Instructors & Musicians
Katerina Asteriou
Instructor - Drama
Katerina Asteriou was born and raised in Drama. She lives in Prosotsani of the Municipality of Prosotsani in Drama, Greece . She teaches dances in Cultural Associations in her area. She has traveled abroad (Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, France, Las Vegas, Sydney, Toronto, Alberta) where she has been invited for seminars to teach dances of the local inhabitants of the Northwest villages of the prefecture of Drama as well as Grammustian Vlachs of Prosotsani which are the origins of her parents. Her grandfather was Dimitris Zedamanis, a well-known lyre player and manufacturer of the Macedonian pear-shaped lyre. She is a lecturer at the Social Institute of Active Citizens (KIEPE). Katerina will be teaching dances from Drama.
ENDASI
Musicians
Endasi will provide LIVE music on Saturday, January 4th with songs from all areas of Greece including Peloponisos, Epirus, Thessalia, Makedonia, Thrace, Pontos, Kyklades, Dodekanisa, North Aegean, Crete, and much more.
Manolis Houlis
Musician
Master Tsambouna player from Kalymnos, Greece will be playing at our Taverna Night on Friday, January 3rd.
Joe Graziosi
Instructor - Eastern Thrace & Master Class
Joseph Kaloyanides Graziosi. Born and raised in the greater Boston area, Joe has become the most sought-after teacher of Greek dance and a leading expert on Greek culture over the past 30 years. With a B.A. in History from Brandeis University, Joe began his formal study of Greek dance in 1975 during a semester abroad in Athens. He has conducted extensive research on Greek folk music and dance, both in Greece and within Greek American communities.
Joe has taught traditional Greek dances across the U.S., Canada, and internationally, including Japan, Taiwan, and several European countries. He co-founded the Greek American Folklore Society in Astoria, NY, and the World Music & Dance Camp. He has also served as a judge and advisor for the West Coast Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival (FDF) since 1984 and for the Atlanta Metropolis' Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) for the past 12 years. Joe will be teaching the dances and traditions from the Gagauz people of Eastern Thrace, along with a master class on Tsesto and Poustseno.
Achilleas Tsiaras
Instructor - Namata & Vlasti
Achilleas Tsiaras, born and raised in Meliki, Imathia, a village renowned for its rich cultural and dance heritage, has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting the traditions of Roumlouki. Immersed in these traditions from a young age, he has meticulously documented local dances, costumes, and customs, sharing his knowledge through teaching at cultural associations and presenting at seminars across Greece. His work has gained international recognition, particularly through his collaborations with diaspora dance groups in America, where he has earned top honors. As a founding member of the Vlach Cultural Society of Kozani Prefecture and co-founder of "CHORODRASIS," a cultural workshop with his wife, Achilleas continues to lead efforts in cultural preservation. Achilleas will be teaching dances from the villages of Namata and Vlasti at our conference.
4o
Panayotis (Paddy) League and Michalis Kappas
Musicians
Michalis Kappas from Kalymnos, Greece, and Panayotis (Paddy) League will be playing LIVE at our Taverna Night on Friday, January 3rd.
