Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Syrtos

Kristina from Yia.Mas and Maria sit down to talk about Kabanes, and more importantly the trivialization of folk culture.

We continued our conversation from the Ethos 2026 panel, with some new guests to try to connect to what research means in Greek folk dance, and how that research is presented on stage. Lots of discussion and laughs later, it's safe to say we need a part 3, 4, 5 to this. Thank you to our guests: Dean Avdalas, Dimitris Dallas, Bobby Garofalis, and Andonis Platis!

In collaboration with the Hellenic Performing Arts Foundation, the 2026 Ethos Conference panel discussion centered on bringing research to stage. This episode features the recorded panel. For more information on the Ethos virtual conference and to view other presentations please visit www.hellenicperformingarts.org

Panel Guests:

Charlie Kleto

Dean Avdalas

Bobby Garofalis

Moderated by: Paul Calzada

Bess Stathakis is an Atlanta native with a lifelong passion for Greek dance and culture. She serves as the Director of the Atlanta Greek dance program, instructs as well as dances with the Atlanta adult dance group, and is a member of the management team for the Hellenic Dance Festival. She is deeply committed to preserving and celebrating Hellenic heritage as she desires to continue to honor and pass down these traditions that helped shaped her own life.

Beyond the dance floor, she is a proud wife and soon-to-be mother of two, inspired by her family, faith, and the Greek community that surrounds her.

Episode Music: Kostas Mitsis

Ellie Falaris Ganelin is the director of the Kombos Collective, which she founded in 2011 under the name Greek Chamber Music Project (GCMP). She is a classically trained flutist who welcomes other traditions into the fold, including jazz, Latin, Balkan and klezmer music. She is active as a performer of chamber and orchestral music in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is committed to making classical music inviting and accessible for all as an ambassador and performer for the Awesöme Orchestra Collective.

Born and raised in the United States, Ellie is Greek and Croatian-American, whose father hails from Thessaloniki. She’s a proficient speaker and lifelong learner of Modern Greek. Her work with the Kombos Collective has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and deepen her Hellenic heritage.

Ellie received her B.A. in Music from the University of Maryland, where she also holds a B.A. in Journalism and a Minor in French. For many years, Ellie had a dual career in nonprofit communications, while simultaneously presenting GCMP concerts.

https://kombosmusic.com/

Episode Music: Kombos Collective, Kanari Mou Glyko, Vardari, Kombos Collective, 2025

Join Vaia and Michelle from GAFS to learn a little more about the 2026 βήματα Ελευθερίας event in Astoria, Queens! For more information, and group pricing, including a preferred hotel rate and registration discount visit the GAFS website:

https://www.greekamericanfolkloresociety.org/

Episode music: Kostas Mitsis

​Georgios Glynatsis is the director of the Afieroma dance troupe at St. Elizabeth the Wonderworker Greek Orthodox Church in Gainesville, Florida. This year marked his debut directing Afieroma on the HDF stage, where he presented suites from Kalymnos and Kremasti, Zarakas. A second-generation Greek-American, Georgios was raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida, deeply immersed in Kalymnian culture and traditions. Frequent summer trips to Kalymnos provided constant exposure to his heritage, dancing with his family at every opportunity. He is currently completing his undergraduate degree in Medical Physics at the University of Florida.

The conversation explores the Heritage Museum of Epirus, its collection, educational initiatives, and the personal connections to Greek culture and heritage. Maria Constantinides shares insights on the museum's mission, the significance of its artifacts, and the impact of educational programs.

Heritage Museum of Epirus

25-14 Broadway

Astoria, New York

website:

https://anagenesisny.org/heritage-museum-of-epirus/

Instagram:

@heritage_museum_of_epirus

epirusmuseumastoria@gmail.com

The museum is open by appointment for visits! Happy to host individuals or groups, to explore or for a guided visit.

