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Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
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An interview with Cesar Coelho, star of "Swango, the fusion"

by Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
October 4, 2002
New York, NY

About the Author:

With Cesar Coelho
of SWANGO… The Fusion


By Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
October 4, 2002


Cesar Coelho,www.CesarCoelho.com.ar, cesartango@hotmail.com, is a star of Swango…The Fusion (www.swangoproductions.com) at Swing 46, 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, every Thursday and Friday nights, through the month of October, and maybe longer. Cesar is a teacher and performer at Dance Manhattan, NYC (www.dance-manhattan.com). Cesar and Mayte Valdes, his translator and companion, joined me after the Show, outside Swing 46, on Friday October 4, 2002. Also joining us was George Lilly, a Swango fan.


Cesar Coelho dances with Mariela Franganillo

Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

REZ - How did you get involved in Swango?

CC - I met Mariela (Franganillo) a couple of years ago, when we were involved in Forever Tango. Hector (Del Curto) her husband, played the bandoneon. I danced with him playing. Then there was a break in the show.

REZ - How long have you danced Tango?

CC - I have danced Tango for five years. I'm still a student of Tango. I also studied Modern Jazz. My uncle and aunt in Buenos Aires, Noemi Coelho and Rodolfo Olgino taught me Jazz.

REZ - Where are you going with Modern Jazz?

CC - I did a tour of Argentina of Modern Jazz Ballet. I was based in Buenos Aires.

REZ - How many years did you work in Modern Jazz?

CC - I worked for three years, 14 - 17 years old, and then I started with Forever Tango.

REZ - When Swango is completed, what are your plans?

CC - I will return to my country. I have many things to do there over Christmas and the Holidays. This year I will be with my family for the Holidays. For the first 15 days, I'll be in Tampa, Florida for a Workshop and then in Buenos Aires.

REZ - Tell me about your family.

CC - My whole family dances. The Principal dancers of Teatro Colon are Miriam and Oswaldo Coelho. Oswaldo is a real Milonguero, and he gave me the base for Tango.

REZ - And your mother?

CC - I started to dance Ballet with my mother, when I was ten years old. My mother was a children's Ballet teacher.

REZ - Do you attend Ballet in NY?

CC - I take Ballet at Broadway Dance Center, and, at Steps, I take Modern Jazz and Ballet.

REZ - Do you consider yourself mainly Modern Jazz or Tango?

CC - Jazz, for me, is only for stage or rehearsals. With Tango, I like the social aspects.

REZ - What has the Swango experience been for you?

CC - It has been very nice. I have the support to find something different. There is improvisation in each show.

REZ - What was the Argentina experience like?

CC - As a child, I went to many spectacles and shows. I went to Teatro Colon to see Copelia, as a child. My cousin danced as a Principal in Copelia.

REZ - Are you happy here in NY?

CC - In the beginning it was so hard for me. I was moving constantly. Now, I'm settled, and everything has happened here. I'm at Dance Manhattan on Mondays, teaching intermediate and private lessons.

REZ - So, it will be sad to leave your friends.

CC - I will come back. I have many things to do here. First of all, I have to grow up. Each year, I have a different experience. Now, I'm growing up.

For pictures of Swango, please go to the Swango Pics page.

For Robert Abrams' review of Swango, please click here.

And be sure to check out The SWANGO Photo Essay by Lisa Allen

If you would like to take lessons from any of the SWANGO performers, here is the contact information for the SWANGO teachers who have sent us their info to date.

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