The DSUD runs a single weekly class, occurring on Saturday mornings. Dancers are trained with classical ballet technique and fortified with traditional Ukrainian folk dance technique. Students of the School can expect to perform at various events ranging from bi-annual recitals to competitions such as the BC Ukrainian Cultural Festival. Alongside their dance training, members of the School of Dance get to experience various cultural activities such as Pysanky or Kolach bread making. The Dovbush School of Ukrainian Dance aims to give children a deeper connection to their Ukrainian heritage through various means and builds a strong community through their members.

 

Our Dance Programs

Zaychyky 'Bunnies'

ages 3-5 ~ 45 minute class (9:45 -10:30am)

Beginner level

Zaychyky dancers engage in a beginner-dance environment focused on bodily movement and rhythm-based learning. These dancers learn through song and games, and experience very beginner-level ballet training. These dancers are introduced to very basic Ukrainian dance steps and techniques featuring well-known Poltava region based steps

 

Bilka 'Squirrels'

Ages 6-8 ~ 1.0 hour class (9:45 - 10:45am)

Junior level

Bilka dancers are challenged with furthering their ballet technique with beginner level exercises at the barre and in the centre. Movement games are still played to further enhance the bodily awareness of the dancer and promote a fun class environment. These dancers start to learn more complex Ukrainian dancing steps and choreography from various different Ukrainian regions such as Hutsul or Bukovynia. Dancers can expect to start learning more tricks, spins, and jumps. Dancers at this age start attending competitions.

 

Zirka 'Stars'

Ages 8-12 ~ 1.5 hour class (1:00 - 2:00pm)

Intermediate 1 level

Zirka dancers continue to build on both their ballet and Ukrainian folk techniques at this level. More complex barre and centre works are given as well as increased technical difficulty in Ukrainian technique and choreography. Dancers focus on building strength in given tricks and turns in order to establish foundational techniques.

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Veselka 'Rainbow'

Ages 12-14 ~ 2 hour class (10:45am - 12:45pm)

Intermediate 2 level

As the Intermediate 2 class, Veselka dancers train more intensely in both ballet and folk dance. Dancers within Veselka are challenged with learning multiple dances a year and may perform at outside events and opportunities. Veselka dancers are prepared for the senior group by honing their individual skills, with the goal of building confidence of the dancer with their steps. Dancers can expect to learn folk steps with increasing difficulty, branching into more complex dance regions and variations.

 

Druzhba 'Friendship'

ages 14-18 ~ 2 hour class (10:45am - 12:45pm)

Advanced level

In this advanced level class, dancers are now well versed in both ballet and Ukrainian dance knowledge and are pushed to develop well rounded performance techniques. Druzhba dancers are developed with an extensive ballet barre and center work and enhanced Ukrainian technique.  Dancers often perform at various events that take place outside of regular recitals and are starting to transition into the senior Ukrainian dance group, the Dovbush Dancers.​​​