We sat down with the man, Danny Staveris, for part one of what hopefully becomes a two part series. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

This episode is marked explicit. 

Vicky Hioureas holds a PhD in Byzantine history from Princeton University. She has been a part of the FDF program since 1991, for which she conducted ethnographic research in villages throughout Greece and in Trapezounta (Turkey), and produced a CD for the last gaida player of the village of Asvestades, Theodosis Logaroudis, called Σμιλεμένη Πνοή. Vicky is the founder of Palaiologue, a clothing company inspired by the traditional folk dress of villages in Greece.

 

Episode Music: The Anemos Music Project

Michelle is a member of the Greek American Folklore Society based in Astoria, Queens. Michelle was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Athens, with roots in Volos, then moved to San Diego at the age of eight. She proudly both Greek and Filipina but for the purposes of this podcast will focus on the Greek American experience. After moving to the US she found community in the St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church and first FDF was in Anaheim 1997 (?) and continued dancing while in grad school with the St Sophia GOC in Los Angeles. When she moved to New York she joined GAFS and is always seeking to build connections across the various religious and cross-cultural organizations. She has taught various age ranges and people of different backgrounds, with a core belief that this dance, this joy, is for everyone. When you dance with Michelle, the circle is always open.

Michelle serves as an organizer and webmaster for GAFS and supports the artistic director Vaia Allagianis and president Anastasia Tsantes. The organization is completely run by volunteers, and at times seems raucous and it is a miracle and a blessing. Like many organizations out there, Greek dance is a labor of love. I thank Vaia and Anastasia and all our volunteers and dancers for showing up every week.

We have the benefit of a legacy of dance research from Paul. We have the institutional knowledge from Vaia and Anastasia. We have the proximity to Greek cultural and religious organizations in Astoria. We have the luxury of not aligning directly with a church or syllogo. We are an independent folklore society that has survived for 41 years and we can only continue to grow by building more connections and showing up. Just like you. Thanks for showing up every day and opening the door.

About GAFS: https://youtu.be/Eb81baTEBds?si=DiG-mqh59kKSHiOY

http://www.greekamericanfolkloresociety.org/

IG: GreekDancewithMichelle

Episode Music Credit: Yiannis Mandas

Haralambos (Harry) Koutroumanis was born and raised in Tampa, FL, and moved to Charlotte, NC, in 2023 after graduating from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Finance. His folk dance research primarily focuses on the island of Crete.

Harry gained interest in Greek folk music and dance through the Cretan Sillogo of Clearwater in 2017, and also began dancing with the Hellas Dancers of Holy Trinity Clearwater. Despite having no Cretan origin, he fell in love with the sound and style of Crete. He attended his first HDF in 2018 with Hellas Dancers, and competed with them at FDF 2019. He later joined Afieroma in Gainesville and competed at HDF from 2022-2023. He is currently a co-instructor for Charlotte’s adult HDF team, Filodoxia.

Much of Harry’s initial knowledge of Crete consisted of the typical Pan-Cretan, modern style of dance, which has been widely adopted as “Cretan Dance”. After attending FDF, he began to realize that Cretan dance has deeper roots than the typical 5 or 6 “Dances of Crete”, which spurred him to begin questioning what he had learned of Greek Dance in general. Harry began collecting research on the customs and traditions of Crete, with a primary focus on the Noumo of Rethymno. He traveled to Crete in the summer of 2024 to conduct his own first-hand research on the area of Rethymno.

His goal as a researcher is to preserve village-specific idiosyncrasies in dance and music, and to study how the same dances from the same areas have evolved over time. Harry emphasizes the different styles of dance and music, primarily within Crete, throughout specific timeframes and how they’ve changed.

To contact Harry for research support 813-455-3665

Music Credit: Alexandros Papadakis

Charlie Kleto was born in Charlotte NC and is now living in Miami FL working as a physical therapist. He began dancing in Charlotte when he was in kindergarten and competed in his first HDF in 7th grade. Charlie began directing in 2011 and took his first group to compete at HDF 2012. While directing for Holy Trinity in Charlotte, he was also competing with Thrylos in the advanced senior category. Over 6 years ago Charlie moved to Miami for graduate school and very soon began directing the high school group at St George in Hollywood FL. 4 years ago, Charlie created Filiki Etaireia, the adult dance group in South Florida with dancers from Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton Florida. HDF 2025 will be his 4th competition with Filiki Etaireia in the advanced senior category. He enjoys long walks on the beach and dancing in the rain.

Jersey born and SoFla raised, Chloe started folk dancing at the age of 15 with the Kamaria Dance Troupe at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL under the direction of Stephanie Balaskas and later, Emmy Louvaris, and competed at her first HDF Competition in 2007 in Clearwater, Fl. She continued on to direct her first festival group during her undergraduate years at Florida State University at the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church in Tallahassee, FL. 

In 2013, Chloe moved to Charlotte, NC where she joined the Thrylos Dance Troupe under the direction of Sarantos Kaperonis, competing at both HDF & FDF; whilst also directing festival & HDF competition groups at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

While, her specific dance research interests focus on the refugees from Asia Minor, Turkey, & Eastern Thrace, her passion for Greek Folk Dance centers around the love and respect of community. 

“Dance is love. Dance is connection. I have made some of the best friendships of my life through dance, going to workshops, and attending HDF!” 

You’ll find Chloe announcing - your group potentially- on the HDF stage, or shouting “yaaaassssss” off stage. She’ll also make her return to the directors chair for this upcoming competition in 2025! 

When she’s not on the dance floor, Chloe owns and operates her MedSpa suite, The Iron Orchid Aesthetic Haus, in Cornelius, NC…….while also waiting until the last minute to pack for every HDF weekend. ✌

IG: @chloesavvidesofficial @ironorchidskin

Michael is a native of Knoxville, TN, a self-taught luthier and a lover of Crete. Join us as we chat about his experience and learn how he got to know and love Crete and its culture! You can find Michael on Instagram @mchambers_00

Episode music: The Anemos Music Project

We are thrilled to kick off season 7 of the Syrtos podcast with Charissa Gianos from Denver, CO! Thank you Charissa for your patience as we navigate a new recording set up for season 7!

Don't miss the Kefi at Mile High Dance Workshop and Glendi, September 20-22, in Denver, CO!

Also, be sure to listen to the entire episode to learn about some of the amazing CDs Charissa has recorded.

Charissa Gianos is the Director of the Denver Dynamis Hellenic competition dance group, and Vice Chair of the Hellenic Dance Academy, a.k.a. HDA, a ministry established at the Assumption of the Theotokos Cathedral in Denver, CO under the guidance of Fr. Jordan Brown. She has been actively dancing in the Denver dance group since she was 10 years old, performing at all their festivals and other city venues, and began instructing younger groups at her church at 17 when their dance instructor moved to California. She's always had a passion for Greek Dance, coming from a very musical family who always sang and danced Greek, even in their home growing up. Throughout her dance career she remained steady in the church's program, taking a hiatus while having two children, and started instructing again when her son began middle school. She taught throughout his middle/high school years, and then continued with her daughter's middle/high school years. Eight years ago she established their competitive dance group, Denver Dynamis Hellenic who has successfully competed at HDF with a group between 17 - 20 dancers of which her two kids are a part, winning Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards! The HDA Committee established a beautiful mission statement, which embodies the ethos of what Greek dance means to our ministry: To Instill Our Greek Orthodox Faith through Prayer, Almsgiving and Worship; To Continue the Tradition of Hellenism from our amazing Greek Heritage in Orthodox Youth and Adults; To Embrace and Value Traditional Greek Folk Dances and Authentic Costumes throughout Greece through Music, Song and Fellowship.

