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 Monmouth Arts through funding
from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders,
and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.