Folk Dance Teacher Biographies

Compiled by Dick Oakes

This folk dance teacher list is not comprehensive. It is compiled from what information we had or could conveniently gather. Its intent is to be a historical record of biographies of those instructors who paved the way, as well as those who are currently active. We welcome your additions, contributions, changes, corrections, and photos (those aren't broken links, we just don't have the photos!).

~Dick Oakes

CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

2002 California Statewide Festival
and NFO Conference
Dick Crum, Morry Gelman, Larry Weiner, Vonnie Brown,
Dennis Boxell, Dick Oakes, Andor Czompo.

Finder

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z

Viviana Acosta (Mexican)
Frances Ajoian (Armenian)
Tayyar Akdeniz (Turkish)
Don Allen (American Squares)
Francisca Reyes Aquino (Filipino)
George and Irina Arabagi (Ukrainian, Moldavian)
Don Armstrong (Contras, squares, folk, quadrilles, old-time rounds)
Juha-Matti Aronen and Leena Yläneva (Finnish)
Yo'av Ashriel (Israeli)
Pece Atanasovski (Macedonian)
Ed Austin (International, Welsh, Clogging)
Vasil Avramenko (Ukrainian)

Shlomo and Dina Bachar (Israeli)
Roberto Bagnoli (Italian, international)
Vesna Bajić and Saša Stojiljković (Serbian)
Glenn and Evelyn Bannerman (Appalachian Big Circle and clogging)
Beverly and Irwin Barr (International)
Wim Bekooy (Dutch, Balkan, international)
Vytautas Beliajus (Lithuanian, international)
Erik Bendix (International)
Nils Bergquist (International)
Fred Berk (Israeli)
Grace Bernhard (Hawaiian, Polynesian)
René and Frances Besné (Bulgarian)
Georg and Marguerite Bidstrup (International)
Louise Bilman (Greek)
Sunni Bloland (Romanian)
Per-Erik and Angela Boij (Czech)
František Bonuš (Czech)
Edith Bourbin (Greek, international)
Benoit Bourque (French Canadian)
Dennis Boxell (Balkan)
Iliana Bozhanova and Lyuben Dossev (Bulgarian)
Tom Bozigian and Sheree King (Armenian)
Bashkim Braho (Albanian)
David Brandon (Scottish Country Dance)
Mary Branigan (Scottish Country Dance)
Camille Brochu (Bulgarian, French Canadian)
Vonnie Brown (Czech)
Elizabeth Burchenal (International)
Billy and Susie Burke (Balkan, International)

Patricia Campbell (Colonial, 18th Century)
Yoni Carr (Israeli, ballroom)
Michel and Marie Cartier (Bulgarian, Balkan, international)
Mario Casetta (International)
Betty and John Casey (Square dance, round dance, international)
Susan Cashion (Mexican)
Mario Casillas (International)
Louis Chalif (Russian, Ukrainian, international)
Chang Ching-shan and Chen Fang-chih (Taiwanese)
Hazel Chung (Indonesian)
Eugene Ciejka (Polish)
Silviu Ciuciumiş (Romanian)
Sibyl Clark (English Country)
Sherry Cochran (Balkan, international)
Paul Collins (Contra, American Squares)
Paula Kermiet Connolly (American Squares)
Alix Cordray (Norwegian, Scandinavian)
Mary Coros (Greek)
Gary Coyne (Hungarian Cycles)
C. Ward Crampton (International)
Caroline Crawford (International)
Dick Crum (Bulgarian, Serbian, Romanian, Slovenian, Balkan, International)
Stella Marek Cushing (International)
Lucile Czarnowski (International)
Andor and Ann Czompo (Hungarian)