Charissa believes Greek dance brings Kefi to one's life, which in a deeper sense joins us to the rich heritage and beauty of our Motherland Greece. Greek dance is good for the heart and soul, and when hands are entwined together in dance, a bond takes place creating connection between people and producing an amazing richness of joy. 

Zito O Horos!!

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PARAKLESIS to the Pantanassa (Mother of God)

Healer of Cancer 

2023

NEW Cd Release:  “Paraklesis to the Pantanassa, Healer of Cancer”.  This latest release of the Akathist to the Mother of God is for all people to pray for healing of cancer and all diseases.

This Paraklesis Cd is a full Paraklesis Service. The Service is taken from the Greek Service sung in Greek by the monks from the Monastery of Vatopedi. This is the latest of Charissa Gianos’ three Cd’s, having also recorded:

First Cd release:  “Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children” in 2009

Second Cd release: “Akathist to the Mother of God, Healer of Cancer” in 2015

About the Chant:

The music is Byzantine Chant sung in English by Fr. Chrysostomos Gilbert, Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in NYC, and Charissa Gianos.  Charissa Gianos is a parishioner at Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver and has sung on several Cds including each of Fr. Apostolos Hill’s Cds, as well as all five Cds produced by the Denver Choir under the Directorship of Dr. James N. Maniatis, being featured as a soloist. She also recorded with Eikona on their Cd: “Abundant Mercy, The Polyeleos”. Charissa has also written three Orthodox children’s books: “Yes! Christouli Loves Me”, “Yes, The Theotokos Loves Me!”, and “Yes, We celebrate Pascha!” All Cd's are streaming and can be found on several platforms.

 Featured on this Cd are: Katerin...

Niko, born and raised in the Kansas City area, his mom is an immigrant from Greece, and has always made Greek culture important to Niko and his sister. Niko plays Cretan lyra, and bouzouki. He works as a paramedic and firefighter.

Episode music: The Anemos Music Project

The Metropolis of Boston Dance Group (MYDG) is a not-for-profit Greek folk dance group founded in 1989 by Niki Dimotaki-Sokolove under the auspices of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios and is the only dance group in North America certified by the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre of Athens, Greece.

The mission established by founder Niki Dimotaki-Sokolove and His Eminence was to instill the culture and tradition of Hellenism and the appreciation of this great heritage in the Greek Orthodox youth of the Boston Metropolis through fellowship, learning, folk dances, and songs. The program of instruction was designed by Kiria Νίκi to emphasize the authentic aspects of Greek folk dance, including music recorded with regional instruments and costumes hand-sewn by ελληνοράφτες.

Today, under the direction of Dr. John Pappas, the program strives to maintain the established mission and uphold the authenticity of our heritage while building upon the foundations set by Niki Dimotaki-Sokolove and His Eminence.

Kefi Conference 

The Metropolis of Boston Dance Group is thrilled to announce the first ever international dance conference in Boston which will take place October 11-14, 2024. Participation from multiple states in the US and regions of Canada are expected to attend. 

Dance workshops will be led by instructors from Greece who preserve the authentic styles of the dances of their region. 

Metropolis of Boston Dance Group Instagram

Kefi Dance Conference Instagram

Kefi Dance Conference Facebook

Episode Music: Manolis Kottoros

Yia Mas is founded by Greek American Kristina Maria Headrick. After witnessing the effects of Greece's devastating financial crisis on friends and family, Kristina felt compelled to share more about the country's culture and support Greece by bringing Greek wellness products to America. 

Yia Mas marries Kristina's Greek upbringing with her research on Greek philosophy, dance, design, and culture. Kristina's curiosity and appreciation for self-inquiry inspire her to share Greek folk remedies and ancient traditions and promote Greece beyond the usual diaspora narrative. 

Kristina holds a degree in history from the University of Virginia. She has extensive experience studying yoga and meditation (200-hour RYT, 100-hour meditation teacher training with Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Science, 75-hour training with Katonah Yoga, and the Mentorship program at Sky Ting Yoga in NYC). With a background in writing and digital marketing, her work attempts to bridge the gap between our increasingly digital realities and tactile experiences. She balances digital work with teaching movement and meditation, including in corporate and co-working space settings in New York City. 

Instagram:

@yia.mas

@kristinadelphi

www.yia-mas.com

Episode music: Manolis Kottoros

Kaeli McEnteer was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina and has been Greek dancing for 15 years. She has just begun directing, having just concluded her first year as director of the Raleigh adult dance troupe “Ischis”. She grew up heavily involved with her home parish of Holy Trinity where her passion for dance was unlocked. Over the years Kaeli has expanded her knowledge of traditional dance through her former directors, going to HDF, doing her own research, attending workshops, and getting involved with other parishes. Kaeli is extremely passionate about dances from the region of Thrace and also enjoys the islands. Outside of Greek dance she is currently a Doctor of Physical Therapy Student.

Today we sat down with Vikki and Lefteris from Dionysos Hellenic Cultural Society to talk about their group and the upcoming Greece in the Rockies Hellenic & Cultural Dance Conference. www.greeceintherockies.com for more information!

 

Episode music: The Anemos Music Project

Andonis Platis is the adult director for Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society based out of Chicago, IL. A seasoned cardiac medical device professional, he began his career as a perfusionist and researcher in the field of heart failure while also teaching for the community of Saint Demetrios in Tucson, AZ; his hometown. His “καταγωγή” is from the Axaia region near Aigio and Kalavryta. Since college, Andoni found Greek dance as a passionate hobby with on-going research and field studies with particular attention to the Aegean and Ionian islands.  His particular interests lie in the role of the female lead within song and dance as well as mentoring aspiring instructors through research guidance and leadership skills. He has attended numerous workshops in America, Canada and Greece, conducted field research and been a part of FDF/HDF since the age of 12. He is married to Elpida and has 3 children, Georgia, Yianni and Areti.

Zaharoula Zogopoulos was born in New York City. She began her Greek folk dance studies while attending the St. Demetrios Day School of Astoria, NY where the love of Hellenic traditions was instilled in her from a young age. She began choreographing her highschool Greek Dance Team and performed with the Pan-Macedonian Association of New York. Parallel to her Greek folk dancing, she continued to train in classical dance in NYC. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, Theater, Dance and Choreography from CUNY Queens College, where she was awarded the “Farah Marcellus Award for Outstanding Choreography”. Zaharoula also holds a Master’s of Education Degree, certified in Elementary Education, Early Childhood, and Dance Education (K-12).

She founded the Greek Dance Program of the Archangel Michael Church in Long Island in 1999. Since then, the program has grown exponentially. Zaharoula has presented her work in many Hellenic cultural and charity events. The Archangelos program has also participated in the Parathosi Archdiocesan Competition of NY since 2017. In 2020, her dancers participated in the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival (FDF) for the first time. Zaharoula continued directing for FDF, and most recently competed in the Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) in 2023 making Archangel Michael Church the first church from New York to compete in such national competitions.

In her classes, she strives to create a warm and safe space for all children to feel inspired and learn the beautiful Hellenic customs through song and dance. Her mission remains to continue learning and growing as a dancer, director, researcher and choreographer. Zaharoula continues to conduct her research in Greece/US as authentically as possible with renowned dance experts as well as village elders and locals.

