( *subject to change* )
Anna Angelova | BULGARIA
Anna grew up in a small town in Northern Bulgaria where the lively local festivities (sabors) and traditional ceremonies kindled her interest
in folklore at an early age. Anna’s dance adventures started when she joined the town’s folk dance ensemble where she learned from
esteemed choreographers and performed along experienced dancers throughout her youth years.
Upon coming to the United States to further her education, Anna was introduced to the internationally acclaimed Ahmet Lüleci's Collage
Dance Ensemble: a unique experience that unlocked passion and appreciation for the greater Balkan magic and beyond. The eight years
Anna spent performing with Collage on local and national stages were instrumental for her growth as a dancer – from professional attitude
to stage presence to polished style to authentic connection with our ancestors through Ahmet's vibrant choreographies.
In 2022, Anna washonored to teach Bulgarian Dance at Ahmet’s annual World Camp in Rock Hill, New York.
With the start of her own family, Anna felt the need to be more involved in the local Bulgarian community. This is when she joined Ludo Mlado, a Bulgarian folk ensemble led by Pepi Petrov and Marieta Mirčeva. Anna connected with Ludo's mission to preserve the rich dance traditions of Bulgaria. An outstanding moment with Ludo was the opportunity to participate in the Chicago Folk Festival VEREA.
In addition to her continuous dive into the richness of authentic Bulgarian folklore, Anna has been intrigued by the expressive and passionate rhythms of the Romani dances, thus seeking to acquire further dance knowledge of their intricate folklore.
TO CONTACT ANNA ANGELOVA : [email protected]
Anna grew up in a small town in Northern Bulgaria where the lively local festivities (sabors) and traditional ceremonies kindled her interest
in folklore at an early age. Anna’s dance adventures started when she joined the town’s folk dance ensemble where she learned from
esteemed choreographers and performed along experienced dancers throughout her youth years.
Upon coming to the United States to further her education, Anna was introduced to the internationally acclaimed Ahmet Lüleci's Collage
Dance Ensemble: a unique experience that unlocked passion and appreciation for the greater Balkan magic and beyond. The eight years
Anna spent performing with Collage on local and national stages were instrumental for her growth as a dancer – from professional attitude
to stage presence to polished style to authentic connection with our ancestors through Ahmet's vibrant choreographies.
In 2022, Anna washonored to teach Bulgarian Dance at Ahmet’s annual World Camp in Rock Hill, New York.
With the start of her own family, Anna felt the need to be more involved in the local Bulgarian community. This is when she joined Ludo Mlado, a Bulgarian folk ensemble led by Pepi Petrov and Marieta Mirčeva. Anna connected with Ludo's mission to preserve the rich dance traditions of Bulgaria. An outstanding moment with Ludo was the opportunity to participate in the Chicago Folk Festival VEREA.
In addition to her continuous dive into the richness of authentic Bulgarian folklore, Anna has been intrigued by the expressive and passionate rhythms of the Romani dances, thus seeking to acquire further dance knowledge of their intricate folklore.
TO CONTACT ANNA ANGELOVA : [email protected]
Joe Graziosi | GREECE
Joe, a Boston native, earned his B.A. in history (cum laude) from Brandeis University. His research on Greek folk dance spans fieldwork in Greece and within Greek communities in the U.S. and Canada.
His formal study began during a semester abroad in Athens, where he worked with noted folklorist Ted Petrides. He later directed the Meraklides Folk Dance Troupe, sponsored by the NEA and Ethnic Folk Arts Center, and authored a companion booklet on Greek music and dance.
Joe co-founded the Greek-American Folklore Society in Astoria, NY, and has taught Greek dance widely across North America, Japan, and Taiwan. He has lectured at UCLA and UCSB and has served as advisor and judge for the Greek Orthodox Diocese’s annual Folk Dance Festival since 1985.
TO CONTACT JOE GRAZIOSI :
Steve Kotansky | BALKAN
Steve Kotansky, known widely as a versatile dancer and teacher, has made many research trips to Bulgaria, the former Yugoslavia, Romania, Hungary, Greece, and Albania. He has been a regular on our teaching staff for many years, has taught at major folk dance camps all over North America and Europe and has performed and choreographed for many performing ensembles throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Steve is active as a teacher and researcher of dance in North American Albanian and Macedonian Roma communities.
He also conducts world dance programs for grades K-12 in New York-area public and private schools.
Steve brings a lively, in-depth knowledge to his teaching, and an intense joy to his dancing. He lives in the New York City area.
TO CONTACT STEVE KOTANSKY : [email protected]
Steve Kotansky, known widely as a versatile dancer and teacher, has made many research trips to Bulgaria, the former Yugoslavia, Romania, Hungary, Greece, and Albania. He has been a regular on our teaching staff for many years, has taught at major folk dance camps all over North America and Europe and has performed and choreographed for many performing ensembles throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Steve is active as a teacher and researcher of dance in North American Albanian and Macedonian Roma communities.
He also conducts world dance programs for grades K-12 in New York-area public and private schools.
Steve brings a lively, in-depth knowledge to his teaching, and an intense joy to his dancing. He lives in the New York City area.
TO CONTACT STEVE KOTANSKY : [email protected]
Ahmet Lüleci | TURKEY
A native of Turkey, Ahmet taught several excellent ensembles in Turkey. Since arriving in North America,
he has taught at the major camps throughout the U.S. as well as in Asia, Europe, Australia and South America.
He is the founder and artistic director of award winning Collage Dance Ensemble of Boston.
His college major was music. Ahmet's fascination with dance and music led him to conduct scholarly research
into the historical, social and cultural background of the costumes and spoon dances from Turkey's Mediterranean coast.
His efforts resulted in an exhaustive, 400 page study for which he was awarded First Place in the 1985 national competition
in research on the folkdances of Turkey by the Turkish ministry of Youth, Sports, and Education. In 1997 Ahmet completed
a second degree in Fine Arts.
Ahmet recently produced three documentaries and his first one, "In Their Footsteps" has won the "Best Documentary Award"
at the Boston Turkish Fim Festival. Ahmet organize cultural tours to Turkey (and Japan with Fusae Carroll)) every year,
please contact him for more info.
TO CONTACT AHMET LULECI : www.luleci.com | [email protected] | www.danstur.com
A native of Turkey, Ahmet taught several excellent ensembles in Turkey. Since arriving in North America,
he has taught at the major camps throughout the U.S. as well as in Asia, Europe, Australia and South America.
He is the founder and artistic director of award winning Collage Dance Ensemble of Boston.
His college major was music. Ahmet's fascination with dance and music led him to conduct scholarly research
into the historical, social and cultural background of the costumes and spoon dances from Turkey's Mediterranean coast.
His efforts resulted in an exhaustive, 400 page study for which he was awarded First Place in the 1985 national competition
in research on the folkdances of Turkey by the Turkish ministry of Youth, Sports, and Education. In 1997 Ahmet completed
a second degree in Fine Arts.
Ahmet recently produced three documentaries and his first one, "In Their Footsteps" has won the "Best Documentary Award"
at the Boston Turkish Fim Festival. Ahmet organize cultural tours to Turkey (and Japan with Fusae Carroll)) every year,
please contact him for more info.
TO CONTACT AHMET LULECI : www.luleci.com | [email protected] | www.danstur.com
