Dance Flame reception lounge with the studio sign

Our story

A studio built around one idea:

“The body needs both fire and stillness.”

Dance Flame has been teaching in Kalamata since 2007 — starting as a small tango practice and growing into a full-time studio for dance and yoga.

We keep classes small. We teach beginners with the same care we bring to advanced dancers. We host milongas, seasonal open days and workshops with visiting teachers. Everyone is welcome — first-timers most of all.

Our Team

Thomas Palantzas & Chrissa Anagnostopoulos

Thomas Palantzas & Chrissa Anagnostopoulos

Tango

The collaboration of Thomas and Chrissa is founded on the meeting of two different fields of knowledge: the technical and kinesiological analysis of Tango with the body awareness and inner observation of Yoga. At the center is the couple and the communication between them. The embrace is not just a body position; it is the space in which one listens, perceives and responds to the other. Technique, balance, intention, breath and energy management function as tools for a clearer and more essential connection. Because in Tango it is not enough to know how to move. You must be able to communicate.

Chrissa Anagnostopoulou

Chrissa Anagnostopoulou

Yoga

Chrissa discovered yoga in Canada in 2009 after a serious accident. Trained at Semperviva and certified E-RYT 200, YASEP, she teaches Hatha, Yin and Kundalini in Kalamata.

Maria Tsingistra

Maria Tsingistra

Latin

Professional dance teacher, graduate of the Professional Dance School of the National Opera. A background in contemporary, ballet and choreography, with a passion for Latin — Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive and Paso Doble. Has performed at the Athens Salsa Spring Festival, Cannes Salsa Festival and Berlin Salsa Congress.

Nikoleta Kirou

Nikoleta Kirou

Oriental / Belly Dance

Nikoleta has practiced Oriental dance since childhood, building a deep connection with movement and self-expression. She has competed in dance competitions and international conferences, and trained in Silk Fans, Dance Therapy, and Feminine & Nervous System Healing through movement — blending technique with embodiment, femininity and personal expression.

Marisia Mitsea

Marisia Mitsea

Hip Hop / K-Pop

She began her dance journey with Hip-Hop, later expanding her training to Latin, Dancehall, and other urban dance styles. At the age of 13, she discovered K-pop and has been developing her style and skills within the K-pop dance scene ever since. She taught for a year at Just Dance and participated as an Artist at their K-pop Camp. She has also attended K-pop camps such as Level 10, where she had the opportunity to train with renowned K-pop choreographers and dancers, including Bada Lee.

Hara Zacharopoulou

Hara Zacharopoulou

Contemporary / Modern

Hara began dancing at age 4 and has been teaching professionally since 18. Certified in Zumba and Balletoning and holding a Latin American Style diploma, she continues to develop through Modern Jazz Theatre, dance therapy and Contact Improvisation. She has won distinctions in national dance competitions. Her goal is for every student to feel safe expressing themselves, gain confidence, and discover the power of movement.

Panagiotis Antonopoulos

Panagiotis Antonopoulos

Traditional Dances

With 15 years of experience in traditional dance, he has performed in countless shows and festivals across Greece and abroad, gaining rich stage experience and actively contributing to the preservation and promotion of Greek dance heritage.

Thomas Palantzas

Thomas Palantzas

Zeibekiko / Laika

Dance teacher, dancer and choreographer — founder and artistic director of Dance Flame. With over 30 years of teaching Greek traditional and folk dances, Tango Argentino, Latin and improvisational movement, he has guided thousands of students of all ages toward discovering their own personal style. A physical education teacher specialized in dance-movement education and kinesiology, he created ZeIM – The Zeibekiko Improvisation Method: an original, human-centered approach that brings out authenticity, freedom and genuine bodily expression. A living, ever-evolving method, ZeIM helps every student find their own unique path within the dance.

Svetlana Trofim

Svetlana Trofim

Kizomba

Svetlana has been dancing for over 10 years — Salsa, Bachata and Tango — and for the last 5 years Kizomba has been central to her journey, where she discovered the power of connection, musicality and communication. She completed the Kizomba Teacher Training – Level 1 with Victoria KizzArte and Jeydikson Lima, and is now proudly starting her next step as a Kizomba instructor, sharing her love for this beautiful dance.

Olga Alexandropoulou

Olga Alexandropoulou

Theatre

Actor and director born in Messini. Studied at Panteion and the Athens Drama School, performed at the National Theatre and the State Theatre of Northern Greece, and specializes in teen theatre.