argentine culture on one of the tournament’s biggest stages.

Roxana and Cesar, from Argentina, are Professional dancers and Argentine Tango teachers. They have been working together since 2014 and have participated in countless shows. They have taken their skills and passion throughout the eastern United States, giving workshops and shows at various dance schools. They are also the choreographers of numerous shows for many Argentine Producers.

They have been part of great companies, such as Tango Desire Company, Tango Legends, Mora Godoy Tango Company, Tango Genuine and Marcos Ayala Tango Company, making national and international tours. 

They have joined the staff of renowned Tango Shows in the City of Buenos Aires, such as El Gran Cafe Tortoni, Madero Tango, Tango Porteño and currently working in the Viejo Almacén.

They are the principal couple of “Tango The Musical”, a wonderful tribute to Astor Piazolla. In 2015 they were part of Stravaganza Tango, an amazing theatrical show, in which Tango was fused with aerial skills and malambo. They have participated in shows for Argentine television, like “Dancing with the Stars”.

Thanks to their initial training in other disciplines, such as rhythmic gymnastics, aerial silks, acrobatics, modern dances, and a little bit of ballroom dance, they have a versatile and unique dance style that stands out for its flexibility and dexterity.

Jael Rebeca Montilla Noguera, from Barquisimeto Venezuela. Has been dancing for 14 years. Won the eight ronda great night "La Mariposa" in 2015, Tango Therapist certified with Tango Culture Method by the Academia Argentina de Tangoterapia in 2021. Tango teacher and dancer, Certified and recognized by the Embassy of Argentina in Ecuador (years 2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021).

Jesus Matías Aranguren From barquisimeto, Venezuela. Jesus Matias Aranguren has been dancing for 11 years, was a dancer for Venezuela's first competitive Argentine Tango Company, and later became a Tango instructor in Manizales, Colombia.

Working together for 1 year where they have stood out in several competitions:

** Miami Sunshine Tango Festival 2024

Salon Tango

Jack & Jill (Follower)

** ATUSA 2024 (Argentina Tango USA) official preliminary of the world championship of Tango Argentina.

Tango Stage

Waltz

Milonga

** Las Vegas Tango Festival 2024

Tango Stage

Salon Tango

Triple Ace (Tango, Walts, Milonga)

Adagio & Variation

Jack & Jill (Follower)

Roxana and Cesar, from Argentina, are Professional dancers and Argentine Tango teachers. They have been working together since 2014 and have participated in countless shows. They have taken their skills and passion throughout the eastern United States, giving workshops and shows at various dance schools. They are also the choreographers of numerous shows for many Argentine Producers.

They have been part of great companies, such as Tango Desire Company, Tango Legends, Mora Godoy Tango Company, Tango Genuine and Marcos Ayala Tango Company, making national and international tours. 

They have joined the staff of renowned Tango Shows in the City of Buenos Aires, such as El Gran Cafe Tortoni, Madero Tango, Tango Porteño and currently working in the Viejo Almacén.

They are the principal couple of “Tango The Musical”, a wonderful tribute to Astor Piazolla. In 2015 they were part of Stravaganza Tango, an amazing theatrical show, in which Tango was fused with aerial skills and malambo. They have participated in shows for Argentine television, like “Dancing with the Stars”.

Thanks to their initial training in other disciplines, such as rhythmic gymnastics, aerial silks, acrobatics, modern dances, and a little bit of ballroom dance, they have a versatile and unique dance style that stands out for its flexibility and dexterity.

Monica Paz was born and grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her life and experience with Tango is in her blood and memory since she was born. Her father was a tanguero. Her journey began with him.

As a social dancer, even before her 30 years of being a tango professional, she has had the weekly opportunity to dance in the milongas of Buenos Aires. Through the years, her Tango became enriched and her partners improved until she was able to dance with the best milongueros of Buenos Aires. Dancing with them is the highest aspiration for any woman who dances Tango.

Her current classes are exclusively focused on transmitting what she acquired from so many years of dancing with these masters: “Tango es un sentimiento” (Tango is a feeling).

