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Christiana Kyratzouli
Position:Owner / Instructor
Email:info@greek-shades.com
Biography:
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Christiana has danced her entire (walking) life, beginning formal dance training in classical ballet at the age of four and expanding to American Style Latin-Ballroom at age 10. Her passion for dance and the interpretation of experience led her to move to Los Angeles in 2004 to pursue a degree in Speech Communication from La Verne University. Pursuing additional certifications in Human Resource Management (UCLA), Pilates (BASI -- Dance Specialization) and Zumba, Christiana has dedicated herself to sharing her passion for dance, language and artistic expression. Christiana’s teaching philosophy encompasses three main points: academic rigor, accessibility and creative freedom. As an instructor, Christiana focuses on accommodating the needs and interests of her students from ages four to 70; from second-generation Greeks looking to expand their vocabulary or improve their conversations with their yiayias to soon-to-be newlyweds hoping to nail that first waltz or tango to professionals or researchers developing practical language and cultural skills to expand their career.
Christiana welcomes any level of skill and encourages potential students to look in on any of her numerous classes. At the moment, Christiana is teaching semi-private classes at GreekShades in Greek Traditional Dance, Tsifteteli (Greek Belly Dance), Latin Heat (high energy cardio assorted Latin style dances), and Pilates Dance. At St. Sophia Cathedral Christiana teaches Greek traditional dancing for kids 3 - 12 and Modern Greek language adult classes. Christiana also teaches individual lessons in Ballroom and Latin dance, Waltz, Tango, Fox-Trot, Salsa, Mambo, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Swing and Greek folk dances (Hasapiko, Zeibekiko, Nisiotiko, Syrto, Hasaposerviko, Tsamiko, Kalamatiano, Tsifteteli, Zonaradiko, Ikariotiko, Pedozali, Sta tria, Ballo and more upon request). Christiana also teaches Modern Greek language individually and online depending on the needs or preferences of the student.
As a dancer, Christiana has received numerous accolades, placing at 2011 Emerald Ball, 2011 San Francisco Open and 2016 California Open. Christiana has served as choreographer for many weddings and other formal events (private and public), leading in-person lessons as well as producing videos and other media to teach members of wedding parties, theater troupes or other performers in public events (e.g. plays, Greek culture appreciation events) dance steps or pronunciation tips and tricks. For more detailed evaluations of her lessons and teaching style, please see Christiana's testimonials.
Due to her extensive technical training in Ballroom, Latin and Greek Traditional Dance and academic expertise in second language acquisition and cross-cultural communication, Christiana maintains a thorough understanding of the nuance and context involved in the teaching and learning process. In teaching language and dance, Christiana brings multiple perspectives from different fields and approaches to cultivate an individualized curriculum tailored to each student's goals and needs. Ms. Kyratzouli is a modern teacher for a modern environment, fostering individual creativity and expression while providing the theory and structure for a well-rounded and informed perspective that maintains the integrity of the source material. In bringing together the academic and the artistic, Christiana fosters an inclusive and engaging learning environment that is applicable and accessible to all ages and needs.
Christiana welcomes any level of skill and encourages potential students to look in on any of her numerous classes. At the moment, Christiana is teaching semi-private classes at GreekShades in Greek Traditional Dance, Tsifteteli (Greek Belly Dance), Latin Heat (high energy cardio assorted Latin style dances), and Pilates Dance. At St. Sophia Cathedral Christiana teaches Greek traditional dancing for kids 3 - 12 and Modern Greek language adult classes. Christiana also teaches individual lessons in Ballroom and Latin dance, Waltz, Tango, Fox-Trot, Salsa, Mambo, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Swing and Greek folk dances (Hasapiko, Zeibekiko, Nisiotiko, Syrto, Hasaposerviko, Tsamiko, Kalamatiano, Tsifteteli, Zonaradiko, Ikariotiko, Pedozali, Sta tria, Ballo and more upon request). Christiana also teaches Modern Greek language individually and online depending on the needs or preferences of the student.
As a dancer, Christiana has received numerous accolades, placing at 2011 Emerald Ball, 2011 San Francisco Open and 2016 California Open. Christiana has served as choreographer for many weddings and other formal events (private and public), leading in-person lessons as well as producing videos and other media to teach members of wedding parties, theater troupes or other performers in public events (e.g. plays, Greek culture appreciation events) dance steps or pronunciation tips and tricks. For more detailed evaluations of her lessons and teaching style, please see Christiana's testimonials.
Due to her extensive technical training in Ballroom, Latin and Greek Traditional Dance and academic expertise in second language acquisition and cross-cultural communication, Christiana maintains a thorough understanding of the nuance and context involved in the teaching and learning process. In teaching language and dance, Christiana brings multiple perspectives from different fields and approaches to cultivate an individualized curriculum tailored to each student's goals and needs. Ms. Kyratzouli is a modern teacher for a modern environment, fostering individual creativity and expression while providing the theory and structure for a well-rounded and informed perspective that maintains the integrity of the source material. In bringing together the academic and the artistic, Christiana fosters an inclusive and engaging learning environment that is applicable and accessible to all ages and needs.