About Željko Jergan


Zeljko Jergan Since his twelve year career as a leading performer with the Croatian National Folk Ensemble, LADO, Željko Jergan has catapulted through the folklore and dance community as a driving force. He has restored details and authenticity to traditional dances, and developed new choreographies from regions of Croatia that had hardly been touched. There have been over 450 original choreographies to his credit, which have been set for nearly 100 performing ensembles. He has collaborated with some of the foremost composers and musicians in the Croatian folklore world.

His popularity in the recreational folk dance community has extended to several countries, including the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and Taiwan. His attention to style and detail keeps him in high demand. In addition to this, he has single-handedly raised the artistic and presentation level for children's adult amateur, semi-, and professional ensembles throughout these same countries.

Across Canada, he has made a significant contribution to the Croatian folklore community, where he has researched and produced many original choreographies, which are ultimately presented at Croatian Folklore Festivals. In addition, he serves as Artistic Director for several ensembles throughout the country.

LADO In the States, he has worked with numerous collegiate and amateur folk ensembles from coast to coast. He has also developed children's groups, providing these students with the soundest of foundations to move to higher levels; such as the collegiate Tamburitzans of Duquesne University, Kumovi of Pittsburgh and Folklore Ensemble LJELJO, also of Pittsburgh.

Željko has been recognized many times for his on-going work. He has also received fellowship grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. He continually strives to elevate the level of authenticity and presentation for all the ensembles with which he is affiliated, while continually showcasing the Croatian culture at its highest possible level.

Recent and Current Engagements

  • California:
    • St. Anthony’s Folklore Ensemble, Los Angeles, CA
    • Koraci Ensemble, San Jose, CA
    • Veseli Hrvati, Sacramento, CA
  • Pennsylvania:
    • Folklore Ensemble LJELO, Pittsburgh, PA
    • Hrvatski Tanac, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Canada:
    • "Kraljica Jelena" Folklore Ensemble, Kitchener, Ontario
    • "Sljeme" Mississauga, Ontario
    • "Hrvatsko selo", Hamilton, Ontario
    • "Domagoj" Edmonton, Alberta

Past Engagements

  • Les Sortileges, Montreal, Quebec
  • Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
  • Duquesne University Tamburitzans, Pittsburgh, PA



Zeljko and family at midnight mass

Zeljko and daughter

Zeljko and son

Zeljko dancing