About my Greek culture

In all over Greece, people dance. In the Mainland, in the Islands, in all regions and provinces, the Greeks forget their worries by singing and dancing. Not only we have thousands of recipes, but also hundreds of dances.

In the famous movie "Zorba the Greek" (from the novel of N. Kazantzakis), Alexis Zorba (played by Anthony Queen) says : "when we Greeks are unhappy, we sing and dance" and advices his foreigner friend :"you need some madness"!

This (creative, good) madness made us endure the tough times we've been through, has inspired our bravery and heroic side.

That's why dancing the Traditional Greek dances is a need for me:

Zeibekiko dance is directly connected to the Spartan 'pyrihios' dance, around a fire, is danced on the pattern of 9/8 and means "the dance of warriors" (comes from Anatolia-Northern Greece). 

Hassapiko  dance (the 'boutcher's dance' from Asia Minor) is related to the ancient  Greek (pagan)habit of sacrificing animals to gods.

Karsilama dance (which means 'face to face') comes from the Greek regions Macedonia and Thrace and it's a 'face to face' dance of couples or even a dynamic line dance.

About Me

My origins

 I'm Greek and I have an accent...I can't help it! I came to America in August 27 2007 and I'm permanent resident of USA since August 26 2010.

 I come originally from Asia Minor (Constantinople), I've lived in Athens, Ioannina and Antirrio Greece. My family was a wealthy active member of the huge population in the west coast of Turkey, in Tuzla, a wonderful suburb near the sea of Marmaras, in the east coast of Asia Minor.

I've kept in my heart the origins, the music, the cuisine, the uniqueness of the Greek culture. 

Bellydance in my life

I have been  Bellydancing since my childhood and I gave my 1st performance when I was 15 at a wedding in Romania. Later on I took Bellydance classes and Folkloric dance lessons in Athens ( Greece) and also Yoga and Aerobics classes, for years.

In my country, Tsifteteli  is part of our life, but I prefer the Middle Eastern authentic style. All women bellydance (only a few men though). We teach each other and practice continuously in the endless Greek parties.

Young girls dance on the tables (!), while men are clapping, to 'keep the beat' and we entertain ourselves by bellydancing in clubs, in parties, in celebrations of our 'name-day', in all the social events.

I learned how to combine those Eastern moves with the 'line dances' from the Greek Mainland and the Greek Islands and to interpret the music through dance.

I was involved in the Shooting Sport for about 10 years, which taught me the importance of the breathing techniques and the self-control. For a while I tried 'karate', as a method of self-defense, but the danger of loosing my feminine side and my flexibility,made me stop it.

I found myself happy in Greek 'tsifteteli' Bellydancing, as the most effective way to improve my personal creativity, to express myself, to be Fit, Feminine and Flexible.

I've participated in several  Workshops in Greece and USA and I've met great Bellydancers in my homeland.

Now I live and teach Bellydance in Charlotte NC . There we focus on the artistic side of Bellydance, as a combination of many  moves, 'full warm up' program (no injuries!) and stretch-cool down techniques, isolations, undulations, rolls and slides, several moves at all levels of Improviasation.

 The intellectual side of my life  I've done classical studies  in Greece and have a PhD in Greek Philosophy ("The impact of Moral and Political theories upon the economic and social relationships between the citizens, according to Aristotle"). I've taught Ancient and Modern Greek language and Philosophy, for years, while also teaching Bellydance. I've participated as a lecturer in 6 International Comferances about ancient Greek Philosophy and I've collaborated with the Department of Philosophy in the University of Athens.

I'm one of the founders of the 'Aristolian Philosophy Group" "The LYCEUM" which organizes seminars in Athens.

I've also studied "TV script writing" and have taken Painting classes for two years.

 This intellectual side, combined with my strong artistic side, kept me in a perfect inner balance.