Episode Music Credit: Manolis Kottors

Michael grew up in Salt Lake City, UT and from the age of 8 is where he discovered his love and passion for Greek Dancing. Fast forward over 20 years later, Michael still has that passion. Michael has participated in the GOYA dance groups, Dionysios College aged dance group, and the Minotavros Cretan dance groups in Salt Lake City. After his time in the youth groups was complete, he has since became an instructor for the youth dance groups to pass on the traditions to younger generations and hopes to keep the tradition alive for many years to come!

Michael is also heavily involved with his church community by volunteering at the Greek Festival, and most recently serving on the Parish Council. His love for his faith and culture were inspired by his parents and grandparents.

Watch the 11th Day Documentary here

Episode Music Credit: Manolis Kottoros

Nektarios S. Antoniou, is the new Principal Cantor of the Ascension Cathedral, Oakland, is a member of the American Academy of Composers, Authors and Publishers, writes & produces Music for PBS' "The Life of Loi". He is the Founding & Artistic Director of Schola Cantorum (which recorded the encyclopedic: “A Story of the City: Constantinople-Istanbul” with a Grammy Award winning and nominated cast). He produced, curated the Byzantine Music for the "Augmented Realities Series" for the Behrakis Galleries, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Arvo Pärt’s haunting O Holy Father Nicholas at the MET Museum (including being featured in 13 Pop Up concerts). He was the convener, conductor and soloist for the UCLA/USC's acclaimed "Byzantine Soundscapes". He taught Byzantine music at Hellenic College for ten years, and Directed the Department of Greek Music and Chant at the Conservatory of Northern Greece/ Conservatoire de Thessalonique. He returned to the US as Principal Cantor and Director of Culture at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral. At Yale he was awarded the University's ISM Director's Prize, conducted, directed and presented cultural programs; the CREDO concert for Jaroslav Pelican and introduced the Summer Iconography Studio. He has authored, edited and translated several books and catalogues including Maestro Dimitri Mitropoulos’ Autograph Notes with Dr. Nicholas Zervas of Harvard.

Polis Ensemble: Hellenic Sound

Polis Ensemble: Calanda (Music Art Lab, 2023)

Maria and Nikos sat down with Stacie and Stavros, competition and FIT chairs of the Hellenic Dance Festival to chat about HDF2024 and more! For more information please visit www.hellenicdancefestival.com and hdf_weekend on Instagram and Facebook.

https://www.hellenicdancefestival.com

To learn more about the South Florida Greek Film Festival, including sponsorship information and how to submit a film, visit: https://hellenicculturalsocietyofsouthflorida.org

Saturday October 14

• Savor Cinema: 503 SE 6th Street, Ft Lauderdale
• 6:00pm red carpet
• 6:45pm movie 123 min
• Followed by reception sponsored by Souvlaki.gr (http://souvlaki.gr/)

Eftihia: The story of songwriter Eftyhia Papagiannopoulou (1893-1972), who escaped the burning of Smyrna and journeyed to Athens, Greece, where she became a major figure in Greek popular music. Her lyrics have become some of the greatest and most timeless hits, such as "Perasmenes mou agapes", "Oniro Apatilo", "Ime aitos horis ftera”, "Iliovasilemata", "I fantasia", "Ise i zoi mou", "Mandubala", "St ‘ Apostoli to koutouki", "Petradaki, petradaki", "Mou spasane ton baglama", "Dio portes ehi izoi" ("To telefteo vradi mou"), "Rihte sto giali farmaki”.

Direction: Angelos Frantzis

Screenplay: Katerina Bei

Starring Kariofilia Karabeti, Katia Goulioni, Pigmalion Dadakaridis, Thanos Tokakis and Dina Michailidou

Sunday October 15

Savor Cinema

• Savor Cinema: 503 SE 6th Street, Ft Lauderdale
• 2:00 PM

"Venizelos: the struggle for Asia Minor”

Eleftherios Venizelos, one of Greece's greatest statesmen, faces challenges that test his diplomatic and humanitarian skills during the critical decade from the Balkan Wars and World War I, up to the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. His struggle is told through dramatized scenes, rare archival material, and expert interviews.

Nikos Dayandas is a Greek director, writer, researcher, editor, and producer who has worked on international co-productions for broadcasters such as NATGEO, ARTE, and ZDF. He also collaborates with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.

Episode Music: Panayiotis League

Ο Στέφανος Πελεκανής, ο νεαρός καλλιτέχνης της Παράδοσης που ξεχώρισε και αγαπήθηκε για τις ιδιαίτερες ερμηνείες του αλλά και το ξεχωριστό ηχόχρωμά του είναι ένας νεαρός ερμηνευτής της παραδοσιακής και εκκλησιαστικής μουσικής, φιλόλογος και μουσικός που τιμά την παράδοση και έχει ήδη συνεργαστεί με σπουδαία ονόματα στο χώρο της παραδοσιακής μουσικής κάνοντας περιοδείες σε ολόκληρη την Κύπρο και έχει εμφανιστεί σε διάφορες τηλεοπτικές και ραδιοφωνικές εκπομπές σε Ελλάδα και Κύπρο.

Γεννήθηκε στις 3 Φεβρουαρίου του 1987 και από πολύ μικρή ηλικία ασχολήθηκε με την μουσική κάνοντας μαθήματα πιάνου, σολφέζ, θεωρίας της μουσικής, αρμονίας και βυζαντινής μουσικής. Συμμετείχε σε διάφορες μουσικές εκδηλώσεις και χορωδίες και μόλις το 2020 αποφάσισε να ασχοληθεί επαγγελματικά με το τραγούδι.

Τον Ιανουάριο του 2022 κυκλοφόρησε τον πρώτο του προσωπικό δίσκο «Τα ποιητάρικα – Η φωνή της Κύπρου» με συμμετοχές από τον χώρο της Παράδοσης, όπως Κυριακού Πελαγία, Μιχάλης Χατζημιχαήλ, Χαμπής Αχνιώτης κ.α. Έχει κυκλοφορήσει επίσης δύο digital albums με ζωντανές ηχογραφήσεις αγαπημένων παραδοσιακών τραγουδιών αλλά και επιλογή βυζαντινών ύμνων. Το 2023 κυκλοφόρησε επίσης δύο επανεκτελέσεις παραδοσιακών τραγουδιών με πειραματική προσέγγιση συνδυάζοντας είδη μουσικής. Βρίσκεται στα σκαριά η δεύτερη δισκογραφική του δουλειά με δικές του συνθέσεις σε στίχους του Μιχάλη Χατζημιχαήλ.

Stephanos Pelekanis, a young artist, who honors tradition, renowned for his special interpretations, and distinctive vocal tones, is a performer of traditional and church music, philologist and musician. He has already collaborated with great names in the field of traditional music touring all over Cyprus, and has appeared on various television and radio shows in Greece and Cyprus.

He was born on February 3, 1987. From a very young age, Stephanos was involved in music, taking lessons in piano, solfège, music theory, harmony and Byzantine music. He participated in various musical events and choirs, and it was only in 2020 that he decided to engage in singing professionally.

In January 2022, he released his first personal album "Ta poitarika - The voice of Cyprus" with contributions from the field of Tradition, such as Kyriakou Pelagia, Michalis Hatzimihail, Hambis Achniotis, etc. He has also released two digital albums with live recordings of many favorite traditional songs, as well as a selection of Byzantine hymns. In 2023 he  released two remakes of traditional Cypriot songs with an experimental approach combining genres of music. His second record, with his own musical compositions to lyrics by Michalis Hatzimichail, is in the works.

