Lyrids 2024 Dance Instructors
Cristian Florescu was born in Bucharest, Romania. He started dancing in 1982 with different Romanian folk ensembles, and studied with various specialists including the renowned Theodor Vasilescu. Cristian was principal dancer with the National Ensemble Cununa Carpatilor with whom he toured extensively in Europe, Asia and North America. In 1990-91, the romanian Ministry of Culture and the ACAFR conferred him a certificate as recognized solo dancer and choreographer in the field of folklore. He also was chief répétiteur for the Folk Ensemble Balada in Romania and worked as choreographer for the Academic Ensemble Joc in Moldova. In 1993, he joined Les Sortilèges, a professional folk dance company based in Montreal with whom he was actively involved as a dancer, teacher, répétiteur and choreographer until 2003. Since coming to Canada, Cristian has acquired multiple skills in various dance forms including modern dance, ballroom, jazz, tap as well as French-Canadian clogging and Irish step dancing.
Sonia Dion was born in Québec and has been a professional dancer for over 20 years. She was lead dancer and choreographer for Les Sortilèges dance company, Canada’s oldest professional folk dance ensemble, with whom she developed several new productions including Une page d’histoire, un pas de danse, Montréal en danse, and Pour se faire plaisir. Sonia has toured worldwide and has been exposed to a wide range of dance techniques including Romanian folk dance, Scottish highland dancing, French-Canadian clogging and ballroom.
Cristian and Sonia have been guest performers with the Collage International Dance Ensemble of Boston, have been regular teachers at l’ École supérieure de danse du Québec and have been selected to be part of the Artists in the Schools program sponsored by the Québec Ministry of Education. In recent years, they have developed a specific interest in working with recreational folk dance groups in Canada and the United States. They have been teaching in Austria, England, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and the Netherlands to share their love of Romanian folk traditions.
Cristian and Sonia were the featured teachers at Salt Spring Island Folk Dance Festivals 2009 and 2011 and at Lyrids Folk Dance Festival 2018.
Tom Bozigian, a California native of Armenian descent, immersed himself in Armenian language, music, and dance from a young age within the Armenian community in Fresno, California. His extensive knowledge spans Armenian dances from the pre-1915 era. Many Armenian survivors who arrived in the United States after the Armenian population’s massacres in eastern Anatolia contributed to the preservation of their cultural heritage, which Tom passionately embraced.
With a Master’s degree in education and a Bachelor’s degree in Russian language, Tom is fluent in English, Armenian, and Russian. In 1968, he had the privilege of training under renowned dancer and choreographer Jora Makarian in Los Angeles, which prepared him for subsequent studies in Armenia. He completed a seven-month dance program in Armenia and furthered his studies at the Yerevan Sayat Nova Choreographic School’s four-year folk dance program.
Tom represents Armenia through his music, language, and dance, traveling worldwide for teaching tours and workshops. His exceptional choreography has been featured in various international performances. His repertoire encompasses a wide range of Armenian dances suited for solo, couple, line, group, male-only, and female-only performances. Tom’s expertise extends to Russian character, Lebanese (dabke), and Greek folk dances.
As a skilled percussionist, Tom specializes in music from the Caucasus, Near East, and the Balkans. He leads a folklore orchestra, known for producing numerous recordings. In addition to his dance and music endeavors, Tom also directs a disk-jockey service called “Hye Bar Entertainment.”
Tom Bozigian and his wife, Sheree King, who is a dancer and choreographer herself, reside in the Los Angeles area, which is now home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside Armenia. Sheree is the director of the Dance Department at Long Beach City College and has been a certified Pilates instructor since 1993. Tom’s passion for dance and cultural heritage stems from his family’s history, where his grandfather’s father was known to dance traditional Armenian dances in their natural Armenian environment, including Agar Magar, Kochari, Pompouri, and Tamzara.
Tom and Sheree were featured teachers at the Salt Spring Island Folk Dance Festival 2008.