Building a Tango Family: Tango Maestros Cecilia Acosta & Levan Gomelauri Interview

What does it take to turn five couples on the floor into a buzzing international tango marathon? In this intimate tango interview, maestros Cecilia Acosta and Levan Gomelauri share the twists of fate, cultural bridges, and small daily choices that fueled their journey from a modest practice to a thriving social‑tango community. 🎥 Inside the conversation • Cecilia’s roots in Tucumán and how competing helped a shy dancer find her voice • Levan’s journey from classical composition to improvising emotion on the dance floor • A late‑night cabeceo that sparked an Argentine‑Georgian partnership • Why “we, not I” shapes every decision they make on and off the floor • The power of the embrace (abrazo) and music in forging lasting connections • Lessons learned from competitions, composition school, and thousands of hugs • Staying inspired as teachers, using yoga/art/anything as “extra vocabulary” for tango • Life lessons: patience, connection, and learning to “be silent and embrace” • Gentle advice for beginners: enjoy the process, don’t do it alone 📝 Chapters 00:00:00 “She’s my bandoneon” — intro & welcome 00:00:47 Who we are: dancers, DJs, organizers… all of it 00:01:51 Cecilia: tango as culture, hobby → social tango discovery 00:03:00 Competitions, confidence and facing the stage 00:04:50 Levan: composer to tango, improvisation as creation 00:07:52 How they met in Buenos Aires (and the mistaken cabeceo) 00:16:37 Qualities they admire in each other 00:19:50 What students should really take from class (culture & embrace) 00:24:08 What keeps them inspired as teachers 00:25:37 Cross-training: yoga, bodywork… even maths & painting 00:27:54 Teaching beginners vs. advanced — keeping it clear & enjoyable 00:29:36 Their deeper mission: sharing, respect, spreading love 00:30:50 How the Tbilisi tango community was born 00:33:27 Challenges of growing a tiny scene 00:36:00 From 5 couples to a warm, inclusive family 00:38:21 Values they want in the community today 00:43:23 Life outside tango: game nights, nature, wine-making 00:44:52 What tango taught them about life 00:47:32 Advice for beginners: enjoy, find your buddies 00:49:44 “We” over “I” — an Argentine way of caring 00:52:01 Wrap-up & thanks About the guests Cecilia Acosta — Argentine dancer from Tucumán, regional champion & finalist; moved to Tbilisi in 2017 and grew into teaching, sharing not just steps but culture. Levan Gomelauri — Georgian composer turned tango teacher/musician; founded a local tango band, helped build the community from scratch. Host: Samuel Mann 👉 If this conversation resonated with you, let us know in the comments, like & subscribe — it genuinely helps keep these interviews coming. Gracias & მადლობა!