HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:

The foundation for the Ukrainian School of Arts (Toronto, Ontario Canada) was established during the summer months of 1998. Since then, the school has grown to become one of the finest and largest of its kind within the greater Toronto area. Today, the school offers a complete and challenging dance program to over 300 students of all ages and skill levels and serves as the base for the "Ukraina" Dance Ensemble. The school boasts a unique repertoire, utilizes a variety of regional styles and costumes, incorporating components of character and classical technique and vocal interludes.

The school's founders and Artistic Directors, Alexandra and Valeri Movchan, are qualified instructors with extensive experience in dance and choreography. Having received instruction and professional accreditation in Ukraine, they maintain a unique and authentic personality within their roles accentuated by vitality and character. They promote a superior level of traditional Ukrainian dance by devoting attention to the development of both the artistic and technical abilities of dancers. The Movchans are dedicated to improving the quality, choreography and production of their dance performances resulting in memorable experiences for audiences everywhere. They hae, upon special invitation, utilized guest instructors with specific unique talents and perspectives to further enrich the dance experience for students. Guest instructors include: Vyacheslav Lopanov and Anatoliy Krykonchuk, a special seminar was hosted by Myroslav Vantukh, the Artistic Director of "Virsky", during the group's visit to Ukraine in 2001.

Debut performances, often resulting in repeat appearances, included various festivals and annual tributes. The School's performance array is extensive and includes such memorable venues as: Toronto's Springfest, Windsor's Carrousel of Nations Festival, uniquely themed Rotary events, the school's annual Showcase Concert, OPSAIL 2000 in Connecticut, the 25th Annual Verkhovyna Ukrainian Festival in Glen Spey, N.Y., Toronto's annual Bloor Street Ukrainian Festival, the annual Youth Festival of Ukrainian Dance at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, Toronto's Caravan Multicultural Festival, annual celebrations of Ukraine's Independence, UPA commemorations, Annual Praznyk Events at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Church and UNF's Camp Sokil in Hawkstone, Ontario.

Of special note are two extensive concert tour excursions to Poland and Ukraine. During the summer of 2000, the "Lemkovyna" and "Zoretsvit" Ensembles travelled to Poland to perform at the 5th Annual Festival of Multicultural Folkloric Ensembles in Wegorzewo and the 25th Annual Ukrainian Festival in Sopot. Similarly, the "Ukraina" Ensemble travelled to Poland and Ukraine during the summer of 2001. As ambassadors of Ukrainian culture from Canada, the ensemble participated in celebrations commemorating Ukraine's 10th Anniversary of Independence. Our dancers performed on some of the most prestigious stages in Ukraine --- Lviv, Kyiv, Rivne, Lutsk, Yaremche and in Poland --- Peremyshl and Mokre.

The school continues to capture performance invitations and has been graciously invited to several special events throughout the United States and Canada. A repeat invitation to Ukraine remains outstanding and plans will need to be developed in the near future.

The school, an abundant "dzerelo" or "fountain", provides the opportunity for young dancers to learn and develop towards achieving their dream of dancing within the senior ranks of its exemplar --- the "Ukraina" Dance Ensemble.

Passion makes this dance troupe unique --- a passion for Ukrainian culture, a passion for dance and, above all, a passion for the human spirit. A true balance between technical excellence and free-spirited performance can be accomplished through practice, exercise, repetition, devotion, camaraderie and a love of one's heritage.

The school is extremely fortunate to have enthusiastic and helpful dancers and parents to assist in various aspects of school administration, performance coordination and planning. The school's future rests in the richness of Ukrainian dance!

The Ukrainian School of Arts is proud to be a part of the Greater Toronto Ukrainian Cultural Community. In appreciation and recognition of the distinguished cultural legacy and heritage of the Ukrainian people, the school provides youth with instructional sessions in traditional and contemporary dance to share with audiences the integrity and honour of a great nation while contributing to the multicultural diversity of the Canada mosaic!

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