Kristina Frykas (Washchyshyn) is a graduate of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Teacher Training Program and holds her Licentiate teaching designation with the Cecchetti Society of Canada and Cecchetti International Classical Ballet. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and Pilates. She has been artistic staff at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in the Recreational School and Professional School’s Teacher Training Program for twenty years. Kristina is a former board member of Dance Manitoba and was Manitoba Representative to the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
Within the Ukrainian community, Kristina is the School Director of Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School. Under her direction the school has been recognized by the Manitoba Ukrainian Dance Festival as the top school in the province for three consecutive years. She has received multiple awards for her choreography and was the recipient of the 2019-2020 Instructor of the Year Award presented by Ukrainian Dance World.
Kristina was Artistic Director of Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble over a period of seven years. Troyanda is a group of passionate, charismatic and talented young adults. Under her direction, the ensemble acquired many new pieces of choreography, created the Manitoba Ukrainian Dance Festival, embarked on a multi-country European tour, appeared in the International Ukrainian Dance and Culture Festival in Ukraine and performed “Trepak” in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
Kristina's past experiences include instruction at the UNF School of Dance, Rossdale School of Dance, and Ukrainian Academy of Dance in Toronto, plus she was the Ballet Mistress and Technical Director for Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. She is an alumna of Verba Ukrainian Dance Company and Arkan Dance Company of Toronto.
To further her studies as a director, choreographer, dancer and dance educator, Kristina has travelled to Ukraine several times. She has also attended Ukrainian dance workshops in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Kristina has had the pleasure of adjudicating several festivals across Canada.
Megan Hnatiuk began Ukrainian dancing at the UNF School of Dance at the age of 5 before moving over to Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School where she has been for the last 14 years. During the past five years Megan has had the opportunity to share her love of dance with others through teaching at Sopilka and she is excited to continue to be part of such a wonderful team. Along with teaching Ukrainian dance she teaches Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, and Hip Hop at Kazka Dance Collective. Megan trained at the Shelly Shearer School of Dance for 10 years as a competitive dancer in the Invitational and Pre-Pro programs in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, and Pointe. She has received many dance awards including highest solo mark for her age category four years in a row at the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Competition, as well as other dance awards and scholarships from attending conventions. Also, she has had the opportunity to perform, compete, and train in different places in Canada, the United States, Ukraine, and Brazil. Megan’s love of dance has made her appreciate the physical and metal benefits of training in multiple disciplines and that every person has a unique role in group dances. She enjoys participating in performances and making new friendships along the way. Currently, Megan is in her fourth year at the University of Winnipeg in the Faculty of Education with a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.
Jillian Teterenko is a Winnipeg based architect, dancer and choreographer. She trained at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in the Ballet Intensive Training Program and has completed her ballet examinations Grades 1-6, Intermediate and Advanced 1 with The Cecchetti Society of Canada. Her Ukrainian dance education was based out of Rozmai Ukrainian Dance School where she grew through the school eventually becoming an active senior member and Principal dancer of The Rozmai Ukrainian Dance Company. Jillian has performed across Canada, The United States and Europe, participating in numerous festivals, workshops and choreography intensive programs. She has taught at all levels within Rozmai Ukrainian Dance School and has acted on behalf of the artistic director in company rehearsals, workshops, performances and on tour.
Jillian holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture from The University of Manitoba. She is a licensed architect in the province of Manitoba.
Jillian believes her passion for Ukrainian dancing and architecture are linked as both art forms are expressed through movement in space. It is of importance to Jillian that Ukrainian arts, dance and culture are preserved, and she is excited to encourage students in their technique and love of Ukrainian dance at Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School.
Outside of Ukrainian dancing she is a diligent youth leader for a local youth group and a loyal volunteer within the arts and church community. She is a lover of knitting, the outdoors, spending time with family, making perogies, cats and tea.
