Click each individual profile to learn more about our instructors.
Junior Division Instructors
Favorite region: Anatoliki Romylia
Favorite dance: Tsestos
Theodore, known as “Teddy,” is one of the Junior Division instructors and an active member of the Senior Division of Romiosyni Dance Group. Teddy has over 20 years of experience with the group as a performer. Before becoming a teacher, Teddy not only helped teach fellow dancers but also assisted with refining dancer’s regional styling. He also assisted transitioning new members into the Senior Division.
He has received training within Canada through dance seminars such as Klironomia and learning from other teachers who have taught the Romiosyni dance group both previous and currently.
Outside of dance, he is a well known for being a avid gamer and player of trading cards, as well as a listener of heavy metal music, and sporting several of his favourite band shirts to practices through out the year.
Education:
BA in Community Design (Dalhousie University 2019) and a Diploma in the Architectural Engineering Program (Nova Scotia Community College 2015).
Favorite Region: Northern Aegean Islands
Favorite Dance: Ikariotikos
Constadina better known as Dina will be one of the instructors for the Romiosyni Junior Dance Group and continue to dance with the senior division in the upcoming year. With over 14 years’ experience in Greek dancing, seven of which have been with the dance group, Dina hopes to pass on her passion for traditional Greek dancing to the newer generation!
Dina has attended dance seminars in Canada such as Klironomia, travelled to different regions of Greece and learned from her own dance instructors to begin and continue to build a base of knowledge that she can share with other dancers.
When not at dance practice, Dina is a well-known athlete and coach in competitive swimming. Her several coaching certifications that range from basic mental skills to ethics to teaching and learning will hopefully aid in keeping the dance group organized and on track while having fun! You will often see Dina sporting some sort of swim gear and a messy bun because there is rarely a minute she doesn’t spend at the pool!
Education
BSc in Biochemistry (Dalhousie University expected graduation in 2022)
Intermediate Division Instructors
PROFILE COMING SOON!
PROFILE COMING SOON!
Senior Division Instructors:
PROFILE COMING SOON!
PROFILE COMING SOON!
Favorite region: Pontos
Favorite dance: Serra
With over 30 years experience as a dancer and 16 years as a dance instructor, Aki’s passion and knowledge for Greek dance has been a large part of his life. His goal is to learn, teach, and preserve Hellenic dance and culture by passing on his knowledge to others. His philosophy entails a holistic approach to teaching and showcasing authentic Greek dances and traditions to all generations and audiences.
He began his teaching career as secondary instructor for the Greek School and Romiosyni’s women’s division in 2003. In 2005, he became one of the senior division instructors which he currently teaches. He is also a member of the Greek Community’s dance committee which oversees all Greek dance-related initiatives in Halifax. He is also a mentor and guide for the instructors in the group.
He’s received training in Canada and Greece through various dance seminars and has been involved with dance research in and out of the field. Despite that he has a vast knowledge of dances from all over Greece, his Pontic background (3rd generation) motivated him to learn and research the dances and traditions of his papou. Other areas of specialization include dances, traditions, and songs of Peloponissos (his other “home”), Kriti, Anatoliki Romylia, Evros (Thraki), Makedonia (Drama, Serres, and Florina), Sarakatsanoi (Polites), and the Vlachs of eastern Makedonia (Grammoustianoi).
Aki formerly taught with the HRSB (HRCE) as a secondary teacher. Over the past 10 years, he turned his attention to adult learning as an instructional designer/e-learning specialist, curriculum developer, university instructor, and learning-centered researcher within the contexts of on-the-job training (both military/public/private sectors), higher education, adult education, English as an Additional Language, and cultural education. Aki is a former tutor and provides consultations regarding instructional design and e-learning.
When he finds time outside of family his life, Aki works away at his masters thesis which presents faculty with options to become more learning-centered with their teaching. He also plays soccer all year round, follows his beloved Olympiacos, and is obsessed with everything Star Wars!
Education:
Aki has a BA in History/Political Science (Saint Mary’s University (2006)), a BSc (Secondary Education) from University of Maine at Presque Isle (2009), and is currently writing his thesis to complete his MAEd (Mount Saint Vincent University). He currently holds a TC5 License (NS Department of Education) and a TESL Certificate (Saint Mary’s University).
PROFILE COMING SOON!
Aspasia “Sia” Boukistianos (Ryan): Mat Leave
Alumni (Former Instructors)
JP Angelopoulos
Andrew Botas
Chris Fasoulis
Kalli Mavrogiannis
Billy Nikolaou
Dimitri Panopalis
Maria Panopalis
Tina Panopalis
Veloudo Tasiopoulos
Alex Theoharopoulos
George Theoharopoulos