Susanna Daley (Finnish)
Ami Dalyot (Israeli)
Cathy Dark (International)
Dani Dassa (Israeli)
David Dassa (Israeli)
Alexandru David (Russian, Romanian)
Mihai David (Romanian)
Dorothy and Tom Daw (International)
Candi deAlaiza (Basque)
Alura Flores de Angeles (Mexican)
Tom Deering (Balkan)
Bianca de Jong (Bulgarian, Turkish, international)
Duygu Demirlioglu (Turkish, Armenian, Assyrian)
Rose Marie de Reyes (Mexican)
Ciga Despotović (Yugoslavian)
Rosina Didyk (Hungarian, international)
Ivan Dimitrov (Bulgarian)
Raul and Nora Dinzelbacher (Argentine Tango)
Celest DiPietropaolo and Marie DiCocco (Italian)
Shawn Donaldson (Balkan, Middle Eastern)
Iris Dragan (Polynesian)
Dénes Dreisziger and Gissella Santayana (Hungarian)
Jimmy Drury (Balkan, international)
Liz Drury (Mexican)
Nelda Drury (Mexican)
Jerry Duke (Clogging)
Elsie Dunin (Croatia, Macedonia, and Romani (Gypsy) in Macedonia)
Paul and Gretel Dunsing (German, Austrian, international)
Richard and Ruth Levin Duree (Balkan, Hungarian, international)
Ada Dziewanowska (Polish)
Basia Dziewanowska (Polish)
Jaś Dziewanowski (Polish)

Peter and Margaret Eccles (English Country Dance)
Ya'akov Eden (Israeli)
David Edery (Israeli)
Gordon Engler (Balkan, Hungarian, international)
Tommy and Ewa Englund (Swedish)
Fred and Mary Enholm (English, international)
Paul Erfer (International)
Helene Eriksen (Islamic Oriental, Balkan)
Moshe Eskayo (Israeli)
Vincent and Robin Evanchuk (Ukrainian, Cajun)

Jane Farwell (Scandinavian, international)
John Filcich (Yugoslavian, international)
Cristian Florescu and Sonia Dion (Romanian)
George A. Fogg (English Country Dance)
Sue Foy (Eastern European)
Mae Fraley (Italian, contras)
Toni Francis (Israeli, international)
Joan Friedberg (Greek, Balkan)
Robyn Friend (Persian)
Saul and Suzy Frommer (International)

May Gadd (English Country Dance)
Ghanima Gaditana (Oriental Dance)
Bora and Marge Gajicki (Serbian)
Eliyahu Gamli'el (Israeli)
Ned and Marion Gault (Hungarian, International)
Michael Gelman (German, Austrian, Transylvanian, Bulgarian, international)
Morry Gelman (German, Bavarian, Austrian, international)
Merilyn Gentry and Nora Nuckles (Hawaiian, Tahitian, Polynesian)
Michael Ginsburg (Balkan)
Steve Glaser (Balkan)
Barry Glass (Balkan)
Henry Glass (Mexican, international)
Jim Gold (International)
Erica Goldman (Israeli)
Ed and Carol Goller (Swedish, Scandinavian)
Vicky Goodloe (Scottish)
Ayalah Goren-Kadman (Israeli)
Todor and Irina Gotchev (Bulgarian)
Karin Gottier (German, Swiss, French)
Jim Graham (International)
Joe Graziosi (Greek)
Sharon Green (English Country Dance)
Edy Greenblatt (Israeli, International)
Madelynne Greene (International)
Herb Greggerson (West Texas Squares)
Walter Grothe (International)
Luther Gulick (International)
Ruth Browns Gundelfinger (Israeli)
Elba Gurzau (Italian, International)

Moshiko Halevy (Yemenite, Israeli)
Alexander Hamilton (Welsh)
Bruce Hamilton (English, Scottish)
John Hancock (International)
Lawton and Sally Harris (Scandinavian, international)
Danny and Joan Hathaway (Irish, Celtic, international)
Germain and Louise Hébert (French)
Dusán Hégli (Hungaruan)
Jerry Helt (American Squares)
Graham Hempel (Contra, Russian, Georgian, Ukrainian, Yugoslavian)
David Henry (Greek)
Michael and Mary Ann Herman (International)
Shalom Hermon (Israeli)
Benjamin Hernández (Mexican folklorico)
Roy Hilburn (Squares, contras, Cajun, international)
Nicholaas and Maki Hilferink (Romanian, ballet)
Mary Wood Hinman (Gymnastic, Swedish, international)
Erik Hoffman (Contras, family dances)
Huig Hofman (German, Flemmish)
Rickey Holden (American Squares and Contra Dances, international)
Ken Horwege (Clogging, Appalachian)
Ron and Tatiana Houston (International)
Thea Huijgen (Balkan, international, ballet, tap, hip-hop)
Yvonne Hunt (Greek, Balkan)
Dale Hyde (Canadian)