Gabriella Papatzimas, born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, has always had a strong connection to her Greek heritage. Growing up in the Greek community at Holy Trinity in Phoenix, she embraced the language, culture, and traditions from an early age. As a first-generation Greek-American, Gabriella’s first language is Greek, and she takes immense pride in her roots.

After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Arizona State, Gabriella embarked on a career in Real Estate Tech as a People Manager.She also dedicated her time as a Greek School teacher for 11 years, helping younger generations stay connected to their heritage. When not teaching or working, she dedicated her time to Greek dancing which became a great love of hers from the moment she could walk and has since been immersed in the dance program for 28+ years.

In 2009, she embraced the role of a Greek Dance Instructor (shoutout to her first group, Seismos). Three years later, in 2012, she proudly took her first group to the FDF, accompanied by her godbrother, Niko Panagiotakopoulos, representing Holy Trinity Dance Program - Phoenix. Since then, she has been taking groups to competitions year after year. Building upon her passion, she embarked on a new venture in 2022, joining forces with Evangelos Tsagaris to bringing Arizona representation to HDF with the Assumption Dance Program.

To Gabriella, Greek dancing is more than just a hobby—it is a vital way to preserve and celebrate her heritage. She firmly believes that Greek culture should be cherished and passed down, regardless of where people call home. Through her involvement as an instructor, Gabriella Papatzimas tirelessly works to ensure that Greek traditions thrive by attending workshops in the United States and spending weekends doing research with her co-directors.

Niko Panagiotakopoulos was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona where he studied Electrical Engineering and is now a licensed General Contractor. While his father was born in Athens, his grandparents were from Peloponiso in Tripoli, Patras, and Pyrgos keeping him connected to his Greek heritage!

Niko has been involved in greek dancing from a young age at Holy Trinity Cathedral, dancing since he could walk, and being the crazy kid running around his mothers dance practices while she spent years as the program director. Niko’s first FDF was at 8 years old I’m Pasadena and he has only missed one year since then, and started attending HDF as well in 2022! His last year dancing as a student was also his first year as an Instructor in 2011.

Since 2011 Niko has attended many workshops from California to Charlotte, bringing instructors like Joe Graziosi and Jordan Elrod to Phoenix, and visiting Greece every summer seeking out workshops and panegiria. In 2017 Niko took the helm as the Program Director at Holy Trinity and has loved growing his community and keeping his culture alive!

Episode Music: The Anemos Music Project

Katherine Papadimitriou Ladikos was born and raised and still lives in Atlanta, GA. At the age of 4, she and her brother Dimitri were dragged from Saturday Morning Cartoons to meet with a woman named Eleni that would teach them Greek Dancing inside the dining room of a restaurant. Who knew from both sides that one simple dance of Kastorianos would take a full day to master and turn into a lifetime of love for Greek Folk Dancing.

Katherine & Dimitri would perform their duet for a few years and started learning new dances with the older group that their Mother Kiki Papadimitriou had joined. The journey began with performances at Greek Festivals and Events all over the Southeast and many travels to the infamous Winter Dance Conferences learning from many International instructors from Dora Stratou & Lykeion Ton Ellinidon and National instructors who still grace the world of Greek Dance today. Troupe Hellas would eventually introduce several groups incorporating all ages from age 5 and up and eventually Katherine and Dimitri would be dancing and performing with their peers and parea.

Katherine was very dedicated to the world of dance and would help make costumes, assist with teaching, and taking roles on the board and in 1995 Troupe Hellas would evolve into the Lykeion Ton Ellinidon Atlanta and the sad departure of their long time director Eleni as she moved out of the country and would now become more involved. The group was like a fine wine and grew better and better over time. Eventually events, festivals, and dance conferences would turn into competitions at both FDF and HDF.

Katherine and Andrew knew each other since little kids but it was the dance group and the tight bond of their parea that would bring them together and marry in 2007 which is around the time when Katherine stepped back from dancing due to a genetic retinal degenerative disease which was making it most difficult to learn and perform. Although Katherine is not physically involved in teaching and performing her heart beats and feet don’t stop moving for Greek Folk Dance. Their sons Kosta and Stefanos are both in the dance group and both Katherine & Andrew are proud to cheer them on, sneak in a dance here and there, all while making new memories and reminiscing about the good ‘ol days.

If you liked this episode, please consider making a donation in Kat's name to the Foundation Fighting Blindness:

https://donate.fightingblindness.org/webdonation

Episode Music: Endasi Live in Miami

Kostas Mitsis was born in 1975, in Munich/Germany and moved to Preveza/Greece in 1976, where traditional dance and music held a significant role in his everyday life. He studied Agriculture at the Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki and Greek Dance and Songs at Lykeion ton Ellinidon of Athens and several other institutions. He speaks Greek, English and German.

Kostas has devoted his career to the rich musical and dance traditions of Greece. He is involved for 36 years in the traditional realm as a folk dancer as well a dance instructor, presenting his work on Greek music and dancing traditions in seminars and symposiums in 26 countries around the World.

Kostas has been active in traditional singing since 2002 and covers a wide repertoire from all over Greece. He has worked and continues to collaborate with some of the most renowned folk musicians of Greece.

He has appeared and conducted performances twice at the Herodes Atticus Odeon at the Acropolis of Athens, at the Athens and Thessaloniki Concert Halls, at the ancient theater of Dion the ancient odeon of Nicopolis and many theaters and concert halls around Greece and the World. Kostas is touring every year in America, Canada and Europe performing at various festivals and concerts of the Greek Diaspora. He has appeared on the Greek TV several times to the most renowned TV shows as well as in numerous radio shows in Greece, America, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Germany.

In 2011 Universal Music Greece has released his CD “A Piece of Greece” with the 16 most renowned Greek folk songs. He also organizes annually the biggest folk dance seminar in Greece in Preveza area the first weekend of July.

Contact Info

Cell: +30-6972-972-957

Email: mitsisk@gmail.com

Social Media

Facebook Page: Κώστας Μήτσης - Kostas Mitsis, www.facebook.com/kostasmitsis.gr

(50.000 followers, Leading in Greece among the Folk Singers)

YouTube: Kostas Mitsis, www.youtube.com/kostasmitsis (36.500 subscribers, Leading in

Greece among the Folk Singers)

Instagram: kostas_mitsis

LinkedIn: Kostas Mitsis

Twitter: Kostas Mitsis

Episode Music Credit: Kostas Mitsis

Efstathios 'Steve' Pilidis is the Director and Youth Advisor for the Pan Macedonian Youth Dance Group of Philadelphia. Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, former dance instructor for numerous GOYA dance groups as well as active participant with the Macedonians for over 20 years with the goal of preserving Hellenism and the Orthodox faith for future generations in our community.

Meredith Panayotopoulos was introduced to and fell in love with all things Greek dancing and culture in college when she met her husband George. She spent 10+ years dancing, directing and co-general directing in San Jose, California. She was blessed to be invited with her dance group to Florina in the summer of 2015, where her love and passion for passing on the beautiful traditions of Greek dance and customs was deepend immensly. From the start she had an affinity for costumes and all of their beautiful and intricate detail work and has been able to use skills learned from childhood to help build costumes for the groups she has been involved with. She had to take a step back from directing as her family grew and currently she and her husband enjoy incorporating many of the beautiful έθιμα και παράδοσεις they have learned over the past 20 years through the years in how they raise their family.

