The Pancretan Association of Melbourne in association with the Tzanidakis Folklore Group has announced a 21-day Cretan Dance Seminar Tour.
The seminars will be given by the acclaimed Cretan dance teachers/choreographers Christos Tzanidakis and Olga Kostaki of the Tzanidakis Folklore Group (Λαογραφικός Όμιλος Τζανιδάκη).
The Pancretan Association of Melbourne invites Greek Australians — whether they are of Cretan origin or not — to learn about Cretan culture through dance, music and song and have fun doing it.
Christos and Olga will cover over 20 traditional Cretan dances from various regions of Crete, using a methodology that will be easy to follow by all students at all levels.
The 21-day program includes lessons open to the public, sessions at the Greek schools of Melbourne as well as members-only sessions for the Pancretan Association’s dancing groups.
The sessions open to the public will be held on Friday, May 11 at the Cretan Village, 90 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South and on Friday, May 18 at The Greek Centre, Lonsdale St, Melbourne.
The school sessions are being conducted on various days throughout the tour at the following schools: St John’s Greek Orthodox College, Alphington Grammar and Oakleigh Grammar.
The teachers, Christos Tzanidakis and Maria Stagakis, are proud children of Crete, dedicated to preserving and spreading to as many people as possible Cretan heritage and its rich culture.
Christos, born in 1989 in Rethymno, Crete is the son of Andreas Tzanidakis from the village of Eleftherna. Maria Stagakis from the Village of Koumous.
Christos teaches dance in several villages in the Prefect of Rethymno to students of all age. He has danced in many Cretan dance groups and has performed all over Greece.
In collaboration with friends and other distinguished musicians, he has also established his own traditional band, giving concerts and also playing in weddings, festivals and other community events.
In 2015, Christos took it a step further and established his own music and dance school, offering hundreds of children the joy of dancing traditional Cretan steps and learning Cretan culture.
Olga is an experienced dancer and established choreographer, also teaching different groups from all over Rethymno. She has also completed extensive research in the Cretan history, culture and folklore.
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