Meet us on the dance floor: Getting to know John Peppes

John Peppes was born in Athens, Greece, and came to America at a young age. He was raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida – a community populated largely by individuals of Greek descent, allowing him to be exposed to the Greek culture all throughout his youth. At the age of six, John started dancing with the St. Nicholas church dance group. Years later, this group would eventually become the Levendia Dance Troupe in Tarpon Springs, Florida under the direction of John Lulias.

In the summer of 1983, something clicked and Greek dance quickly became a passion for him. Throughout the 1980s, John was fortunate to participate in workshops taught by instructors with similar passion as his. He credits much of his influence to such people as, Dr. Mary Coros, Paul Ginis, John Lulias, Joe Graziosi, George Mavropoulos and the entire Dora Stratou program as well as Ted Petrides.

John is currently a Board Member and Director of KYKLOS Hellenic Society, a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Michigan. The group includes participants from twelve Greek communities in the Detroit Metropolitan area. He recently took over the youth dance program at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor and also hosts a monthly Hellenic Cultural Night for adults to be exposed to the traditions of dance.

His hobbies also include history, traveling and golf. John can be contacted via email a jpeppes214@gmail.com