Dimitri Carabas is a Composer currently living in Astoria, Queens. He attended The University of Nevada Las Vegas where he earned a Bachelors in Classical Music Composition. There, his writing focused on Post-Romantic and Minimalist styles. With a growing interest in merging Classical writing and Electronics he set his eyes on a Technology degree after his Undergrad. It was in Valencia, Spain where he would earn a Masters in Music Technology, Production, and Innovation from the Berklee College of Music. During this program he focused on Synthesis, Electronic Production, and Video Production.

It is his intention as an artist to tour an ensemble, combining instruments from the Classical tradition with Synthesizers and striking visuals. 

Dimitri is the director and founder of Meraki Folk Dance New York, a successful independent dance group in the New York City area.

@Merakifolkdancenewyork

https://www.dimitricarabas.com/meraki

We sat down with dance giants to record the first installment of our dance etiquette series. Unofficially we like to call this 'don't be a D on the dance floor'. It's an episode where we bring the voices of many to table to discuss dance etiquette and how the culture in the United States may have influenced dance culture.

A giant thank you to our panel guests:

Stacie Zoumberakis

Aris Yortzidis

Dimitrios Dallas

Joe Graziosi

Episode Music: Endasi

We sat down for a great conversation with Maria Koulouris Glanz and Christos Pantieras of Ethos Greek Folklore Association based out of Ottawa, Canada. They shared with us their journeys in Greek dance, and how Ethos is supporting the preservation of Hellenic Folklore today. You can learn more about Ethos using the link below. Maria and Christos, we loved having you on, and can't wait to chat again about some of the deeper topics that did not fully make it into this episode.

https://www.ethosgreekfolklore.org/about

Episode music provided by Endasi

Rania Samartzis- born in NYC, moved to Athens, Greece until I was 8 yo, then moved to Port Richey, FL and currently living in Palm Harbor,FL. My mom is from Kastoria (Macedonia) and my dad is Athenian (his mom from Smyrna & his dad from Thiva). 
I started dancing when i was in school in Greece as part of the school curriculum, then when we moved to Florida with my family, i joined the local church dance group with my brother. As my brother went into college, the group did not have a college dance group so he ventured out to the next local dance group - in tarpon Springs.. Levendia! I joined him shortly after. I have been a part of Levendia (of the St. Nicholas Dance Ministry) for about 15 years now. This year teach the middle/high school group along with Mike. I’ve taught the High School/College groups for several years and this year I also help with the adult group with Maria Kouskoutis as the main instructor.

Nomikos “Mike” Kambourakis 
Born in Kalymnos, Greece - raised in Tarpon Springs, FL! Greek folklore has been a part of my life since I was a baby. My great grandfather Nikitas Tsimouris played the Tsampouna and would play all the time accompanied by his wife (my great yiayia) Nomiki and his 4 sisters singing at the house. I started dancing with Levendia in the first grade and was hooked since as it “ran through my veins” and ive been dancing since. This year I am teaching the middle/high school group of the St. Nicholas Dance ministry.

Music courtesy of Panayotis League

Joe Kaloyanides Graziosi, from the Boston area, has done extensive research on regional dance in Greece and among Greek communities in the U.S. Drawn to Greek music and dance from a young age Joe was an enthusiastic participant in the Greek church dance and New England area community music scene and danced and taught in the Boston area amateur dance groups “Helios Dancers” and “Meraklides” in the latter 1970s after returning from a semester abroad program in Greece in 1975 where he did dance research under the guidance of the noted folklorist Ted Petrides, concentrating at the time on the dance traditions of the Greeks of Anatolia. He has taught throughout the world for community groups and at major folk dance camps, including the Balkan Music and Dance Workshops since 1982, and has taught regularly with Greek performing groups throughout North America. He was a co- founder of New York's Greek American Folklore Society (GAFS) along with its director, Paul Ginis, where he taught throughout the decade of the 80s.

Joe has taught and introduced people to Greek dance in Taiwan, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and England and has taught regularly in Japan since 1990 where he will be returning this summer of 2022.. He has served as judge and advisor for the west coast Greek Orthodox (San Francisco Metropolis) Folk Dance Festival (FDF) since 1984, as well as judge and advisor for the Atlanta Metropolis’ Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) for 20 odd years. He is, along with Ahmet Luleci, co-founder of the annual World Music & Dance Camp, now in Iroquois Springs, NY and in its 26 the anniversary year, 2022.

He was co-director and organizer of the 1982 Greek Music Tour sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, The Ethnic Folk Arts Center of NY and the New York State Council for the Arts which brought together major exponents of regional traditional folk music from both Greece and the Greek American communities. In conjunction, he was co-author and co-editor of the accompanying booklet “Greek Music Tour” and consultant for archival recordings of participating musicians. He is also a contributing author to the 2019 book “Greek Music in America” edited by Tina Bucavalas and published by the University Press of Mississippi. During the 1990s and early 2000s Joe was co-organizer and co-host, along with former FDF judge John Lulias, of several tours to Greece, with a concentration on local culture, cuisine, music and dance. Since the onset of covid he has been teaching a weekly on line Greek folk dance class via zoom. Joe produces CD compilations of hard to find regional folk dance music.

His contact information is, email: horoswithjoe@yahoo.com and cell phone: 508-415-4345

The man who needs no introduction, 54Thirty himself, joined me on this week's podcast. We had a good time talking about Greek dance and 900 other things. Enjoy!

We had an absolutely amazing time with the Zoumberakis family! Don't miss some outtakes at the end of the episode!

Check out Stacie's bio below:

Anastacia (Stacie) Zoumberakis has been involved in The Metropolis of San Francisco’s Folk Dance Festival Ministry for over 30 years.  Starting her Greek dance career at 7 years old, she continued dancing for 20 years, ten of which were with the Olympian dancers. 

She has directed for over 20 years, including groups of all different ages, including adult groups with her husband, Stelios Zoumberakis, who has been a dance judge at FDF (Greek Folk Dance Festival hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco) and HDF (Hellenic Dance Festival hosted by the Metropolis of Atlanta). Throughout the years she developed a passion for all regions of Greece. She has participated in various symposia around the world, including Mazoxi in Crete, Yasoo! Symposiums in Seattle, and various symposia in Northern and Southern California. She currently has extended her knowledge of dance by helping dance groups through Southern and Northern California and providing them with resources for dances,  music, and costumes. Currently, her passion continues through judging at HDF for the last 5 years and helping directors from the Atlanta diocese.

Mrs. Zoumberakis specializes in many areas of Greece, with a concentration in Crete, the Cyclades, the Dodekanisa, and Thrace.  A founding member of the Long Beach Greek Dance and Cultural Arts School, she helped write the by-laws that are upheld today, making it one of the most successful dance programs on the West Coast.  Acknowledging the need for directors, she helped implement a mentoring program in 2004 for young dancers who had an interest in directing.  Since that time, she has helped train over 30 new directors in Long Beach, fostering a wonderful directing team that has learned about teamwork and the importance of instilling our culture and the love of Greek dance to our youth. This program continues with her “students” becoming mentors for the next generation of directors.

John Peppes was born in Athens, Greece, and came to America at a young age. He was raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida – a community populated largely by individuals of Greek descent, allowing him to be exposed to the Greek culture all throughout his youth. At the age of six, John started dancing with the St. Nicholas church dance group. Years later, this group would eventually become the Levendia Dance Troupe in Tarpon Springs, Florida under the direction of John Lulias.

