Our Groups

The Croatian Heritage Society

(CHS) offers Croatian folk dance and instrumental performance opportunities for all age groups. Our feature performing  group, Vila Velebita, brings Croatian culture alive through song and dance. Hrvatske Zlatne Žice (Croatian Golden Strings) is our traditional Croatian string orchestra. We also offer three children’s groups, with dance and musical programming for children as young as five years of age. Kardinal Stepinac dance group offers programming for more mature individuals who wish to carry our Croatian folk  traditions on through life.

Vila Velebita, Feature Performing Ensemble

Requirements: 

  • If you have no previous folk dance experience, you must turn 16 years old by the end of the folklore season
  • If you have at least two years of experience, you must turn 15 years old by the end of the folklore season


Practice times
Sundays, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Instructor: Maria Barković

Vila Velebita Intermediate

Requirements: 

  • You must turn 11 years old by the end of the folklore season


Practice times
Sundays, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Instructor: Kristina Cigić

Vila Velebita Junior

Requirements: 

  • You must be between the ages of 5 and 10 years old


Practice times
Sundays, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Instructor: Irena Šušnjar

Hrvatske Zlatne Žice (HZŽ), Feature Tambura Musicians

Requirements: 

  • HZŽ is a pratnja (accompaniment) style tambura group, for those who have past musical experience. 
  • Membership is by invitation only and is based on current skill level and ability to match the musical capabilities of the group

Practice times: by arrangement
Instructor: Tony Hlede

Hrvatske Zlatne Žice, Mentorship program

Requirements: 

  • If you are at least 8 years old, you’ll be matched with an instructor or mentor who will help to develop your musical capability by designing a training program that is based on your age and ability.


Practice times
:
Personalized programs developed for each instrumentalist-in-training
Instructor: Nikola Filipović & Hrvoje Kegalj

Kardinal Stepinac, Mature folk dance group

Requirements: 

  • This group is for more mature individuals who continue to celebrate Croatian culture through song and dance.


Practice times
:
Sundays, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Instructor:Denis Panić