Greek Dance Ministry
The Dance Ministry is one of the largest youth ministries at Saint Nicholas. We have dance groups for children and young adults of all ages. Our dance groups perform at cultural events throughout the year, participate in the annual FDF competition and culminate the year by performing at our parish festival.
The purpose of the dance program is to bring our Saint Nicholas community together in Orthodox Christian fellowship and to afford them the opportunity to live, learn, and experience the Hellenic culture through dance. We also strive to grow together in spirit and strength, always to bring out the best in each participant. This mission includes:
To praise God through song and dance as stated in Psalms 150: “Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!”
To develop an awareness and appreciation for the Orthodox faith, as well as the Hellenic culture and its traditions.
To inspire our participants about the Greek Heritage through traditional dance and song.
To promote a feeling of unity, family, and community in our youth.
To teach our participants the values of teamwork and commitment.
To establish the principles of Diakonia and Koinonia.
Dance Council
Co-Chairs: Sofia Nicolaou, Vivian Tavernakis, Angeliki Pries
ETHNOS
Ethnos is the youngest dance group and has been dancing together for a year. These young dancers are full of energy and love to dance and sing! Two of their directors are current Arhondia Dancers and one is the former director of the dance groups Ksefteria of San Jose and Atromiti of Phoenix.
Dance Directors: Yorgia Papas, Eleni Zafiris, Angeliki Pries
Parent Representatives: Diana Matheou, Patty Perlegos
LYNGISTAKIA
This group started together as 4 & 5 year olds. Today they have a wonderful sense of rhythm. Their directors grew up dancing together in the group AXIOS and are very talented dancers and directors.
Dance Directors: Sevy Paraskevaidou, Michael Tsortos
Parent Representatives: Christina Kougiouris, Venni Bletsas
Philotimo
This group started together as 4 & 5 year olds and have focused on mainland regions of dancing. Their directors are the former dancers of the groups EF, EK and Ksefteria.
Dance Directors: Maria Halatsis, Anna-Maria DiMaggio, Nikos Tsellas
Parent Representative: Margarita Zafiris
Meraki
This group started together as kindergarteners and have many performances and competitions under their belt. They enjoy spending time together as a group! Their directors are former dancers of the groups EK and Ksefteria.
Dance Directors: Dianne Antonopoulos, Nicole Bakouros
Parent Representative: Alena Bond
Patrida tis Arhondias
Arhondia has been dancing together for 10 years. Patrida has been dancing together for 9 years. As 5-6 year-olds, these two groups started together, however, there were too many to manage at the time. Today, they are reunited and ready to showcase their dancing skills. Both groups stay true to the authentic style of the regions they perform. By combining, the dancers have developed a certain technicality and flare to their steps evolving into a true performing group.
Dance Directors: Dena Armeniakos, Vivian Tavernakis, Costa Bakouros, Amanda Field
Parent Representatives: Maria Colyvas, Shawn Cartwright
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