Orpheus Dance Instructors
Orpheus has focused on carrying out its mission by educating both Greek
and non-Greek communities concerning the richness of the Hellenic folk
culture and heritage through folk dance performances, dance workshops
and lectures. Set forth below are the biographies of Orpheus' instructors. |
Marianna Damianides-Gudmundsson first learned Greek folk dances, almost 30 years ago, as
part of the curriculum at the St. Demetrios “Solon” Greek School in Chicago,
which she attended for nine years. She later joined the Greek Macedonian Society of
Chicago Dance Troupe where she received instruction under George Samaras, and later became
the primary instructor for the Troupe. By participating in various Greek folk dance
workshops in northern Greece, sponsored by the Lyceum of Greece Dance Theater of
Thessaloniki, Marianna further expanded the repertoire of the Troupe.
In 1989, Marianna joined
Orpheus and has undertaken the role of Artistic Director since 1991. She has,
together with Yanni and Constantine Economou, been responsible for weekly instruction,
instruction of the female dancers with respect to the dances performed mainly by women, as
well as the expansion and diversification of the Troupe’s repertoire of mainland and
island folk dances. By attending numerous workshops throughout the United States and
Canada, Marianna has been able to study this particular art form under such recognized
authorities on traditional Greek folk dance as Joe Graziosi of San Francisco, Lou
Gialedakis of Toronto, Canada, the late Paul Ginis of the Greek American Folklore Society
of New York, Yvonne Hunt of Seattle, John Lulias of Tarpon Springs, Florida, George and
Eleni Mavropoulos, directors of the Dora Stratou Theater and the renowned directors of the
Lyceum of Athens Dance Theater, Lefteris Drandakis, George Kotsos, Nancy Harmanta and Hara
Deliyannis.
Marianna has also taught, and
continues to teach, Greek folk dance in the Chicagoland area to children in the primary
grades at the Protypon, St. Demetrios Church, St. Haralambos Church and Peraikon Hellenic
Schools. Instruction utilizing authentic music and the appropriate authentic dances
for a particular region is emphasized. Together with Yanni Economou, Marianna
Damianides-Gudmundsson
has been awarded an Illinois
Arts Council Grant for 1996-1997, for her work in maintaining and expressing the Greek
community’s aesthetic heritage and tradition, in addition to the preservation of the
state’s cultural heritage.
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Yannis and Kostas
Economou grew up in Athens Greece
and came to Chicago in 1984. Their first organized Greek folk dance experience was
with the troupe of a local Greek church. The instructor, Nikos Kourtis, was a
15-year veteran of the renowned Lyceum of Greece Dance Theater of Thessaloniki. In
1989, Mr. Kourtis, Yanni and Constantine founded the Orpheus Dance Troupe.
Following Mr. Kourtis’ departure to Greece in 1991, John and Constantine carried out
the leadership and responsibilities of the Troupe.
As the principal instructors
of Orpheus, Yanni and Constantine conduct the beginners, intermediate and advanced levels
of instruction on a weekly basis. In addition, they are responsible for the
instruction of the male dancers and the particular steps and improvisations that are
characteristic of dances performed by men only. They have continuously increased the
Troupe’s repertoire of dances by their participation in various Greek folk dance
workshops in Montreal, New York, St. Louis and Chicago. They have studied under the
guidance of Lefteris Drandakis, George Kotsos, Nancy Harmanta and Hara Deliyannis of the
Lyceum of Athens Theater, Joe Graziosi of San Francisco, Lou Gialedakis of Toronto,
Canada, the late Paul Ginis of the Greek American Folklore Society of New York, Yvonne
Hunt of Seattle, John Lulias of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and George and Eleni Mavropoulos,
directors of the Dora Stratou Theater. Together with Marianna Damianides-Gudmundsson
, Yannis Economou
has been awarded an Illinois Arts Council
Grant for 1996- 1997, for his work in maintaining and expressing the Greek
community’s aesthetic heritage and tradition, in addition to the preservation of the
state’s cultural heritage.
Vasiliki
Kouchoukos-Grosso has been an active member of Orpheus since 1995. She has
served as Youth Coordinator and Instructor of the Orpheus youth dance program
since its foundation in 1998. Vasiliki has participated in several Greek dance
workshops and performances throughout the United States, Canada, and Greece. She
has taught Greek dancing throughout the Greek community for many years and is a
physical education teacher, with a Bachelors Degree in Education and a Masters
Degree in Educational Leadership and Development. Vasiliki performs with her
three children, who are also members of Orpheus.
Presvytera Stefanie
Malamis has been a member of Orpheus since January 2001. Stefanie has a background in Byzantine chant and traditional Greek songs.
Pressvytera Stefanie currently is a stay at home mom with her daughter Maria.
Nina
Katsinis has been a member of Orpheus since 2003. During her time with
Orpheus she has participated in many local performances and has also traveled to
California and Greece for festivals and competitions. Nina is beginning her
third year as a youth instructor. She is currently a senior at Loyola University
Chicago studying psychology and neuroscience.
Niki
Rigas has been a
member of Orpheus since 1995. She has attended several Greek folk dance
workshops and seminars. Niki taught Greek folk dance for over 6 years at
Pythagoras Greek School in Des Plaines, and has been assisting with the Orpheus
Youth Group since 2004. Niki has a Bachelor's of Science and is the Classroom
Specialist at Loyola University Chicago.
Ethel Stathas Angelos has been a member of Orpheus since September of
2007, along with her three sons, who are members of the Orpheus Adult and Youth
Dance Troupes and the Orpheus Music Ensemble. She currently resides in Palos
Hills with her husband and children. After staying home for many years to raise
her children, she is now employed by North Palos School District 117 in Pupil
Personnel Services. Ethel is very active in her church and community
organizations, and was instrumental in resurrecting the St. Nicholas Greek
Orthodox Church Junior and Senior Dance Troupes in 2003. She holds a Bachelor of
Science Degree from Loyola University.
Katerina
Rallis is a sophomore at Elmhurst College studying elementary education with
minors in theater and reading. She has been of the Orpheus Dance Troupe for
almost 7 years now, and loves bringing Greek culture into children's lives by
teaching them how to dance! She also teaches dance at Pythagoras Greek School.
Louisa
Dimopoulos has been dancing with Orpheus since she was 10 years old. This
will be her second year as a dance instructor in the Orpheus youth group. Louisa
received the Dina Sianis Merit Award in 2008. She is a senior at William Fremd
High School in Palatine, Illinois. Her hobbies include playing all sorts of
sports, learning Byzantine music, and practicing her Greek language skills!
Angelo
P. Angelos became a member of the Orpheus Youth Group in September of 2007,
and joined the Music Ensemble in September of 2008, playing violin and trumpet.
He is currently beginning his second year with the Adult Group. A junior at
A.A.Stagg High School in Palos Hills, he is a member of Wind Symphony, Jazz
Band, and Speech & Debate. He is currently studying Byzantine chant, and is very
active at his parish of St. Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn, where he has performed
with their dance troupe and currently serves as an acolyte.
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Last revised:
11/14/11 03:58:34 PM