In the summer of 1983, something clicked and Greek dance quickly became a passion for him. Throughout the 1980s, John was fortunate to participate in workshops taught by instructors with similar passion as his. He credits much of his influence to such people as, Dr. Mary Coros, Paul Ginis, John Lulias, Joe Graziosi, George Mavropoulos and the entire Dora Stratou program as well as Ted Petrides.

John is currently a Board Member and Director of KYKLOS Hellenic Society, a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Michigan. The group includes participants from twelve Greek communities in the Detroit Metropolitan area. He recently took over the youth dance program at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor and also hosts a monthly Hellenic Cultural Night for adults to be exposed to the traditions of dance.

His hobbies also include history, traveling and golf. John can be contacted via email a jpeppes214@gmail.com

Caterina Vasilaki was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She has been dancing ever since she can remember herself. At first following her yiayia and aunts at various panigiria in the Epirus region (homeland to her mother) during the summer vacations and then taking ballet classes in Athens. Then she got in touch with Latin dancing and how dance can be a part of everyday life in a trip she took in Latin America. As a kindergarten teacher employed by the Greek state she moved around different areas in Greece where she participated in local Greek dancing groups. A special time for her was when she was stationed in Crete where she became a member of the dancing group ‘Viglatores Chania’ that also became her chosen family. Her time in Chania has been an inspiration to her later development as she moved to Qatar and continued her dancing activities as a dance teacher and organizer of the Greek folk dancing group in Qatar. In 2021 she received her MSc degree in dance studies from the School of Physical Education and Sports of the University of Thrace.

Music and dance have always been an important part of Karolina Ketsiou’s life. At 5 years old, in Melbourne Australia, she took modern ballet and tap dancing lessons.  Her original Greek dance experience was learning the steps to kalamatiano, zorbas, tsamikos and other Greek dances that featured at weddings, christenings and other occasions. When she went to Cyprus she took Greek and Cypriot dance lessons. She was soon invited to be a member of the dance team that performed in hotels and restaurants, for tourists from all over the world, as well as at festivals and celebrations in local villages. When she arrived in Qatar, she mourned the loss of Greek dance, but within months, her love affair with Greek dance continued, thanks to a very special and committed group of proud Greeks, who welcomed her warmly into their dance family.

IG: GreekFolkDancingQatar

Bobby Garofalis is the Director of the Hellenic Youth Dancers at Saints Constantine and Helen in Newport News, Virginia. With over 35 years of experience in Greek dance, he began as a dancer in 1990 and rose to become choreographer, director, and now lead administrator — overseeing 4–5 active youth and adult groups, including the award-winning troupe Enosis.

Widely respected for his expertise in the dances of Pontos, Thrace, and the Dodecanese, Bobby’s deepest connection lies with the traditions of Crete — a passion first sparked in 1985 while studying at the Xirouhakis Dance Studio in Chania. Over the past decade, he has worked closely with master instructors to revive lost village dances, including a 2020 suite from Rizinia, Chania featuring Rizitika songs — performed for the first time in the U.S. and honored with the Folk Expression Award at HDF.

From 2019 to 2025, Bobby focused on refining the distinct Syrto style of Chania, training American dancers to perform with authentic precision. That work culminated in Enosis earning first-place honors in the advanced categories at both FDF and HDF in 2023.

Most recently, Bobby has turned his attention to the underrepresented region of Bafra in Pontos, debuting its unique traditions at HDF in 2025. His mission is to give voice to Greeks whose stories fall outside the mainstream — preserving their music, steps, and spirit for a new generation.

Bobby’s latest passion is mentorship: offering guidance and support to Greek dance groups and young directors across the country. Whether through workshops, collaboration, or one-on-one coaching, he’s committed to helping the next wave of leaders carry Hellenic dance forward with skill, integrity, and pride.

With 34 HDF medals — including 20 platinum — and a 2012 Director of the Year award, Bobby continues to see Greek dance as more than performance — it’s a lifelong journey of heritage, identity, and community.

Episode Music: Endasi Live in Miami

Panayotis (Paddy) League is a performer, composer, ethnomusicologist, and author specializing in the traditional music, oral poetry, and dance of the Greek Aegean islands (as well as Northeast Brazil, the West of Ireland, and the wide world of electric guitar music). He focuses in particular on the violin, laouto (steel-string lute), and tsambouna (goatskin bagpipe) music of Kalymnos and Western Crete, performing and recording throughout Greece and the diaspora and publishing widely in academic and popular journals and online spaces. His book Echoes of the Great Catastrophe: Re-Sounding Anatolian Greekness in Diaspora, recently published by University of Michigan Press, explores the legacy of Late Ottoman intercommunality in the music and dance practices of the descendants of Greek refugees from Asia Minor. Panayotis is Assistant Professor of Musicology at Florida State University and serves as Director of the Center for Music of the Americas. He was recently named a Master Artist by the Florida Folklife Program for his work developing and disseminating the art of Kalymnian vocal and instrumental music in his home community of Tarpon Springs, Florida.

James A. Notopouolos Collection of Modern Greek Ballads and Songs

https://mpc.chs.harvard.edu/notopoulos-collection-1/

Modern Greek Studies Association

https://www.mgsa.org/

Episode Music: Panayotis League, Michalis Kappas nd Irene Karavokiros

Panayotis (Paddy) League is a performer, composer, ethnomusicologist, and author specializing in the traditional music, oral poetry, and dance of the Greek Aegean islands (as well as Northeast Brazil, the West of Ireland, and the wide world of electric guitar music). He focuses in particular on the violin, laouto (steel-string lute), and tsambouna (goatskin bagpipe) music of Kalymnos and Western Crete, performing and recording throughout Greece and the diaspora and publishing widely in academic and popular journals and online spaces. His book Echoes of the Great Catastrophe: Re-Sounding Anatolian Greekness in Diaspora, recently published by University of Michigan Press, explores the legacy of Late Ottoman intercommunality in the music and dance practices of the descendants of Greek refugees from Asia Minor. Panayotis is Assistant Professor of Musicology at Florida State University and serves as Director of the Center for Music of the Americas. He was recently named a Master Artist by the Florida Folklife Program for his work developing and disseminating the art of Kalymnian vocal and instrumental music in his home community of Tarpon Springs, Florida.

James A. Notopouolos Collection of Modern Greek Ballads and Songs

https://mpc.chs.harvard.edu/notopoulos-collection-1/

Modern Greek Studies Association

https://www.mgsa.org/

Episode Music: Panayotis League, Michalis Kappas nd Irene Karavokiros

With over 35 years experience as a dancer and 20 years as a dance instructor, Aki’s passion and knowledge for Greek dance has been a large part of his life. His goal is to learn, teach, and preserve Hellenic dance and culture by passing on his knowledge to others. His philosophy entails a holistic approach to teaching and showcasing authentic Greek dances and traditions to all generations and audiences.

He began his teaching career as secondary instructor for the Greek School and Romiosyni’s women’s division in 2003. In 2005, he became one of the senior division instructors of Romiosyni Dance Group which he currently teaches. He is also a member of the Greek Community’s dance committee which oversees all Greek dance-related initiatives in Halifax. He is also a mentor and guide for the instructors in the group.

Aki received training in Canada and Greece through various dance seminars and has been involved with dance research in and out of the field. Despite that he has a vast knowledge of dances from all over Greece, his Pontic background motivated him to learn and research the dances and traditions of his papou. Other areas of specialization include dances, traditions, and songs of Peloponnisos (his other “home”), Kriti, Naxos, Anatoliki Romylia, Evros (Thraki), Makedonia (Drama, Serres, and Florina), Sarakatsanoi (Polites), and the Vlachs of eastern Makedonia.