Moshe Idan (Balkan)
Georgi and Jordanka Iliev (Bulgarian)
Petur Iliev (Bulgarian)
Boris Ilievski (Macedonian)
Carmen Irminger (Swiss)
Stan Isaacs (Israeli, International)
Anthony Ivancich (International)
Daniela Ivanova - Vayan and Angel Nazlamov (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian)
Iwao Tamaoki (Japanese)

Per and Margareta Jennische (Swedish)
Mary Bee Jensen (International)
Želko Jergan (Croatian)
Arden Johnson (Squares)
Nick Jordanoff (Balkan)
Anatol Joukowsky and Yania Wassilieva (International)

Gurit Kadman (Israeli)
Cavit Kangöz (Turkish)
Jonathon Karmon (Israeli)
Athan Karras (Greek)
M. G. Karsner (English, Danish, international)
Nina Kavardjikova (Bulgarian)
Larry and Joanne Keithley (International)
Jennifer Kelly (Scottish)
Chris Kermiet (Squares, contras, international)
Paul and Pauline Kermiet (Squares, international)
Teme Kernerman (Israeli)
Harry Khamis (Swedish, Scandinavian, internationsl)
Ercüment Kılıç (Turkish)
Nora Kindness (Scottish)
Éva Maria Kish (Hungarian)
Jan Knoppers (International)
Lambert Knox (Round Dancing)
Martin Koenig (Balkan)
Walter Kögler (German)
Atanas Kolarovski (Macedonian)
Abe Konegson (Irish)
Hennie Konings (Russian)
Yannis Konstantinou (Greek)
Radboud Koop (Russian, International)
Kostana (Turkish Oriental, Turkish Romani, Danse Orientale)
Tanya Kostova (Bulgarian)
Steve and Susan Kotansky (Balkan)
Marija Krapcevich (Serbian)
Richard G. Kraus (American Squares, Play Party Dances)
Nikola Krčadinac (Serbia)
Ed Kremers (American Squares, international)
Ed Kremers Jr. (American Squares)
Carolyn Krueger (Middle Eastern, Central Asian)
Tom Kruskal (English Country Dance)
Michael Kuharski (International)
Olga Kulbitsky (International)

Rod and Helen LaFarge (Squares, international)
Dvora Lapson (Israeli, international)
Dudley and Jaqueline Laufman (Contras, New England Barn Dances)
Jim Lavita (Scandinavian, International)
Jaap Leegwater (Bulgarian, Balkan, Dutch)
Bob Leibman (Balkan)
Lisa Lekis (Latin American, Caribbean)
Roo Lester (Scandinavian, Hungarian, Spanish Basque, international)
Sara Levi-Tanai (Israeli)
Morley Leyton (Polish)
Bill and Louise Lidicker (Czech, Russian, International)
Miriam Lidster (Israeli, International)
Noel Lillie (Scottish)
Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian (Armenian, Assyrian, Arabic, Greek)
Jerry Joris Lindsay (International, novelty)
Dean and Nancy Linscott (Hungarian, international)
Ann Litvin (Israeli, Balkan, international)
James Lomath (Scottish)
Sanna Longden (Play party, international)
Larisa Lucaci (Romanian)
Ahmet Lüleci (Turkish)
John Lulias (Greek)
Greg Lund (Clogging)
Paula Luv (Hula)
Larry Lynch (Irish)

