Meet Ilona Glinarsky
Photo credit: Gloria Plascencia
​Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Ilona is an award-winning dance educator and promoter based in Los Angeles.
Growing up in the former Soviet Union in a family of professional musicians, Ilona was surrounded by dance and music from the age of four. A classically trained pianist, she developed a deep appreciation for rhythm and musicality. Before immigrating to the United States, she trained as an accompanist for dancers with the world-renowned Virsky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, where she discovered her true passion for movement, discipline, and creative expression — qualities that distinguish great dancers from the rest.
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Over the past 27 years, Ilona has expanded her artistic journey through Latin dances — Salsa, Mambo, and, most notably, Argentine Tango. ​​
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Her greatest passion lies in introducing everyday people to Argentine Tango — an extraordinary social dance grounded in connection, mindfulness, improvisation, and non-verbal communication. Ilona sees Tango as a dialogue between two equal partners. Her teaching emphasizes authentic communication from the heart, the ability to trust and surrender, to lead and follow, and to be fully present in each moment — skills essential not only on the dance floor but also in creating conscious, fulfilling relationships in life.
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​​Ilona’s studies in Spiritual Psychology and Life Coaching, along with her yoga and mindfulness practices, further enrich her holistic teaching approach.
For over 25 years, she has taught Argentine Tango at 3rd Street Dance Studio, The Aerospace Corporation, Mattel, and the Agape International Spiritual Center. She is also an 18-year veteran guest instructor at The Music Center (Active Arts) and a performer and educator for the LA Public Library system.
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Ilona is the producer of some of the most beloved Argentine Tango social dance events, including Milonga LAX, The Tango Experience, and the LA Summer Tango Marathon — an annual international event that has brought dancers from around the world to Los Angeles for over a decade.
Her dedication has earned her multiple honors, including the “Excellence in Arts Award” from the City of Torrance & LA County (2024), the “LA Tango Community Builder” Award (2019), and recognition as a finalist in the SoCal Argentine Tango Championship (2018).
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A passionate advocate for social partner dance and community building, Ilona continually finds new ways to share her love of Tango by offering free introductory classes throughout Los Angeles, appearing on radio shows, and promoting dance as a path to connection and self-expression.
Through her teaching, events, and community work, Ilona remains deeply committed to making the world a better place — one step, one dance at a time.
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For class schedules or to book a private session with Ilona, click [HERE].
TESTIMONIALS
Tango, the way Ilona teaches, was a revelation.
I learned things about relationship dynamics in such a direct visceral manner, that the learning has taken root and integrated. I learned that being in the follower role is not passive or submissive, but requires me to be fully present and responsible for my end, yet completely available and responsive at the same time. Her warmth, intelligence and humor make the process a delight.