Folklife Ambassadors support folklife in North America with an eye on expanding the global folklife movement. With a focus on smaller cultural diasporas and ethnic folk dance ensembles, the Ambassadors are embedded in different communities for short periods of time. After careful study and consideration, HFA found that, in fact, there are disparities in folklife resources and access among cultural communities. This program was designed to address those needs by creating a shared resource model.
2025 – 2026 Folklife Ambassadors | Lajos Hunor Izsó and Hajnalka Guti-Izsó
Recruited in partnership with the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program, the newest Folklife Ambassadors have much to bring to the North American communities.
Hajnalka Guti-Izsó and Lajos Hunor Izsó
Dancing together with the Fitos Dezső Társulat
(Lajos is wearing striped pants and dancing with Hajni in the szapora.)
Hajnalka Guti-Izsó
Born in Gyula, Hajnalka Guti-Izsó, started her dance career early in life. She completed her secondary school studies at Békéscsaba’s Bartók Béla Art High School. She graduated with a Bachelor’s then Master’s degree in folk dance education and rehearsal management from the Hungarian Dance University. Professionally, Hajni has been a member of several ensembles. From 2011, she was a member of Gyula’s Harruckern Folk Dance Ensemble (10 years), followed by the Szentendre Dance Ensemble. For the last three years, she has danced with the Fitos Dezső Társulat. As an educator, Hajni has served as the Artistic Director of the Rege Folk Dance Ensemble. Her ethos is one of professionalism, tradition, and creative expression. Her goal is to pass Hungarian folk dancing on to future generations, both on stage and as an educator.
Lajos Hunor Izsó
Lajos Hunor Izsó was introduced to folk dancing through Békés’ Belenceres Folk Dance Ensemble. Very quickly dancing became his passion and professional pursuit. He graduated from Békéscsaba’s Bartók Béla Art Art High School with honors. Lajos then completed his Bachelor and Master’s degrees as a dance educator at the Hungarian Dance University. In Budapest, he worked as a professional dancer at the Fitos Dezső Társulat and the Duna Ensemble. Besides sharing dance through performance, Lajos is committed to sharing folklife traditions, and has been actively teaching different age groups for more than five years.
Background
The HFA strives to provide opportunities for collaboration, resource-sharing, grant
facilitation, education, professional development, and financial support for folklife activities. Through our annual conference as well as programs in the last couple of years, it has become apparent that Hungarian folklife organizations and regional ethnic dance ensembles face common challenges – recruitment, resources and long-term sustainability.
Much like Hungarian Scouts and Schools, folklife is a pathway that reinforces Hungarian identity worldwide among diasporas – especially among young people. Hungarian folklife is also a doorway into the broader international folklife movement and community. Due to their size or geographical location, there are a number of Hungarian communities where folk programming does not exist – even though it is desired and needed. Through conversations within HFA it was determined that shared “folklife resources” could be a way to fill these gaps and reenergize those communities as well as organizations that keep Hungarian folk dance traditions alive (ie. ethnic dance companies).
Operational Plan
The Folklife Ambassador pairs folk travel throughout the United States to bolster folklife activities in communities that struggle with programming. HFA handles support systems/logistics for the dancers.
Their work is focused on:
- Community building (communication, service, program development and folk education)
- Folk dance education, performance and on occasion, choreography work.
- Supporting the global folklife community and Hungarian Folklife Association through administrative work within the organization.
- Offering professional development online globally to diasporas.
Background
From our survey of activities in North America we know that are communities where:
1. A Hungarian school or scout troop exists but no dance/music programming. Giving these
communities a kick-start to assemble a youth group would be useful.
2. Communities lack the golden trifecta (school, scouts, folklife) but need folklife
representation at a festival or camp to teach, perform or advise.
3. There is a need to establish or maintain a folk dance ensemble but more direction is desired from experts on how to go about that process.
4. There is an ensemble but without the resources obtain a new choreography. Bringing
someone from Hungary or Transylvania is very expensive.
5. There is an ensemble but for financial reasons they cannot afford to apply for/sustain someone from overseas for an extended period of time, as visiting teachers.
6. There is a regional ethnic folk dance organization (which has a Hungarian/Carpathian folk dance repertoire) that wishes to gain access to a new authentic choreography but lacks the resources to bring someone from overseas.
To ensure that this resource/opportunity is distributed equitably among the communities, HFA has an online application process for the Folklife Ambassadors Program.
Our Commitment to the Ambassadors | Professional Development and Logistical Support
The Folklife Ambassadors will not only impact the communities they serve, but they will also grow as individuals and professionals. During the program’s tenure fellows will develop their leadership and professional skills – which will help in their career journeys. As Ambassadors will receive extensive support in topics ranging from program management software, conflict resolution, networking, event management, program development, and more. They will also have the opportunity to gain professional coaching from their mentors.
Furthermore, HFA provides logistical support, and affordable housing. We want to make the experience as positive for our Ambassadors as possible.
History
The program operated for the first time in 2023 – 2024, thanks to the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program. There was a male folk dancer who traveled to various locations to support activities. In 2024 – 2025 a folk dance pair traveled 21 times throughout the United States to offer performances, teaching and choreography work. Through 360 degree post-program evaluation, the feedback was overwhelmingly in favor of this shared resource model. Smaller diasporas did, in fact, report that access to folklife resources and expertise was essential to keeping Hungarian culture/identity alive in their respective regions.
Contact: panni[at]hungarianfolklife.org to learn more.