Outside of dance, Aki works in the field of online learning and specializes in qualitative research, instructional design, curriculum development, faculty development, training, student success, and adult learning. He has taught as a secondary education teacher and as part-time faculty in higher education. Currently, he is a PhD student (in Educational Studies) at Mount Saint Vincent University where he is continuing his academic research on helping faculty shift their pedagogical practices towards learning-centred teaching. In the second half of 2022, he is also planning to conduct academic research related to Greek dance and culture which he hopes to publish.

When he is not working or hitting the books, he spends time with his family, plays soccer all year round, follows his beloved Olympiacos, and is obsessed with everything Star Wars!

Diesi  is  a  traditional  Greek  band  based  in  Montreal  and  consists  of  Panagiotis Bakalis  (Clarinet,  Flute, Tsambouna),  Harry  Karavitis  (Violin,  Vocals),  Panagiotis Bournakis (Laouto), and Chris Darsaklis (Percussion).

The  members  of  Diesi  each  developed  an  appreciation  for  traditional  Greek  music from a young age due to their involvement in traditional Greek dance groups. Through performances and seminars, they developed a network of contacts, which includes many renowned figures of the Greek traditional dance and music scenes. Under the guidance of such individuals, Diesi began developing a musical repertoire spanning all of Greece while remaining attentive to the details of the local musical traditions and styles. On their various trips to Greece, Diesi always tries to meet with locals in order to learn and document specific musical repertoire as well as to learn the musical history, intricacy and influence of each specific region.

Over the years, Diesi has had the opportunity to perform at various cultural events, seminars  (Laografia  2011-2019,Koinonia  2015-2019  Sinantisi  Prevezas  2014  and Vimata 2012), dance shows, performances and “glentia” throughout Canada and the United  States,  while  also  collaborating  with  various  artists  from  Greece  in  the process. Diesi has also been featured on local Greek programming and partaken in various international festivals including the Festival des traditions du monde de Sherbrooke (2012) and performances at local festivals in northern Greece and the Peloponnese. Diesi has also collaborated with several traditional dance groups including La Troupe Folklorique Grecque Syrtaki (Montreal), Paradosi Hellenic Dance Company (Toronto), Romiosyni Dance Group (Halifax), Dionysos Dancers (Edmonton), The Odyssey Dance Troupe (Ottawa) and Krasoxori (Oresteiada, Thrace, Greece) to name a few. 

Since 2013, Diesi has also been participating in the annual FDF dance competition organized by the Metropolis of SanFrancisco, playing alongside various dance groups and musicians from the United States, Canada and Greece. 

Contact Information

Facebook: Diesi Montreal

Instagram: diesi_mtl

E-mail: Diesi.Montreal@gmail.com

Phone: (514) 969-8474    [Harry]

Paul Calzada was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL before moving to Hollywood, FL at a young age. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from University of Florida and is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Engineering from there as well. He is a "Gruban" (Greek Cuban) American; His father is from Cuba and his mother's parents are from Greece, specifically Kremasti, Rhodes and Agrosikia, Pellas (Pontian roots). He began his dance journey in Hollywood, FL from a young age in elementary through high school under the direction of different instructors: first Anna Karan, then Aleko Sofianos, and finally Jordan Elrod. All of whom taught him various aspects of the Greek folk music and dance tradition. This group in Hollywood, Klironomia, performed at various local and metropolis functions including festivals, fundraisers, and the Hellenic Dance Festival for many years, winning various awards.

In university, he desired to bring the same fervor for Greek dance to his college town in Gainesville, FL by directing the Greek American Student Association dance group with UF. The group labeled the "UF GASA Dancers" performed at various university and local functions. He then founded the Afieroma Greek Dance Program at St. Elizabeth Greek Orthodox church in Gainesville in 2018 to bring the dance community into the church. He is currently director of the college age group and enjoys teaching various dances from all over Greece with great emphasis on the Dodecanese. The group attended its first HDF in 2020, competing and winning awards in the Senior category for its Agios Dimitrios, Karystos, Evia and Monastiraki, Drama performances. Paul greatly enjoys being able to teach authentic and unique content while dancing with his closest friends.

His contact information is below:

Paul Calzada

Email: paul.calzada@ufl.edu

Peter has been dancing since the age of 6 within various cultural associations in the Greater Montreal area. Since 2001, he has been dancing exclusively with the performing group, La Troupe Folklorique Grecque Syrtaki (Montreal). He began teaching within La Troupe Folklorique Grecque Syrtaki beginning in 2006 with dances from all regions of Greece. As of 2008, he began more extensively researching dances, ethnographic data and music related to our traditions and created a personal audio-visual library which has grown to over 650 seminars, hours of locally recorded documentation of villagers dancing and in excess of 10,000 traditional music albums spanning all musical repertoires of Greece. Over the years, Peter has served as director of the group on numerous occasions for the dance company’s yearly program and on the preparation of special presentations/shows including one tour of northern Greece (2013) and the dance troupe’s participation on the Greek national TV show “Όλοι οι καλοί χωράνε” hosted by Kostas Hardavelas.

During his time in the dance group, he also developed a program for the development of the youth dance groups spanning from ages 5 to 16. He directed the senior dance group of The Dodecanesian Association of Canada “O Colossos” in Montreal from 2006 to 2014, where he focused primarily on dances and traditions of the Dodecanese and other Aegean islands.

Peter has taught dance seminars in Montreal (private and public), Ottawa (The Odyssey Dance Troupe), Winnipeg (Kefi Dancers of Manitoba) and as well as in California (Los Angeles – St. Sophia, Koinonia Seminars, Pasadena – St. Anthony). He continues to offer guidance and resources to other directors within Canada and the US on a consistent basis for various presentations and dance competitions.

In the summer of 2009, regularly attended the practices of the Women’s Lyceum of Athens (Λύκειο των Ελληνίδων Αθηνών). Since 2012, Peter has worked extensively on learning and applying the systematic analysis and teaching of Greek traditional dances as taught within the Physical Education (Traditional dance specialization) program in Greek universities [Τ.Ε.Φ.Α.Α.].

In 2015, Peter was recognized at the 9th Gathering of Friends and Tradition in Preveza, Greece for his contribution in the preservation and continuation of tradition abroad as a dance instructor, musician and organizer of cultural events such as Laografia Hellenic Cultural Conference.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Peter has attended a number of online workshops learning from other instructors in Greece and having various exchanges on the state of tradition in its local environment and our role in preservation and teaching others on the same subject matter.

In addition to Seminars-Workshops attended, Peter also sits as a chairperson for the Laografia Hellenic Cultural Conference held biannually in Montreal. In addition to helping organize and coordinating the event, he has headed the selection of instructors and musicians over the last decade, bringing him into contact with many of the most knowledgeable instructors and talented musicians from all throughout Greece.

Panagiotis (Peter) Bournakis

E-mail: panagiotis.bournakis@live.com

Episode music: Diesi

Evan and Maria sit down, in person, for the first time ever to record this episode of Syrtos. It's a little bit motivational, a little therapeutic, and a bit punch happy. Thank you all for your support for Season 1 of the Syrtos podcast!