Episode Music: Kostas Mitsis Κοντούλα Βλάχα - Τασιά

Anthe Mitrakos is a journalist, communications expert, and editor at Portes Magazine. A proud Greek-American at the helm of Portes for over a decade, she is recognized as an ambassador for Hellenic culture, history and art.

https://www.portesmagazine.com/

https://www.portesmagazine.com/aristonfoundation

Episode music: The Anemos Music Project

Duygu Gün is a Turkish-American creative producer, musician, and curator dedicated to preserving folk culture and fostering intercultural connections through arts and culture. Her work bridges tradition and contemporary practice, using music, film, and participatory experiences to build community across cultures. In 2019, she curated Sounds Like Home: Longing and Comfort Through Lullabies as a Curatorial Resident at SOMArts, exploring themes of memory, migration, and belonging through sound. In 2022, she co-founded the Anatolian Arts Institute to connect the Anatolian diaspora in the U.S. through music, storytelling, and interactive workshops. She received an SFAC Artist Grant in 2023 as the creative producer of Balkancisco, a documentary about the Bay Area’s Balkan music scene. Duygu performs Mediterranean folk music in multiple languages, with a focus on music shaped by migration, displacement, and Turkish Sufi traditions. She was awarded Turkey’s 10 Outstanding Young Persons Cultural Achievement prize in 2022.

Dimitri was first on the podcast during Season 4, we're excited to learn a bit more about how he has grown the Meraki Laographic Arts program over the past two plus years!

From Las Vegas to Athens: Getting to know Dr. Panagiote Tsolis

Dr. Panagiote Tsolis was raised with deep roots in the Greek American community of Long Beach, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, for Las Vegas served on the Parish Council and as Folk Dance Board President for St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. Passionate about his heritage and global business, he now serves as the Director of Business Programs and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Hellenic American University. Drawing on his years as an executive for Fortune 500 companies and multiple start-ups, he gives students real-world experience and guidance in their careers in Greece and abroad.

Dr. Tsolis is a staunch supporter of the Greek community, having served on the management committee for the Metropolis of San Francisco’s Folk Dance Festival. In recognition of his dedication, he was selected for the Greek American Foundation’s Forty Under 40 class of 2024. Additionally, he welcomes students from top-tier universities to visit businesses and work on projects in Greece. He holds a Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change from Pepperdine University, with his dissertation focused on sustainable tourism in Greece.

Izaki Metropoulos is a Chicago-born, third-generation Greek American violinist-- and the first musician in his family. Nearly two decades ago, he began exploring Greece’s violin traditions, crossing genres from Nisiotika to Rebetika. His path has ranged from taking first place at age 10 in the Midwest Fiddle Championship to appearing as an operatic tenor soloist with the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra. He also performs repertoire from the wider Balkans and Ottoman classical music and is passionate about musical syncretism across the Mediterranean-- especially adaptations of makam (modal) systems and the meditative, evocative taksim that express them. He continues to perform and teach across North America, specializing in the beautiful and varied music of the Cyclades.

George Papadopoulos was born and raised in Anthousa, Kozanis, Greece, leaving and coming to America as a young adult.  Missing his homeland and his love for the culture and traditions, he created the Sons & Daughters of Alexander the Great Dance Group in 1972 to continuously promote the Greek Culture, history, and traditions of dance.  The Sons & Daughters of Alexander the Great is part of the youth Chapter of the Pan Macedonian Association of America.

The group first started with 8 members and quickly grew.  Over the fifty years, the group has brought together more than a thousand members of the Hellenic community teaching them the music and dance traditions of their Hellenic ancestry. 

Although George no longer dances with the group, he still attends weekly practices and remains very active as the director in the organization.  George's dedication to our Greek heritage is truly admirable and we are immensely grateful to have such an impactful community leader as our founder. 

Haralampos Stathopoulos: 

For the past sixteen years, I have been a proud member of The Sons and Daughters of Alexander the Great, I began my journey as a dancer, but over time my role grew to include leadership positions on the board, serving as both Vice President and President, before ultimately stepping into the role of instructor—a responsibility I continue to hold with pride today. Beyond my work with the group, I have sought to deepen my knowledge by attending workshops to learn dances from across Greece, broadening both my skill set and appreciation for the country’s diverse traditions. Over the years, I have performed at countless Greek church festivals throughout the region and have had the privilege of traveling and performing in Greece multiple times with the group. While my love for Greek dance and tradition runs deep, I am equally passionate about fostering and sustaining this cultural legacy in my community and throughout New England, ensuring that these dances and customs continue to be shared and celebrated for generations to come.

