Ensemble Kutaisi

The State Song and Dance Ensemble of Kutaisi was founded in around 1979-1980. It was first led by Jemal Chkuaseli (Джемал Чкаусели) until 1986. From 1988 until at least 1993 the leaders were Samson Dogonadze (artistic director), Zurab Sikharulidze (Зураб Сихарулидзе) (director) and E. Gujabidze (choreographer). The ensemble was reorganised in 2010, with leaders Ketevan Bantsadze (ქეთევან ბანცაძე) (director), Rusudan Milorava (artistic director), Shota Jishkariani (chief choreographer), Ia Esvanjia (choreographer) and Zeinab Burjanadze (director of the Kutaisi Folklore Centre).