Dimitri Papadimitriou is a native of Atlanta, GA. His dance and music journey began at the age of five. Under the direction of Eleni Apostolakos-Hopes, his knowledge and love for dance grew like wildfire. He and his sister were some of the first and youngest children in the community to perform with the adult dance group. Through the years, he has attended seminars around the US learning from instructors such as Joe Graziosi, Nikos Zournatzidis, Lazaros Hatzipanayiotou, Christos Papakostas, Kyriako Moissidis and many more. In his early twenties, he took on the role of director of the adult dance group of the Atlanta community and has been teaching since. Under Dimitri’s direction, the group has performed for various events around the Atlanta area and southeast. Similarly, the group has enjoyed continued growth and success by way of several medals at HDF and FDF including the 2007 FDF Division 1 Sweepstakes award in Ontario, California. Codirecting with Sandy Papadopoulos, Troupe Hellas was one of the first groups from the East coast to ever win the award. 

Dimitri was also born with a passion for music. His mother paved the traditional music path by starting him in dance. His father, lead singer and bouzkouki player in the Alpha Omega Sound band, encouraged his growth as a percussionist and enrolled him in lessons with reknowned drummer, Jerry Fields (the Hampton Grease band) when he was 13. Dimitri later joined his father’s band at 17 years old. His traditional dance music path began at age 16 when he bought his first daouli from percussion legend George Gevgelis while visiting in Athens, Greece. Since, he has been self taught and continues to learn and play traditional Greek percussion instruments. In the early 2000s, he met lifelong friends Dimitrios Dallas and John Themelis and formed the music ensemble Endasi. Along with other friends, musicians and collaborators, Endasi still performs today. 

Dimitrios Dallas began his musical career at age 10 when local Chicago legend Vasilis Gaitanos pulled him on stage to play bouzouki during one of his live performances. Since then, Dallas has learned to play the violin, laouto, klarino (clarinet) and tsabouna (Greek island bagpipe), among other instruments.

He plays in several traveling bands throughout the United States, including Endasi, Zephyros Quartet, To Kreitikos Stavrodromi and Ormi Orchestra.

He has also served as the Director of Perifania School of Hellenic Music and Dance since 2007.

Episode Music: Endasi Live, Miami 2020

John grew up listening to Greek, Armenian, Turkish and Arabic music, and was interested in the sounds of the Balkans and Near East. Over the years, he has learned to perform on countless musical instruments from all parts of the Balkan/Near Eastern world. Of all of these instruments, the laouto, violin and tsampouna, have been his main focus, learning to recreate the strumming and playing style of the Cyclades, Dodekanese, Crete and the Mainland of Greece. He has performed throught the USA, Canada and Greece with the likes of Nikos Oikonomidis, Nikos Hatzopoulos, Nikos Sofos, Mavrothis Kontanis and the Maeandros ensemble, Demetri Tashie, Beth Bahia Cohen, Lefteris Bournias, Nikos Kouroupakis (of the renowned Trifono), Chronis Aidonidis and many others. He has collaborated with the members of the Internationally known Greek folk group, Endasi, since 2003 and as of 2018, has formed the Anemos Music Project with fellow laouto player, Vasilis Vassiliadis.

About the Anemos Music Project

The Anemos Music Project was formed out of the desire to play Greek Island music in its many forms, in its traditional style as well as the contemporary "neo-traditional" style, as it currently wildly popular in Greece. The core of this group revolves around the violin and the laouto, however, the beauty of the project is it's ability to adapt and assimilate as needed for any situation, from a bare bones "Nisiotko Takimi", to a Greek Folk orchestra (with the addition of Clarinet and percussion), to a full bouzouki style wedding band, and just about everything in between. The Anemos Project has become increasingly popular in the New York area since its inception and has been invited to perform at many prestigious events internationally.

Episode Music: The Anemos Music Project

Andreas Seas, is the co-director for the Koinonia dance group in Raleigh North Carolina. He was born in Akrotiri, Cyprus, to two dance teachers, and has been active as a dancer, researcher, and community organizer ever since. His goals as a dance instructor are to preserve Hellenic culture and simultaneously spark interest and curiosity in the next generation of dancers. When he isn’t dancing, Andreas is working to complete his MD and PhD with a focus in biomedical engineering and neurosurgery.

Episode Music Credit: The Anemos Music Project

 

Jordan Elrod has been dancing since a young age, instructing for the past 20 years, and was the director at St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, Florida for ten of those years. He has taught and participated in many workshops across the United States and Greece, as well as organized workshops in South Florida including The Winter Dance Conference in 2005. He served on the board for the Metropolis of Atlanta’s HDF where he has also been a judge for the past 3 years. He has performed with, and played music for multiple award winning groups at the Metropolis of Atlanta’s HDF, the Metropolis of San Francisco’s FDF, and “America’s Greek Dance Competition” as well as MHDF out of Chicago, where he also served on the board. He studied in Rhodes, Greece at the Aegean University and still travels to Greece every year with his wife and family whose roots are in the Serres region.

Episode music: Endasi, Live, Miami 2020

Mr. Sarantos N. Kaperonis was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, and graduated pharmacy school at South Carolina’s College of Pharmacy. His parents are from Karyes (Arachova), Lakonia, a village in southern Greece.

He has been involved in Greek Folk dance from a very young age where he started dancing for his home parish, Holy Trinity, under the direction of Stacie Peroulas and Marina Photopoulos. They were the first people to introduce him to many important characteristics of Greek folk dance. As a member of their dance group, Sarantos competed at the Metropolis of Atlanta’s Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) for seven years and later. went on to dance with Charlotte’s Adult group, Stavraetoi, under the direction of Nick Metrakos. Through his experiences gained as a dancer, he began directing within his community in 2008.

In 2011, Sarantos began following his dream of doing first-hand research in Greece. With the help of Greek dance teacher Angelos Nikolaidis and musician Panagiotis Zikidis he has researched the music and dances of many villages in northern Greece, in addition to his village Karyes (Arachova). He has focused most of his time researching the region of Thrace, specifically Evros, since the music, dances, and paradosi of this region are what he has loved from a young age.  

This inspired him to learn Thracian Gaida in the unique Evritiko style under the mentoring of Panagiotis Zikidis of Pentalofos, Evros. He also plays Thracian Lyra which currently only a few musicians play and is in a revival stage.

His goal as a researcher is to portray the different characteristics and style in folklore within villages of the same region, specifically Thrace, because individual villages’ paradosi has been generalized and ultimately lost over the years.

In addition to doing first-hand research, Sarantos has participated in many workshops across the United States, Canada, and Greece to further enhance his knowledge in Greek folklore. He has taught workshops for groups within the Carolinas, the Metropolis of Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, California, Washington, and Canada and as a musician, has played at numerous events in North America and Greece.

Episode music: Endasi Live, Miami 2020

Nikos Antonopoulos Greek Dance instructor, director, student and performer, originally from Seattle, WA now finds himself in the San Francisco Bay area.

Over the years has lived between the USA and Greece participating with dance groups, festivals, panigiria, and ethima (local holiday traditions) throughout all of Greece. Having attended seminars in Greece, the USA, and Canada, Niko continues to assist and share these experiences with his students. He is a participant and award winning director at FDF for over 20 years. His involvement in Greek dance continues is rooted in experiences through his travels to Greece and throughout various Greek dance events.

Episode music: Endasi Live, Miami 2020

We sat down with Dimitris, the founder of the Psyxi Weekender to chat about the weekend's instructors, musicians, resort venue, and COVID-19 precautions.

Tickets for the weekender are on sale now,we hope to see you there!

www.psyxiweekend.com

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IG: Psyxi.AZ