UKRAINIAN DANCE WORKSHOP TOUR

 

   Get up-close and personal with the dances, music and costumes of Ukraine! Whether you’re a dancer, choreographer or just someone who is passionate about Ukrainian dance, this tour is a perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge and repertoire.

   

   The Ukrainian Dance Workshop Tour was created in 2011 as an excellent opportunity for dancers and instructors alike to further their knowledge of Ukrainian culture and fuel their passion for Ukrainian dance. Since then, Cobblestone Freeway has been taking dancers, instructors, choreographers and dance enthusiast on cultural expeditions to Ukraine to take master classes with famous dance legends in the regions where Ukrainian dance originated!

   

    2011 – Our first dance workshop tour! We visited Hutsulshchyna, Bukovyna and Pokuttia for 2 weeks of intensive cultural immersion. Not only did we jump at the opportunity to refine our skills with the local masters of folk dance, but we also immersed ourselves in the distinctive mountain culture of these regions.

   

    2012 - Our second Workshop Tour began at the Virsky studio in Kyiv. We then travelled to Zhytomyr to work with Rafael Malinowsky, the king of Polissian dance. Next we visited Lutsk and were blown away by our experience with the Volyn Ensemble, and finally we travelled to Transcarpathia and worked with the legendary Klara Balog of the Transcarpathian Ensemble.

 

   2013 - Ukrainians around the world do dances from Poltava or Central Ukraine but actually know very little about this diverse and fascinating region. In 2013, we visited Kyiv, Poltava, Zaporizhia, Kirovohrad and Odesa to learn more about the Kozak homeland and birthplace of the Hopak!

 

    2015 - was our 4-th dance tour of Ukraine. Starting off in Kyiv with Virsky Ensemble workshop, this time we also had the pleasure of seeing an interesting and original local ensemble - Kalyna. After Kyiv we set out on a long journey that took us to fairy-tale city of Kamyanets-Podilsky! The charming town with the nicest people left nothing but great impressions. We started with workshops with the Kamyanchanka, mastering Podillia dances and we even came together for a local festival! And in the evening we did Kolomyika in a castle! That’s right! Next up was Ivano-Frankivsk where the dancers met with our good friend Ivan Kuryliuk of the Hutsuliya Ensemble. Ivan took us through the intricacies of Hutsul dances.

   Next was, by far, the most interesting part of our tour – our trip to the Carpathian Mountains. There all participants were in for a surprise – two of our good friends and loyal UDWT participants Taras and Larissa got married in an old Hutsul church! We also met with a unique local family – the Ilyuks, who carry on the traditions of authentic folk Hutsul dances.

    After our fascinating time in the mountains we moved on to Dolyna to master Boyko dances with the local ensemble Boykivchanka. Last but not least we arrived in the beautiful city of Lviv, where our participants learned lots about working with the youngest dancers, during our visit to the Veselki Cherevychky studio.

    That was a truly fascinating tour we had in 2015!

 

    2016 -  for the first time we discovered the dances of two countries - Poland and Ukraine. After all, Poland is home to many ethnic Ukrainians. Here we mastered the specifics of Lemko dances.

    Then we moved on to everyone's favourite - Lviv, where we worked with the Yunist Ensemble. Next - Lutsk, where we had the utmost pleasure of working with the incredible Volyn Choir; followed by Zhytomyr, where we were taught by Raphail Malinowski – the master of Polissian dances; and finally, we ended the trip on a high note in Kyiv, collaborating with the Virsky & Kalyna Ensembles.

​

    2017 - We always strive to expand new horizons! Therefore, our journey began with an impressive city - Budapest. Afterwards  we went to the heart of Gypsy culture - Glodeni village. Where we had a unique opportunity to work with the maestro of gypsy dances - Attila Szanto. We also visited several Roman villages in order to get to know the measured rhythm of life of these unusual people.

    Subsequently we traveled to Chernivtsi in order to learn Bukovynian dances  with the incredibly talented Bukovyna Dance Ensemble. Head of the ensemble -  Leonid Sidorchuk impressed participants with his broad knowledge and professionalism. And the final note of our stay in this region became Gardan theatre performance! Their impressive voice did not leave anyone indifferent .. memories for a lifetime.

    Going further we made a trip to Carpathian mountains,  stopped at the scenic Bukovel for a little rest before further travel. Then we went to Transcarpathia to study with the famous Zakarpatskiy National Ensemble & Choir that expanded our knowledge in the sphere of choreography and singing. The head of ensemble Klara Balog devoted her life to this ensemble and her deep dancing knowledge amazed everyone. That was an impressive experience for all participants!

    In the end of our trip, we arrived in the charming city of Lviv, also known as the little Paris of Ukraine! To sum up this journey and share impressions.  We look forward to new exciting adventures next year

 

    2018 - True Poltava dances are waiting for us. Use the chance to study Kozak dance from its source in Zaporizhzhia. Be a guest on the rehearsal of well known ensemble Prolisok in Kropyvnytskyi. Become a participant in workshops and learn more about famous Kuban dance in Odesa!

    Take the tour that will bring you to the land where Ukrainian dance started! Work with choreographers that have a deep and personal knowledge of the culture behind the dances you have performed since you were a child. Explore where these dances came from so you can understand where they are going! Visit ethnographic museums, and learn about the costumes, music and culture that inspire these dances.

 

    It’s going to be our best tour yet. Join us, while there are still spots available!!!

   

    Take the tour that will bring you to the land where Ukrainian dance started! Work with choreographers that have a deep and personal knowledge of the culture behind the dances you have performed since you were a child. Learn where these dances came from so you can understand where they are going! Visit ethnographic museums, and learn about the costumes, music and culture that inspire these dances.

   

     At the end of your tour, receive a DVD full of workshop footage, photos and

tour memories.

 

    This tour is for dancers, choreographers and enthusiasts alike!

 

Find out more or register here!