Iain MacFarlane (Scottish)
Kálmán and Judith Magyar (Hungarian)
Vicki Maheu (Irish, international)
Dimitar Manov (Bulgarian)
Michael Marangio (Social dance, Charleston, Lindy Hop, Shag, Swing)
Miroslav Marčetić (Serbian, Eastern European)
Jacek and Bożena Marek (Polish)
Dolores Mariano (Filipino)
Sarah Anindo Marshall (African)
Tom Masterson (Ukrainian)
Vilma Matchette (Armenian, Greek)
Danny Matousek (International)
Jean and Nibs Matthews (English Country Dance)
Anna Mavrou (Greek)
Kalliopi Mavrou (Greek)
Bruce McClure (Scottish)
Maire McGranahan (Irish)
Jack and Lucile McKay (American Squares, Contras, Rounds)
Robert and Barbara McOwen (Scottish)
Phil Merrill (English)
Joe Miller (Russian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Polish)
Jean C. Milligan (Scottish)
Bruce Mitchell (International)
Carolyn Mitchill (American Squares, international)
Kyriakos Moisidis (Greek)
Bea Montross (International)
Yves Moreau (Bulgarian)
John Morovich (Croatian)
James E. Morrison (American, American Colonial)
Virgil Morton (International)
Marcus Moskoff (Bulgarian)
Paul Mulders (Yugoslavian, Macedonian, Roma)
Kay Munn (Scottish)

Zoltán Nagy (Hungarian)
Mary Neal (English)
Sonny and Nancy Newman (Tango, Greek)
Rikki Nicolae (Turkish, Bulgarian)
Grace Perryman Nicholes (International)
Jean Noble (Scottish)

Dick Oakes (International)
Jeff O'Connor (Big Circle Mountain Clog)
Knut and Bodil Odnes (Norwegian)
Una and Sean O'Farrell (Irish)
John Omorean (Romanian)
Lee Otterholt (International)
Susan Ounjian (Armenian)
Margalit Oved (Yemenite)
John Owen (English Country Dance)
Bora Özkök (Turkish)
Piyale and Taner Öztek (Turkish)

P Q

Ralph Page (American Squares, Contras)
David Paletz (Israeli)
Csaba Pálfi (Hungarian)
Kristalli Papadopoulos (Greek)
John Pappas (Greek)
Tony Parkes (Contras, squares)
Bernardo T. Pedere (Filipino)
Maurice Perez (Israeli)
Ted Petrides (Greek)
Albert Pill (Mexican)
Bill Pillich (Social Dance)
Ralph Piper (Squares, Contras)
Gheorge and Eugenia Popescu-Judetz (Romanian)
Richard Powers (Social Dance, Vintage Dance)
Marcel Provonost (International)
Emilio Pulido (Mexican)
Dobrivoje Putnik ( Serbian)

Carolyn Rapkievian (Armenian, international, character ballet, ballroom)
Janet Reineck (Albanian, Western European, Eastern European)
Maria Reisch (International)
Alice Reisz (Hungarian)
Radomil Rejšek and Eva Rejšková (Czechoslovakian)
Mikki Revenaugh (International)
Francisca Reyes-Aquino (Filipino)
Jana Rickel (International)
Šani Rifati (Romani)
Suzanne Rocca-Butler (Serbian, Macedonian, international)
Pirkko Roecker (Fundamentals of Motion and Rhythm)
Lynn and Katherine Rohrbough (International)
James M. Roncević (Romanian)
Tom Roncević (Yugoslav, Bulgarian)
Dave Rosenberg (German, international)
W. Lilian Ross (Scottish)
Ruth Ruling (International)

