by Ben Arthur |
It’s a Sunday afternoon in the gymnasium at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Northeast Portland and a group of 20 middle schoolers are linked together in a circle learning Syrtos Xaniotikos, a traditional Cretan dance. University of Portland tennis player Michail Pervolarakis and the other dance instructors are guiding the kids through the basics.
The small details are key to success in the dance. One boy takes the lead position and his confidence vanishes. He forgot the movements he rehearsed. Pervolarakis takes him to the side and the two work in private.