Stefania Calogrias:

I was introduced to Greek dancing at the age of 7 by my mother and father, who taught me the dances from their villages of Politsani, Vorio Epirus and Xironomi, Viotia respectively.  It was then my love for Greek Dancing was born.  Throughout my youth I danced at my church's dance group until graduating from High School.  I joined the Sons & Daughters of Alexander the Great Dance Group a little over 12 years ago as a dancer before being elected to the board where I held the roles of Vice President and Secretary, to my current role as "right hand to our director" George Papadopoulos, where I coordinate practices, performance scheduling and programs as well as being honored with the responsibility to teach a long side Haralampos at various times.  We, the Sons & Daughters perform at many church festivals throughout the area, cultural events at local schools where we promote our Greek Culture, we often go to New York to participate in events with the Pan Macedonian Association as well as performing in Greece. The Sons & Daughters also was the first ever Greek dance group to perform for the Boston Celtics Greek Heritage Night. 

Any opportunity I can, I attend Greek dance conferences, or exhibits held in the area to enrich my knowledge not just of dance, the music, the instruments, and the Greek culture in general.   My love for Greek dancing and continuing to promote Greek Culture as the diaspora here in the US,  is not only shared with my fellow dancers and also with the youth of my church where I have been co-directing for the last 9 years.

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

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

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.

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

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

Harry Koutroumanis and Paul Calzada share about the 2025 Gnosis research trip through the Hellenic Performing Arts Foundation to Karpathos and Crete. Learn a bit about their work, and its connection to the Foundation's mission.

For more information visit www.hellenicperformingarts.org or @hellenicperformingarts

Vasilios Aligiannis has an extensive and impressive resume within the Greek folk dance community. He is the founder and lead instructor of the Hellenic Lyceum Sydney. Below are excerpts from his remarkable CV.

"My lifelong passion for Greek folk dance has led me on a remarkable journey of exploration and discovery throughout Greece. With over twenty five visits to this captivating country, I have immersed myself in its diverse regions, delving into the rich tapestry of its folk dance traditions. Through a meticulous blend of research and firsthand experience, my methodology encompasses a multifaceted approach aimed at uncovering the cultural nuances and significance of Greek folk dance.

In essence, my research into Greek folk dance is a labor of love, fuelled by a deep-seated admiration for the beauty and resilience of this cherished tradition. Through my interdisciplinary approach and immersive experiences, I strive to illuminate the cultural significance of folk dance in Greece and contribute to its preservation for future generations to embrace and enjoy.

My research methodology is characterised by its comprehensive and interdisciplinary nature, drawing upon elements of musicology, anthropology, and ethnography. Each trip to Greece involves meticulous planning, as I meticulously research areas and regions of interest, seeking out villages and local communities where folk dance traditions thrive. Upon arrival, I engage in immersive experiences, participating in festivals, workshops, and cultural events that celebrate Greek heritage.

In my quest to understand Greek folk dance, I actively seek out opportunities to connect with villagers and locals who embody these traditions. By immersing myself in their communities, I gain firsthand knowledge of the customs, rituals, and social dynamics that underpin folk dance practices. I document these experiences through video recordings, photographs, and field notes, capturing the essence of daily life and cultural expression.

A crucial aspect of my research involves the recording of interviews with key figures in the field of Greek folk dance. From local dancers and instructors to cultural experts and historians, these interviews serve as invaluable sources of insight into the origins, practices, and evolution of folk dance in Greece. Through these conversations, I aim to preserve oral histories and capture the diverse perspectives that shape this cherished cultural tradition. I also participate in one on one lessons of dance and learn these steps from firsthand.

Throughout my research journey, I have forged meaningful connections with key organisations dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Greek folk dance. From the Lykeion Ellinidon to KEPEM (Center for Research on Greek Dance), Dora Stratou Greek Dance Theater and the Domna Samiou Foundation, I have collaborated with esteemed institutions that share my passion for safeguarding Greece's cultural heritage. Through these partnerships, I have access to resources, expertise, and networks that enrich my research endeavours. I have also made some amazing connections with people involved in Greek dance e.g. Alkis Raftis, Lefteris Drandakis and Kostas Mitsis."

