We just had our first Greek Dance class of the year yesterday and it was great to see many new and old faces!

We all got to introduce ourselves and say our favorite color (blue) or a fun thing we did over the summer (trip to Alaska!). This year, while we are still following CDC guidelines, we are using rings to “hold hands” so we can dance around a big circle as is traditional with Greek Dance. It was great to see everyone together dancing around the room to our very first dance, Syrto!

To start our year dancing, we will be reviewing some of the common greek dances which are: Syrto (Seer-TOE), Hasaposerviko (Hah-sah-poh-SER-vee-koh), Kalamatiano (Kah-lah-mah-tee-ah-NO), and Tsamiko (TSAH-me-koh). Once we get through those dances each class will have one or two regions assigned to them which they will learn dances from. They will also learn where each region is on a map and what kind of traditional outfits the local people used to wear.

For our youngest students, we will start learning how to recognize a beat and learning our left and right. We have already started learning Syrto as well!

Please feel free to contact me any time about any Greek Dance questions you may have!

-Kirio Yianni

Welcome to the new greek dance blog where we will be showcasing what the students have been learning. Greek dance is normally danced as a group holding hands or shoulders. We all know why that isn’t possible at the moment but it’s been great to see the kids still practicing their steps while socially distanced. It is amazing to see the students so excited to Greek dance even though it may not be part of their own culture at home. It is also very exciting to hear them shouting out during class wanting to dance specific dances that we’ve been learning throughout the school year.

Our younger grades such as Mrs. Soraya, Mrs. Cathy and Angie, Mrs. Bridget, and Mrs. Demetra have been learning a lot. The youngest have been learning to dance with a rhythm and being on beat, as well as using a tambourine to play and hit with the beat of the dance. Some of the classes have upgraded to learning some of the basic dances such as Xasaposerviko, Syrto, and Omal.

Mr. Anthony, Mrs. Lizzy, Mr. Patrick, and Mrs. Anna W’s classes have been learning Island dances throughout the year with the Levantinikos dance from Zakynthos being the dance practiced currently.

Our oldest kids in Mr. Chris and Dr. Michael’s have been practicing our most difficult dances from Crete, Pentozali and Maleviziotikos.

We do our best to learn dances from every region in Greece. Every region has its own set of customs and traditions as well as instruments. Every time we start a new dance we also learn a little history of where the dance is from and what characteristics tie it in with the region it is from. If you ever have an questions about Greek dance please feel free to contact me!

Kirio Yianni