FAMILIJA TANGOVI INSTRUCTOR TEAM
Meet our instructors
Marija has been immersed in the arts from an early age, drawn to dancing, theater, music, and photography. Her journey began with Latin and standard dances and expanded to piano, singing and writing poetry. During high school, her passion for storytelling and performance led her to join youth theater groups, direct theatre plays and performances, and volunteer with children from vulnerable backgrounds. She furthered her dedication to the arts by graduating from the Acting Department of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skopje, where she developed skills in classical ballet and classical dances as well as world folk dances and stage movement.
Fifteen years ago, after finishing her studies, Marija rediscovered her love for dance and encountered Argentine tango, a moment that profoundly influenced her life. Tango captivated her with its elegance, depth, and endless possibilities for exploration. Although she learned the basics quickly, Marija believes the beauty of tango lies in its infinite layers, offering constant opportunities for growth and discovery. Her love for learning and delving deeply into new challenges made tango a natural fit.
Alongside her tango journey, Marija co-founded a dance theater for children and youth with close friends and colleagues. This project remains one of her greatest passions, combining her love for dance and theater to inspire younger generations through creative expression. There she works as an educator, choreographer, director, playwright together with the whole team.
Marija’s teaching career in tango began organically. When the Skopje tango scene was still small and modest, she naturally stepped into a guiding role, helping newcomers and sharing her knowledge to encourage them to join the growing community. Over time, her dedication and passion for introducing others to the magic of tango helped build Familija Tangovi into the largest and oldest tango school in Skopje.
As an instructor, Marija takes a personalized approach, recognizing that each student learns differently. She believes that great teaching requires understanding when and how to provide the right guidance. Marija’s goal is not just to teach steps but to help her students develop a deeper awareness of themselves, their bodies, and their connections with others.
For Marija, tango is a dance of self-expression, a journey of continuous learning, and a gateway to new friendships and experiences. She continues to expand her own knowledge by attending workshops and classes with some of the world’s most renowned tango maestros. Her ultimate aim is to help students overcome the fear of mistakes because, as she believes, mistakes are what make us grow.
At Familija Tangovi, Marija shares the beauty, freedom, and magic of tango with everyone, showing how this dance can enrich lives in countless ways.
She has been a tango DJ for over a decade, curating music for numerous international tango events as well as local milongas.
Zoran has been dancing tango for over 12 years, starting his journey with Familija Tangovi as a student before becoming an assistant and eventually an instructor. Despite having no prior dance experience, his love for tango music and determination helped him overcome every challenge. Over time, he mastered the art and is now recognized as one of the best on the local tango scene.
For Zoran, tango is more than a dance—it's an important part of his life, offering an escape from his busy work and merging his love for traveling, socializing, and making friends worldwide. His students adore him for his easy-going nature, his ability to quickly connect with everyone, and for creating a relaxed learning environment where mistakes are welcomed and shared knowledge flows freely.
Svetlana has always found dancing to be a meaningful part of her life. From kindergarten celebrations and school performances to founding a girl-power dance group, music and movement have been her way of expressing emotions, channeling energy, and finding her place in the world. For her, every dance was a step closer to self-discovery and building self-esteem.
Before entering the world of tango, Svetlana danced Zumba and other Latin-inspired styles. Tango, as many say, finds you at just the right moment—and it stays. Her first encounter with the magic of tango was during her stay in Uruguay, one of tango’s cradles, where dancing became a way to understand history and the emotions of an entire society.
Years later, just when she needed it most, Svetlana stumbled upon a live performance by her local tango community. Seizing the moment, she signed up for lessons. That was 12 years ago, and she has since dedicated herself to continuous growth—exploring not just the dance itself but the deeper philosophy of tango and its connection to life.
Tango has empowered Svetlana, helping her overcome insecurities, strengthen her leadership abilities, and become a better version of herself. Today, as an instructor, she finds joy in sharing her experience and inspiring young people through the art of tango.
For Svetlana, living is tango.
Aleksandra is a passionate tango instructor with two years of teaching experience, though her journey with tango began a decade ago. She also has been exploring other Latin dances for almost 13 years. Aleksandra was initially drawn to tango for its beauty as a dance, but she soon discovered its boundless nature—a world of infinite patterns, techniques, body movements, and, most importantly, self-reflection and self-awareness.
For Aleksandra, tango is a continuous journey of self-discovery. Every step and every embrace is an opportunity to reconnect with oneself and express authenticity in the moment. Beyond personal growth, tango gives valuable lessons about responsibility and connection with others. It encourages acceptance of oneself and others, just as they are.
Tango, she believes, never disappoints. It’s a loyal companion that meets you exactly where and when you need it. Aleksandra strives to share this unique connection with her students, helping them uncover the beauty of tango not only as a dance but also as a way of life.
Helena is a meticulous and passionate Tango teacher, deeply dedicated to both the art of teaching and her own continuous learning. With a commitment to mastering every aspect of Tango, she brings precision, care, and a deep understanding of the dance to her students.
She is currently enrolled in a prestigious Tango academy in Buenos Aires, where her studies encompass not only tango dancing and teaching, but also Pedagogy, Psychology, Tango History, Tango Music, Tango applied Biomechanics , etc.
She is working toward becoming an Argentinian Certified Tango Professor.( Profesor Superior de Tango )
Helena has had the privilege of learning directly from some of the most esteemed and highly respected Tango professors, including Alejandra Martinian, Virginia Pandolfi, Sabrina Veliz, Aoniken Quiroga, Olga Besio, José Garofalo, and many others.
Through her unwavering passion and dedication, Helena inspires her students to not only master the steps but to explore the depths and endless possibilities that Tango offers.
Trajce began his journey with tango in 2014, and it quickly became an integral part of his daily life. For him, tango is not just a dance but a powerful form of expression and a means of connecting with dancers from all over the world. Through tango, Trajce has met remarkable individuals—people he might never have encountered if not for this shared passion.
He believes that tango has a unique ability to convey emotions through movement and embrace, without the need for words. The music composed for tango is profoundly intricate, encapsulating the entire spectrum of human emotions.
In 2019, Trajce ventured into the world of tango DJing during a milonga organized by the tango school Familija Tangovi. With the encouragement of the local tango community, he began crafting his own tango sets, adding a new dimension to his engagement with the art form.
For Trajce, dancing tango feels like speaking a universal language, creating the sensation of knowing a partner for a lifetime. He sees tango as truly extraordinary—a 12-minute embrace can express the story of everything we hold within. This shared experience brings joy, connection, and fulfillment, which fuels his passion for the dance. It’s this sense of belonging and the magic of tango that continues to inspire him every day.
Ivana has been dancing tango since 2010 and has occasionally assisted in teaching beginner classes. Her passion for tango reflects her dedication to fostering community and sharing the art of dance.
In her professional life, Ivana has an extensive background in project management, education, and civic initiatives. She has worked as a project coordinator, associate professor, and consultant, contributing to educational and social inclusion projects, as well as delivering lectures in higher education institutions on financial management, project management, and organizational behavior.
Ivana’s diverse expertise in managing workshops, seminars, and trainings complements her tango journey, where she combines her organizational skills with her love for the dance to support and inspire others.



