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Dancer on way to becoming a doctor

parkland estates Greek culture and helping others are vital parts of life for a 19-year-old college grad taking part in an annual festival.

By Amy Scherzer Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2007

The daughter of Greek immigrants, Coutras participated in an early college admission program and graduated from Sickles High three years ago, the month she turned 16.

She hadn't even gotten a driver's license when she convinced family and counselors that she was more than ready for college.

In July, Coutras, 19, graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in biomedical sciences. Medical school applications are in the mail, to Duke, Boston University and USF, among others.

"I always knew what I wanted to do with my life, be a physician," she said.

Her second love, Greek folk dancing, followed years of ballet classes and competitive figure skating. Through workshops and instructional videos she taught herself the timeless steps.

At 13, she began teaching the dances at her church, St. John Greek Orthodox.

Her efforts will be showcased this weekend at Tampa's annual Greek Festival hosted by members of the church at 2418 W Swann Ave. Between 8,000 and 10,000 people are expected to buy moussaka, dolmades, spanakopita, salad, bread, baklava and other homemade ethnic foods and specialty gifts while they enjoy Greek entertainment in the church gymnasium. The church will donate about 10 percent of its proceeds to LifePath Hospice.

"Diana and the kids are the embodiment of what's beautiful and good about the Hellenic culture," said Kally Mingledorff, who is serving her ninth year as festival chairwoman.

Coutras volunteers hundreds of hours working with dancers of varying abilities and ages throughout the year.

"I try to make everyone feel comfortable without holding the group back," she said.

One of her students, Vasilios Nenos, a 15-year-old freshman at Gaither High School, says Coutras grows less patient as the festival gets closer.

"Then her nickname is the 'Dance Nazi,"' Nenos said, affectionately.

Coutras was born in South Tampa but lived in Athens as a toddler. Her parents, Constantine and Maria, and older siblings Gina and Luke, moved to Odessa when she was 4. Coutras didn't speak English until kindergarten.

She caught up fast and never slowed down, excelling at physics and chemistry. She says she gets her drive and determination from her father, a mechanical engineer.

As a college freshman Coutras was asked to teach Greek dancing to USF's Hellenic Society. Again her pupils were older than her. Sharing the stories behind the dances helped earn their respect.

"Greek folk dance is our most original form of art," she said, "and very central to our faith. For instance, the Circle Dance began with people dancing around a church courtyard."

College partying and sororities didn't interest Coutras. Her priority was writing her honors thesis, analyzing the role of traditional Greek folk dance and costume from past to present.

For now, Coutras provides child care and manages a program to introduce health careers to at-risk children while waiting to receive an embryology research grant at Tampa General Hospital.

"Diana provides insight and inspiration and never looks for accolades," Mingledorff said.

"People love the dancing and ethnic costumes," she said. "It creates the atmosphere of the festival."

Amy Scherzer can be reached at scherzer@sptimes.com or 226-3332.

If you go:

Tampa's Greek Festival

Today and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. John Greek Orthodox Church, 2418 Swann Ave. Admission is $2 for adults; free for children under 12. Greek food, pastries, gifts, music and dancing. For more information, call 813 876-8830.

[Last modified November 1, 2007, 07:11:30]