The Hellenic Dancers of NJ reach out to the public through dance, an art form that is a common voice in every culture. Each culture has evolved some kind of dance expression which reflects the milestones of life. In the Greek tradition, dance teaches the values and history of each region, and encompasses daily life. These folk dances weave stories through their portrayal of weddings and courting; victory in battle and lamentation of death; baking bread; fetching water from the communal spring; the harvest; fishing; wine festivals and carnival. Each dance expresses the history and daily life of a specific region. Celebrating their culture and heritage by bringing this ancient tradition to the American public, the Hellenic Dancers of NJ reinvigorate Greek-Americans with a new awareness and a sense of pride for their inheritance.

Today, the mission of the Hellenic Dancers of NJ is to continue to research, perpetuate and perform the regional folk dances of Greece within the Greek community, and to share these rich, cultural traditions with the American public, especially within their culturally diverse home state of New Jersey. The Hellenic Dancers’ desire to share their cultural identity and the pride that they feel for their Greek heritage is evident in the precision and enthusiasm that they bring to each performance.

They continue their mission by sharing the richness of their Greek inheritance with younger dancers and by assuring a sense of pride and cultural awareness with each generation.