Neal Sandler (Balkan, Hungarian)
Olga Sandolowich (Macedonian, Balkan)
Daniel Sandu (Romanian)
Ted Sannella (American)
Ferenc and Zsusanna Sára (Hungarian)
Nikos Savvidis (Pontic Greek)
June Schaal (Finnish, Scandinavian)
Don Schillinger (Israeli)
Jim Schlesinger (Bulgarian, Balkan)
Richard Schmidt (Polish)
Burt and Therese Scholin (International)
Fredda Seidenbaum (Cajun, zydeco)
Jan Sejda (Polish)
Ersin Seyhan (Turkish)
Laura Shannon (Armenian, Balkan, Gypsy)
Cecil Sharp (English)
Sheila Sharpe (Israeli)
Lloyd Shaw (American Squares, Rounds, Contras)
Anthony Shay (Persian, international)
Paul Sheldon (International)
Diki Shields (Greek, international)
Katina Shields (Greek, clogging)
Genevieve Shimer (English Country Dance)
David Shochat (Bulgarian, Balkan)
Audrey Silva (International, ballroom, vintage)
Marie Silva (Danse Orientale)
Vasilios Sioulas (Greek)
Anne Gani Sirota (Greek)
John Skow (Balkan, international)
Dave and Fran Slater (International)
Slobodan Slović (Serbian)
Ann Smerciu (Romanian, international)
C. Stewart Smith (Scottish)
Marilyn Smith (French)
David Smuckler (American Contras, Squares, Mixers)
Alison Snow (Turkish)
Ingvar and Sally Sodal (Scandinavian)
John Sofios (Greek)
Ted Sofios (Greek)
Nena Šokčić (Croatian)
Ventzi and Zoya Sotirov (Bulgarian)
Don Sparks (International)
Sandy Starkman (International)
Katherine St. John (Caucasian, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, international)
Orsolya Strack (Hungarian)
Rivka Sturman (Israeli)
Istvan Szabó (Hungarian)
Szilárd Szabó and Ildikó Németh (Hungarian)
Tamás Szappanos and Kristina Baji (Hungarian)

Samira Tamer (Mid-Eastern, Turkish)
Chris Tasulis (Greek)
Bruce Taylor (Scandinavian)
Conny and Marianne Taylor (International)
Mady Taylor (Balkan, Greek, International)
Andy Taylor-Blenis (Scottish, Portuguese, international)
Sergei Temoff (Russian)
Georgi and Vaerie Terzieff (Russian)
Bonnie Jean and Tommy Thomas (Appalachian clog, big circle, squares)
Allison Thompson (English)
Hugh Thurston (Scottish, International)
John and Susan Tiffany (Scottish, International)
Sándor Timár (Hungarian)
Bentzi Tiram (Israeli)
Tibor Toghia (Hungarian)
George Tomov (Macedonian)
Gordon Tracie (Scandinavian)
Donna and Doug Tripp (Scandinavian, international)
Loui Tucker (Israeli, international)
Richard Turcotte (French-Canadian)

Rudy Ulibarrí (German, Mexican, international)
Elizabeth and Alfred Ullrich (German, Flemish)
Richard Unciano (Bulgarian)
Ezher Üremez (Turkish, Israeli, international)
Marius and Maria Ursu (Romanian)
Danni Uziel (Israeli)

Stefan Vagralov (Bulgarian)
Elinor Vandegrift (Scottish)
Femke van Doorn (Netherlandic)
Tineke van Geel (Armenian)
Theodor and Lia Vasilescu (Romanian)
Zoran Vasiljević (Balkan)
David Vinski (Balkan, Armenian)
Vern and Millie von Konsky (International)
Mary Vouras (Greek)
Rubi Vučeta (Balkan)

Carol Walker (Balkan)
Mary Wallace and Ferenc Tobac (Hungarian)
Joe Wallin (Scottish)
Marilyn Wathen (French, French Canadian)
Bobby Watson ( Scottish)
Glenn Weber (Polish)
Larry Weiner (Balkan)
Ira Weisburd (Israeli, international)
John Williams (Scottish)
Alex Wilson (Hungarian, International)
Ron Wixman (Bulgarian, Armenian, Macedonian, Balkan)
Lucy Wnuk (Polish)
Vivian Woll (International)

X Y Z

Israel Yakovee (Israeli)
Yuliyan Yordanov (Bulgarian)
Gordon and Ellen Youle (Scottish)
Zoltán and Ildiko Zsuráfszki (Hungarian)
Jessaiah Zure (Turkish)

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z