Tavria Folk Dance Ensemble: a celebration of Ukrainian heritage
With its long history in the province and its commitment to multiculturalism, the Tavria Folk Dance Ensemble is more than just an ethnic dance troupe. And, like Saskatchewan itself, everyone is welcome.
“We take anyone of any age,” said Oksanna Zwarych, the school administrator, adding that having a Ukrainian heritage is not required. “We just want you to come.”
Increasing numbers of people are, indeed, coming to the dance. With more than 150 dancers in 12 different levels, the 42-year-old organization is one of the largest in the province.
The Ensemble was founded by 1975 by Ukrainian and ballet dancer and choreographer Marie Nychka. Now living in Alberta, she recently received the Nation Builders Award from The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatchewan Provincial Council, Inc. (UCC Saskatchewan) in recognition of her service to the Ukrainian community. “She saw a need for a Ukrainian dance group [in Regina],” Zwarych said.
From that beginning, the Ensemble has grown to be much more than a dance group, building relationships as well as dance routines. “We think we’re a remarkable family-oriented organization,” she said, pointing out that classes are offered for all ages, from three-years old to adult. “What we do that’s a little bit different from other dance groups is that our dancers are often fortunate enough to stay with the same group of dancers for their whole dance career.”
That goes well beyond the ordinary esprit de corps. “It provides a life-long tie; a strong family bond. They socialize outside of the dance school for birthday parties and other events,” Zwarych said.
In addition to the new ties that are built among the dancers, there are also numerous family ties, with generations of families participating. Zwarych is herself an example; a former dancer married to a dancer, their children and now a grandchild dance. “One of the most rewarding and exciting things is that I was able to watch my child perform in Ukraine. As a former dancer, that was the best thing ever; to see how honoured the people of Ukraine were and thrilled to
see their culture represented in Canada. It was just awesome,” she said.
While everyone is welcome, the troupe retains strong ties to the motherland. It has toured all over the world, including Brazil in 2015, but continues to return to Ukraine. Plans are underway for its fifth tour of the country in August of 2018. Saskatchewan residents will be able to enjoy the Tavria Folk Dance Ensemble when it tours the province, including Regina, early next year.
Zwarych says dancers learn more than dance steps. “We promote the art of Ukrainian dance. This encompasses the strength, the flexibility and the musicality,” she said. The school offers 12 groups for different age levels, starting with pre-beginner (age 3), to beginners, juniors, and intermediate, all the way up to adults. While she says they like to have children start at an early age, “We take anyone, at any age.”
She points out that another difference from other dance studios is the fact that the instructors come up from within the organization. “So these teachers carry on the tradition. We are very fortunate to have Oksana and Yuriy Sholdra who are from Ukraine and have degrees in instructional methodology from the Ukraine National Institute of Choreographic Art,” said Zwarych. Their efforts are bolstered by guest choreographers that are brought in from other provinces. New in the coming year will be classes specifically geared for boys. “We’re looking at partnering with a gymnastics group to help us strengthen and inspire our dancers,” she said, adding that Ukrainian dance in general is very physical and can help develop the strength and stamina that can be the basis for, not only dance, but sports, too.
Dancers of every age and gender can also enjoy Atria’s new studio at 105 Hodsman Road. What Zwarych calls the “Taj Mahal of dance studios” features two studios with floors specifically designed for dance, mirrors and a space for costumes. Early registration for fall will be held at the studio on August 29 and 31.
While continuing to stress that everyone is welcome, Zwarych and the Ensemble are proud of their Ukrainian culture. “It’s not so much that we’re preserving our culture, as it is carrying it on. The world is getting smaller and smaller and we have more connections to Ukraine than ever before. We want to show our children our pride in our heritage,” she said.
That heritage is an integral part of Saskatchewan – more than 15 per cent of the province’s population can trace part or all of their ancestry to Ukraine. With a history in the province dating back 125 years, the Ukrainian involvement is such that 2016 was declared the Year of Saskatchewan Ukrainians. “It’s an awesome history that we have,” Zwarych said.
As it builds relationships and physical strength, Tavria also builds on its ties to its heritage and its part of the Saskatchewan and Regina cultural mosaic. “We want to be an integral part and keep multiculturalism strong and vibrant,” Zwarych said. “With the new Canadians coming to Regina, especially from Ukraine, we want them to be welcomed and invite them into our community so they feel at home,” she said. And, that’s the Saskatchewan spirit, where many peoples build strength.