Ben Chapman will be returning to Sopilka for another year to instruct the Koneky, Kalyna, Druzi and Dusha Ensemble classes. Ben has been doing Ukrainian dance for 13 years at Sopilka and also spent 7 training ballet and other disciplines at the RWB. On top of teaching at Sopilka he is a member of Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble where he continues to work on improving his abilities as a dancer. Outside of dance Ben is in his second year in the faculty of agriculture at the University of Manitoba, he also enjoys volunteering at the Manitoba museum (1-4 pm on Saturdays if you want to visit) as well as watching motorsport and drawing or painting.
Rhea has been Ukrainian Dancing at Sopilka for 15 years and currently dances with the Spadok Ensemble. This past summer she had the opportunity to travel to Brazil with the Performing Ensemble. It was a rewarding and unique trip where she learned so much about Brazilian and Ukrainian culture. She is excited to be on the Sopilka teaching team for a third year. Rhea is looking forwards to developing her artistic skills and helping to foster a safe and inclusive dance space. In the Ukrainian community Rhea worked at Camp Veselka, a Ukrainian summer camp in Gimli from 2018-2022. There she shared her love of Ukrainian Culture through dance, song, and art with children of all ages. Outside of dance Rhea is the General Manager of local Manitoba owned restaurant. When she isn’t working or dancing she is usually reading, cooking, spending time outside, or playing board games with friends and family!
Shanaya has been dancing since 2006, starting initially with classes in tap, jazz and hip-hop and graduating to Ukrainian dancing was she was old enough. After deciding that Ukrainian dance with a passion of hers, she joined Sopilka in 2012. Outside of dance, Shanaya has been involved in various and has instructed swimming classes since 2015. She has also been a Camp Counsellor at Diabetes Canada's D-Camps several times over the years and has been an advocate for Type 1 Diabetes for much longer.
Morgan is exciting to be teaching at Sopilka again this year! Morgan has absolutely loved dancing at Sopilka for the past 13 years and views this wonderful community as one of the dearest and more formative aspect of her life. For the past 5 years, she has been a member of the artistic team as an assistant teacher and is existed to be teaching the Level 2 and Junior Ensemble dancers this year. In addition to dance, Morgan is an experienced musician, having played, performed , and competed on the flute independently and as a member of many bands, ensembles, and orchestras since she was six. The arts have always played a central and meaningful role in her life, and she aspires to share their power in fostering deep connection and communication with others with and the students in her class. Morgan's favourite thing about Ukrainian dance is its diversity in the styles of each region, contrasted with its ability to unite everyone who loves and values the vibrancy of Ukrainian culture. Morgan is currently in her fourth year studying Nursing at the University of Manitoba. In her free time, Morgan loves to get outside, hike, canoe, travel, and cook. You might see her biking to dance every week!
Eric is currently instructing our Kozak Training Workshops and will lead the Kozak Training Class beginning in January 2024.
Eric has been Ukrianian dancing for many years and has been to International Ukrainian Dance Tours with Sopilka, including summer of 2023 to Brazil. He loves Ukrainian dance and really is loving working with the boys (ages 10 to adult) honing their Kozak skills to awe their audience!
MacKenzie has been part of the Sopilka artistic team as an Assistant Instructor for three years. This year she is assisting with the Soloveyky and Sokoly classes. MacKenzie loves to dance and is passionate about her Ukrainian culture. She enjoys working with the dancers, helping them express their love for Ukrainian culture though dance.
MacKenzie has been dancing with Sopilka for the past 12 years and currently she dances with the Krasa Ensemble. Outside of dance, MacKenzie is graduating this year and plans to attend University of Manitoba to study Nursing.
Shayanna is new to the artistic team, this is her first year as an Assistant Instructor and is assisting the Sonechky class.
Shayanna has been dancing with Sopilka for the past 11 years and is currently dancing with the Krasa Ensemble. Shayanna is graduating this year and plans to attend University of Manitoba to study Nursing.
This year our class assistants are:
Lealya Kurkura Oksana Gerelus
Bella Lavergne Natalia Volkmar
Julianna Austman Ksenya Kukura
Various times during the year, Sopilka will invite guest instructors into a class or hold workshops to help the student hone their skills and love for Ukrainian dance.
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