Unfortunately, the way Tango has developed today has become more focused on how it looks, not how it feels. Monica studied in higher education; she earned her diploma as a recognized Instructor of Tango

Dance and History.

Monica has vast teaching experience as follower and leader, and for both she has developed a simple method of learning with which the student acquires solid bases, functional and universal tango that will allow her/him to understand and include the technique soon to develop a personal dance. Monica dominates the technique of the Tango, the Milonga and the Tango Waltz.

She is recognized for her educational capabilities, her pedagogy and for her extensive experience as a Maestra and as a dancer in Buenos Aires (Argentina), in the US and Europe, where she travels on a regular basis, invited to teach workshops, give lectures, to conduct special lessons and to perform.

Monica is the founder of the now familiar Practimilonguero’s interview and MP Tango, her studio at Buenos Aires, both dedicated to continuing the traditions of the tango and passing on their legacy to future generations of tango dancers. In 2012, due to her work, the International Dance Council CID- UNESCO www.cid-portal.org became Monica as member of that council.

Rocío Leguizamón and Germán Filipeli are internationally acclaimed Argentine Tango dancers, choreographers, and teachers with over 25 years of experience. Recognized worldwide for their elegance, musicality, and artistic vision, they have developed a distinctive style that honors the essence of Argentine tango while bringing it to contemporary audiences.

They have performed and choreographed for some of Argentina’s most prestigious tango productions, including the renowned Broadway show “Forever Tango” by Luis Bravo, with which they toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Their credits also include Fever Tango (as Principal Dancers and Directors of Choreography), Roberto Herrera Company, Tanguera, Estampas Porteñas, Leonardo Cuello Company, Tango Seducción, and the Min-On World Champion Tour in Japan. They have also performed with renowned tango orchestras and taught workshops and master classes at festivals and tango events throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas.

As judges, they have been invited to major international tango championships in Italy, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Their career has also included performances for distinguished events such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as advertising campaigns, including the U.S. commercial for Despegar.com featuring Shakira.

They are the founders and directors of TodoTango Company, based in Miami, where they produce performances, festivals, and educational programs dedicated to Argentine Tango and folklore.

Most recently, they were selected by the FIFA World Cup 2026 to represent Argentina and Uruguay with TodoTango Company during the FIFA Fan Festival Miami. They were also personally invited as a dance couple to perform at Hard Rock Stadium during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup match, representing Argentine culture on one of the tournament’s biggest stages.

Jael Rebeca Montilla Noguera, from Barquisimeto Venezuela. Has been dancing for 14 years. Won the eight ronda great night "La Mariposa" in 2015, Tango Therapist certified with Tango Culture Method by the Academia Argentina de Tangoterapia in 2021. Tango teacher and dancer, Certified and recognized by the Embassy of Argentina in Ecuador (years 2018 - 2019 - 2020 - 2021).

Jesus Matías Aranguren From barquisimeto, Venezuela. Jesus Matias Aranguren has been dancing for 11 years, was a dancer for Venezuela's first competitive Argentine Tango Company, and later became a Tango instructor in Manizales, Colombia.

Working together for 1 year where they have stood out in several competitions:

** Miami Sunshine Tango Festival 2024

Salon Tango

Jack & Jill (Follower)

** ATUSA 2024 (Argentina Tango USA) official preliminary of the world championship of Tango Argentina.

Tango Stage

Waltz

Milonga

** Las Vegas Tango Festival 2024

Tango Stage

Salon Tango

Triple Ace (Tango, Walts, Milonga)

Adagio & Variation

Jack & Jill (Follower)

Lola Garnier and Javier Juarez met in Buenos Aires in 2018. Juarez began his career as a dancer in 1977 and subsequently worked in contemporary dance, dance-theater, and tango starting in 1990; his teachers included Mauro Barreras, Diego Riemer, Aurora Lubitz, Sebastian Arce, and Hugo Mastrolorenzo, among others. Lola Garnier started out in ballroom dancing, Salsa, Kizomba, and Bachata before beginning tango with Julio Luque and later with the Padovanis. Lola and Javier perform a tango filled with emotion and imagination, while remaining true to the Argentine roots of the tango embrace. They currently reside in France and run the "Cielo de Tango" school.