DANCE FACULTY Message from the Dance Faculty Welcome to the Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance! Join us for our 2011/2012 dance season - our 50th! It promises to be an exciting season with a Gala Concert at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on May 26, 2012 and a celebration of 50 years of Ukrainian Dance at Yavir on October 12th. Throughout the season we are inviting alumni back to join us in adult classes and other activities. Please join us in the celebration of your contribution to dance over the last 50 years. I am delighted to be a part of the Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance at this exciting time. I have already seen how the dedication and pride in the school shines through in each dancer, instructor and volunteer. I look forward to working with the spirited dancers, talented instructors, hard-working Executive Committee, and dedicated parents in continuing the long Yavir heritage of excellence in Ukrainian dance. This year will be an exciting one, full of challenges and celebration, as we are on the eve of the school's 50th Anniversary. Together I know we will make it a wonderful success. I am eager to roll up my sleeves and enthusiastically teach and share my passion for the beautiful art form of Ukrainian dance with the dancers. I am certain the future will unveil new choreographic compositions, thrilling performances and continued successes. Together we'll usher in Yavir's next 50 years of Ukrainian dance! Tamara Tatuch, Artistic Director 2011/12 Dance Season Tamara Tatuch Experienced, expressive and enthusiastic Tamara’s love and passion for Ukrainian dance and its preservation and promotion in Canada has had her work tirelessly for the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association for many years where she has organized countless workshops (dance, instructor, costuming) festivals and conferences and has been integral in the development of invaluable resource material for the Canadian Ukrainian Dance Community. Tamara is a passionate and enthusiastic instructor whose imaginative choreography successfully reflects Ukrainian culture and tradition in the beauty of the performing art of Ukrainian dance. Larissa Samborsky Enthusiastic, warm and cheerful Since the age of four Larissa has been a devoted dancer at the Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance. Larissa is entering her 20th year of dancing at Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance. Over those years Larissa’s passion and love for Ukrainian dance has flourished. As a member of the Dnipro Dance Ensemble, Larissa traveled to Ukraine for their 1999 dance tour. She took part in the International Festival of Folklore in Lachine, Quebec in the summer of 2000. In 2001 Larissa traveled with Dnipro to Zacatecas, Mexico to take part in the Sixth International Festival of Folklore. Throughout Larissa’s dance career she has performed at every Youth Festival of Ukrainian Dance. Larissa has performed for countless audiences, local and international. She performed for the International Olympic Committee, when Toronto was bidding for the 2008 Summer Games. Larissa’s enthusiasm is seen at every performance. Larissa continues to be a responsible, capable and enthusiastic member of Yavir Dance Ensemble. She has graduated for the University of Guelph Humber, with a Degree in Applied Health Sciences and a Diploma in Early Childhood. Her knowledge of child development enables her to engage the children in the physical activities of Ukrainian dance at the appropriate skill level. Larissa is a warm, genuine, friendly person which has made her an ideal instructor for our beginners and young dancers. Her kind and friendly manner towards the youngest dancers has made them feel comfortable in the school environment and enjoy dancing. At the same time, her strong technical skills and energy have allowed her to teach girls at the senior level. Her passion for dance is reflected in her teaching and is an inspiration for her students. Larissa is a dedicated, responsible and reliable instructor. These qualities have made Larissa one of the School’s most valuable senior instructors. And you can always count on Larissa for a smile. br> Mykola Khryapin Experienced, passionate and proud Senior Male Instructor Mykola Khryapin is a former Virsky dancer from Kyiv, and dance producer of the Children’s Academy of Arts, Kyiv, as well as the art production director for the Ukrainian Dance and Song Theater, Kyiv, Ukraine; and the dance group manager for the Ukrainian Dance and Song Theatre, Berlin, Germany. He is passionate about Ukrainian dance and works with our dancers to instill his deep love of Ukrainian culture. A highly energized and creative professional, Mykola is detail-oriented and seeks a high level of quality in all of his students. With years of experience in art direction and production in the fields of dance, music, theatre, he demands a highly polished performance. Mykola has co-ordinated worldwide tours in countries such as Germany, France, Czech Republic, Romania, Somali, and the USA. He has a Bachelor of Special Events Production from the Arts School, University of Kyiv, and a Diploma in Dance Art, Virsky Dance School. Michael Rodo Motivating professional energy Senior Male Instructor Michael Rodo has over twenty years of Ukrainian dancing experience and also continues to dance in the Yavir Ensemble. He is trained and follows the Shumka Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance (SSUD), and has attended various dance workshops throughout North America. Michael is also a male lead dancer for The Kozaks, a Yavir alumni men's group. Yavir Instructors The Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance is made up of twelve instructors, assistant instructors and apprentices, with deep knowledge and experience in both Ukrainian dance as well as other dance forms. The strong instructor to student ratio allows the instructors to individually motivate and challenge their students to achieve a high standard of technical skills and develop long-lasting relationships based on the mutual love of dance. If you are interested in joining The Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance team, please forward your resume and contact information to info@yavir.ca or call us at 416-243-3072. Privacy Policy l About the School l Contact Us © Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance 2004