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 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
