FAMILY EXPECTATIONS AND FAQ’S
The following information is to help with general expectations for the dance year. Please never hesitate to reach out to any of the board members to address any questions. Also, remember to check the web site for information and important dates,
WHAT ARE COMMON EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS?
Dancers should arrive promptly 5 minutes before the scheduled class time and stay the entire practice. They are expected to follow directors’ instructions and abide by individual director expectations. If a director feels there are any concerns, he/she will talk with the dancer’s parents to ensure a successful dance experience.
Dancers are expected to attend dance practice regularly unless they have an arrangement with the directors. If a dancer is sick and cannot attend practice, the parent must send an email, text or phone call to the director so he/she is aware of the absence. If a dancer misses a significant number of practices, he/she may not be able to complete the dance season.
If a dancer chooses to participate in FDF (Folk Dance Festival), he/she is required to attend the extra dance practices assigned by the director. If the dancer misses more than three of those additional practices, he/she may not be allowed to participate in competition.
ARE PARENTS ALLOWED TO OBSERVE DANCE PRACTICE?
Parents are not allowed to sit in on practices because it is distracting to the dancers and directors. Parents should wait upstairs in the hallway or outside until the end of practice. There may also be volunteer opportunities during dance practice and parents are welcome to join in the activities, such as baking, deli preparations and sewing costumes.
IS IT OK TO LEAVE DANCE PRACTICE AFTER I DROP OFF MY KIDS?
Although their directors supervise dancers, there could be unforeseen incidents that require parent attention, especially for the younger grades. Parents are expected to stay within the church grounds or nearby with a contact phone number in the event of requiring parent assistance.
WHAT IS FDF?
FDF stands for Faith Dance Fellowship and it is an annual optional dance and choral competition where a
number of church dance groups perform. The competition usually takes place in California (with a few
exceptions) and St. Demetrios participates every year. Dancers will have the opportunity to sign up to
participate, but there are costs involved. The youngest group to perform for competition is the Akritakia
(grades 3, 4, 5, 6). The Kardoules group (grades 1 and 2) participates as an exhibition dance group. Parents can talk with the Board President for more details. FDF is in February – Presidents Day weekend. Dates for the 2024 FDF will be February 15-19, 2024, with Headquarters at the Anaheim Marriott. Website for FDF is www.yourfdf.org
I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS HELD FOR DANCE
ISSUES. ARE PARENTS ALLOWED TO SIT IN ON THESE MEETINGS?
Yes, parents are always invited to sit in on board meetings to hear about upcoming events or issues being
addressed.
WHAT IS THE DINNER DANCE RECITAL?
At the end of every Greek Dance season, the dancers participate in their final performance/recital to showcase what they’ve been working on during the year. The Dinner Dance Recital usually takes place in early May and marks the end of the dance season. This year’s dancer event is scheduled for May 11, 2024.
WHAT IS CHORAL?
The Choral group will be led by our Music Director, Chris Kouldukis. The children learn traditional songs that fit with the dance suites they are learning in their dance groups as well as Church Hymns. Dancers are not required to participate in choral – they can elect to participate. Choral members can choose to only participate in choral if they don’t want to dance.
WHAT IS THE WEBSITE TO ACCESS INFORMATION ABOUT GREEK DANCE?
You can visit www.stdemetriosseattlegreeks.com. The website will be updated regularly and
there will be a calendar of important dates.
HOW ARE BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED?
The St. Demetrios Dance Board is comprised of 15 members which includes four officers. Each member
serves a two-year term. A board member can serve two consecutive terms and then take a year off before being elected again. Every year, board members that complete a two-year term have the option of running for re-election or take a year off. If running for re-election, they are included in the list of candidates for dance families to vote. Elections take place in the spring. This year’s board members are as follows:
George Malevitsis – President Rachele Kyriacou
Steve Manos – Vice President Tina Little-Vouros
Elaine Newtson – Secretary Greg Sankey
Eleni Athans – Assistant Secretary Kathy Skafidas
Loui Velaoras – Treasurer Dina Carkonen
Maria Barbas – Advisor
Vasili Dikeakos
We are still in need of three more board members to make 15. If you are interested, please contact our
President, George Malevitsis, at George.malevitsis@gmail.com.
WHAT ARE THE DANCE GROUP NAMES, GRADE LEVELS AND PRACTICE
TIMES?
At this time the groups and times are as follows:
Choral –(All Sunday dancers) - Sundays in Church at 11:30 – 11:50 a.m.
Louloudakia (4 & 5 year olds) - Sundays – 11:50 -12:30 pm - Room 104
Kardoules (Grades 1 & 2) - Sundays – 11:50 -12:45 pm - Library
Akritakia (Grades 3,4,5,6) - Sundays – 11:50 – 1:15 pm - Small Hall
Spartiates (Grades 7,8,9,10) - Mondays - 6:00 - 7:30 pm - Large Hall
Souliotes (Grades 11,12,YA ) - Mondays – 7:30 – 9:00 pm - Large Hall
HOW CAN WE CONTACT THE DIRECTORS?
Parents will be given a list of directors with their emails and/or contact phone numbers.
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