Welcome
Founded
in 1972, The Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, is a group of 40 young
adults who are first, second, or third generation Greek-Americans, and
are dedicated to perpetuating their heritage through enthusiastic
performances of the regional folk dances of Greece.
Under Master
Instructor Eleni Chakalos more than 300 dances, songs, and related
traditions have been preserved. These are indigenous to mainland Greece,
its islands, and Asia Minor, and have been passed on to two generations
of Greek Americans and the American public. Their traditional music and
folk dance is representative of a cross-section of these diverse
regions, past and present. Performed in authentic ethnic dress, the
Hellenic's wardrobe represents the 20 regions from which the dances
originated, including: Macedonia, Thrace, the Peloponnese, Epiros,
Roumeli, Crete, Cyprus, the various island groups; and Pontos,
Cappadocia, and Ikonion in Asia Minor.
The
troupe has performed at Presidential rallies and inaugurations, for the royalty
and ambassadors of several nations, the NJ State Ethnic and Diversity Festival,
won first prize at the Garden State Arts Center intra-State Competition, sent
dancers for the Closing Ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece,
as well as many other Greek and culturally diverse festivals and special
programs.
This program is made possible in part by funds from Monmouth Arts,
a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and
the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.