Regions of Expertise

• Arkadia / Messinia, in the Peloponnese.
• Naousa and the Boules Dromena in Macedonia.
• Syrrako, Tzoumerka Region, in Epirus.
• Konitsa and the Mastorohoria Region, in Epirus.
• Roumlouki Imathias, in Macedonia.
• Kalymnos/Leros, in the Dodecanese Islands.
• Palia Roumata Village, outside Chania, in Crete

https://www.greekdancing.com.au

Episode Music: Kostas Mitsis

Vasiliki Malamatos is the director of Epanastasi Dance Troupe at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Worth, Texas; and the founder & director of Rizes HDF. Epanastasi is a young-adult competitive dance troupe that she started back in January of 2024 and is an official ministry of the St. Demetrios parish in Fort Worth, Texas. Epanastasi will be hosting Rizes HDF on January 25: a parish level event encouraging dance groups within the Denver Metropolis & beyond to attend for a first ever HDF event in the area. 

Vasiliki grew up on the East Coast & has been dancing all of her life. She grew up in New Jersey & attended the Ascension Fairview parish where she competed at their own HDF: “Sights & Sounds”. At the age of 17, she & her family moved to Florida where she completed her final year of GOYA & Dance at the Tarpon Springs Parish with Levendia. She then moved to Boston, MA where she attended Hellenic College Holy Cross from 2016-2020 where she met her husband, Theodore Malamatos. They got married in Florida & relocated to Fort Worth, Texas in February 2022 for his job. 

Vasiliki is first generation Greek & was raised in a home where Greek tradition & culture was always prevalent & important. Vasiliki & her family are Vlachoi (Vlachs) from Thessalia. Her father was born and raised in a Vlachochori (Vlach-speaking village) called “Kalochori”, located just outside of Larisa. Vlachika was her fathers first language, & their village of Kalochori still practices their Vlach customs & traditions (ex: speaking Vlachika, Vlach music & dance at their annual Panigiria, etc). Her mother is from a village in Trikala called “Mavrelli”, located north of Kalambaka. Vasiliki is very proud of her Greek Vlach roots. She visits her villages in Greece as often as she can where she spends her summers with family. While there, attending every Panigiri is always on the list of things to do. She was raised listening to her region's music, so she loves all things Klarino, Epirotika, and Thessalika. 

Vasiliki also runs a private business: DFW Greek Social Club. It is a private Greek event promotional business where she brings various different Greek cultural events to the DFW Metroplex, such as: Greek Nights, Greek Concerts, Greek Comedy Shows, etc. The events are for all ages because Vasiliki feels that Greek culture is for everyone. Greek culture is intergenerational and she wants everyone in the community to be able to come together to bond over their Greek culture. 

Vasiliki is very passionate about preserving Greek culture & tradition in the diaspora. She feels that it is important we equip the next generation with the tools needed to preserve our traditions and culture. If we fail to do so, it is so easy for our culture to slip through the cracks and die off. We need strong events, outlets, and more to keep this younger generation hungry for their culture so that they themselves will grow up and want to pass the torch to the next generation, & so-on.

www.stdemetrios.net

Episode Music: ΞΕΝΙΤΕΜΕΝΟ ΜΟΥ ΠΟΥΛΙ (Πωγώνι) - Ηπειρώτικα τραγούδια

Eleni Koubi is a Greek fashion designer who founded her own brand in 2021.

The philosophy behind the clothes is that the garment a person wears is not only meant to meet their physical needs and to highlight their beauty, but is an expression of their personality and cultural identity. 

The brand is promoting sustainability through garments that are not mass produced but instead a few pieces are launched in each collection that are created ethically and made mostly from natural materials, such as cotton, wool or silk, in order to minimize waste.

Greek folk tradition and the Greek elements are the dominant sources of inspiration for the designs, since the designer believes that Greek culture is an endless source of inspiration and an expression of timeless values. Beauty is the dominant value of the Greek culture and every fashion piece aims to capture this essence. The values of the Greek elements are not only historical but have the ability to shape the aesthetics of people over time through generations.

Instagram: EleniKoubiOfficial

https://elenikoubi.com/

Episode Music Credit: Manolis Kottoros, Live in Santorini, 2021

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 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.

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

• 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

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

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