Creative Director

Stelios Monachas

Creative Director

Professional Background and Education

With over twenty years of experience in dance education, Stelios Monachas’s journey began as a world champion in rowing and continued with studies in Physical Education & Sport Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Business Administration at the University of Macedonia. However, it was in dance where he found true passion and fulfillment. He holds recognized studies from CID-UNESCO (International Dance Council-UNESCO) in Latin, Ballroom, and Modern Dances, and he specialized in Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires.

Career and Contributions to Dance

Throughout his career, Stelios has dedicated himself to nurturing talent and building communities through dance. He has taught at numerous dance schools in Greece, led innovative dance and art programs at Aristotle University, municipalities, cultural centers, schools, theater schools, workshops, and International Dance Festivals, and presented his research at International Dance Research Congresses. His extensive teaching and mentoring experience have honed his skills and deepened his commitment to dance education.

Teaching and Mentoring

Stelios has performed and taught people from various cultures and is proud of his students who have become dance teachers themselves. However, he is even more proud of the common people who, regardless of their age, trusted him to teach them social dances. He has shared with them his passion for Argentine Tango and his love for Zeibekiko Dance (Free Style Syrtaki).

Theatrical and Dance Performances

In his career, Stelios has gained extensive experience in dance and theater performance and choreography. He has participated in numerous theater and music-dance performances in Greece and abroad. One of his most notable experiences was portraying Mantis Tiresias in Euripides’ Bacchae, a unique production accompanied by ancient Greek instruments that toured ancient theaters in Greece.

Stelios has also created original productions such as “KLIMAX,” which combined live Byzantine choirs with physical theater and elements of opera, and “The Shadow of Love,” which incorporated excerpts from the “Song of Songs” of the Old Testament, dance, poetry, and shadow theater. These productions were part of a trilogy themed “EROS,” allowing him to explore his creativity and push boundaries in the performing arts.

Leadership and Research

For many years, Stelios served as vice-president of the Ioannina branch of CID-UNESCO. Combining his extensive experience with his interest in Pilates, Yoga, Contact Improvisation, Wellness, Wellbeing, Theater, Physical Theater, Holistic Trainings, Eastern Techniques, and Greek Philosophy, he has published and presented his research on the Learning Process at World Dance Research Conferences under the umbrella of CID-UNESCO:

“Barefoot Tango” (2012)
“Harmony in Motion” (2013)
“The Art of Harmony in the Process of Learning” (2014)
“Zeus-Bekikos Dance – An Approach of the Contemporary Zeybekiko and its Transcultural Character” (2015)

Philosophy and Approach to Dance

Stelios’s approach to dance extends beyond technique; it emphasizes holistic development, creativity, and cultural appreciation while also focusing on unity and effective communication. His goal is to inspire others to discover the transformative power of dance, connecting body, mind, and spirit through movement and expression.

Recent Ventures and Future Vision

Stelios worked as a manager at “Yava,” the largest gym chain in Greece with over 50 branches, until the strict lockdown period. During that time, he and his future wife Nana Goni decided to move permanently to Zurich. There, the vision of creating an entertainment, education, and art brand was born. This brand, named Kakadu, aims to operate like a large family under its wings.

The Journey Continues

The journey continues with you…