Orpheus Dance Instructors

John Economou, Principal Instructor Constantine Economou, Principal Instructor Marianna Damianides-Gudmundsson, Artistic Director
Yannis Economou Principal Instructor Constantine Economou Principal Instructor Marianna Damianides-
Gudmundsson
 
Artistic Director
Vasiliki Kouchoukos-Grosso Stefanie Malamis Nina Katsinis
Bessie Kouchoukos-Grosso  
Youth Instructor
Stefanie Malamis Youth Instructor Nina Katsinis Youth Instructor
Christina Kakavas Niki Rigas
Christina Kakavas-Kodric Youth Instructor Catherine Grosso
Youth
Instructor
Niki Rigas Youth Instructor

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, Artistic Director
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.
 


John Economou, Principal Instructor Constantine Economou, Principal Instructor

Yannis and Constantine 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 coordinator 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.

 


 


Christina Kakavas-Kodric has been a member of Orpheus since 1994 and has been attending Greek Dance Workshops and seminars ever since. After working as a graphic designer for 7 years, and as an art teacher for one year, she has chosen to stay home and take care of her little girl Effie. Christina has a Bachelors degree in Art and an Associates degree in Illustration.

 

 

 


Stefanie Malamis has been a member of Orpheus since January 2001. Stefanie has a background in Byzantine chant and traditional Greek songs. In addition to assisting with the Orpheus Youth Group, she also teaches dance at the St. Demetrios Greek School in Elmhurst, Il. Stefanie teaches third grade in Jefferson Park.

 

 

 

 


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 just recently became a youth instructor last year.  She currently is a student at Loyola University Chicago studying psychology and neuroscience.

 

 

 

 


Catherine Grosso has been dancing Greek dancing since she was nine years old. She was one of the first members of the youth group when it started nine years ago. Catherine is currently a sophomore at North Park University and is majoring in Elementary Education and Nutrition.

 

 

 

 

 


Niki Rigas has been a member of Orpheus since 1995.  She has attended several Greek folk dance workshops and seminars.  Niki teaches Greek folk dance 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 Degree and is the Classroom Specialist at Loyola University of Chicago. 

 

 

 

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Last revised:
03/15/08 10:32:47 PM