ABOUT
ROMAN MYKYTA
CHOREOGRAPHER | PERFORMER | EDUCATOR
Roman Mykyta is a choreographer, performer, and educator whose work bridges ballet, Ukrainian folk-stage dance, theatrical storytelling, and cultural memory.
Drawing upon professional experience in both the United States and Ukraine, he creates original dance works, teaches dancers and artists, and develops projects that celebrate the power of movement, culture, and human connection.
WHY I CREATE
I believe dance has the power to illuminate the human experience and inspire hope. My choreography is rooted in literature, folklore, history, spirituality, and music—stories that speak to who we are and what we are called to become.
Whether creating a narrative ballet, a theatrical miniature, or a folk-stage work, I am drawn to how movement can communicate character, emotion, and meaning. Through choreography, I seek to create performances that honor tradition while speaking meaningfully to contemporary audiences.
A JOURNEY THROUGH DANCE
MARYLAND
My artistic journey began in Maryland, where I developed a passion for Ukrainian dance while simultaneously pursuing formal ballet training in both the Cecchetti Method and Vaganova Ballet Technique.
This dual foundation fostered a lasting interest in theatrical storytelling, character development, and the relationship between ballet and folk-stage dance.
KYIV, UKRAINE
In 2017, a professional development trip to Ukraine transformed that interest into a deeper calling. What began as a period of study evolved into several years of immersion in Ukrainian language, culture, choreography, and dance pedagogy.
While living in Kyiv, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Choreography and Dance Pedagogy from the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University, pursued guest studies at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, participated in professional development with the Studio Company of the Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble, and performed with leading ensembles in Kyiv and Lviv.
RETURN TO MARYLAND
Returning to Maryland, I brought those experiences into my choreographic, performance, and educational work, creating new opportunities to share both ballet and Ukrainian dance traditions with contemporary audiences.
Today, that work continues through choreography, teaching, curriculum development, and the founding of Spirit of the Dance Ukrainian Folk Ballet.
CHOREOGRAPHER
As a choreographer, I create original dance works inspired by literature, folklore, history, spirituality, and music.
My choreography ranges from narrative one-act ballets and theatrical miniatures to folk-stage works that explore culture, character, and human experience.
Since returning from Ukraine, I have created more than thirty original choreographic works for professional companies, cultural organizations, and educational programs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and other cultural communities.
Whether creating a ballet, miniature, or folk-stage work, I seek to combine theatrical storytelling, characterization, and expressive movement in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.
PERFORMER
As a performer, I have appeared in classical ballet, contemporary works, theatrical productions, and Ukrainian dance performances in both the United States and Ukraine.
My professional career began with Ballet Theatre of Maryland, where I performed a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire.
Additional performance experiences include Misako Ballet Company, the Horlytsya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Kyiv, the Yunist Honored Ukrainian Folk Ensemble in Lviv, and numerous cultural collaborations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
These experiences continue to inform my work as a choreographer, providing a practical understanding of artistry, stagecraft, and the collaborative nature of performance.
EDUCATOR
Teaching has been a central part of my artistic life. I enjoy helping dancers develop strong technical foundations while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and a deeper understanding of movement.
My teaching experience includes ballet, character dance, Ukrainian folk-stage dance, choreography, dance pedagogy, teacher training, master classes, Pilates and curriculum development. Drawing upon experience with Cecchetti, Vaganova, RAD, ABT-informed methodologies, and Pilates instruction, I strive to create learning environments that challenge, inspire, and support dancers at every stage of their development.
In recent years, my educational work has increasingly focused on curriculum development and the documentation of Ukrainian dance traditions for future generations.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
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National Pedagogical Dragomanov University — Kyiv, Ukraine, Bachelor of Arts, Choreography and Dance Pedagogy
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Kyiv National Institute of Technology and Design
— Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian Language Immersion / Certification for Undergraduate Study
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Guest Studies: Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts — Kyiv, Ukraine
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Professional Development: Studio Company of the Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble — Kyiv, Ukraine
HONORS & LEADERSHIP
Maryland State Arts Council Folklife Apprenticeship Master Artist (Traditional Arts Program)
Mark Ryder Original Choreography Grant Recipient
BroadwayWorld Baltimore Award Nominee
Founder & Artistic Director, Spirit of the Dance Ukrainian Folk Ballet
Principal Choreographer & Instructor, Ukrainian American Heritage Foundation Dance Camp (supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts)
LOOKING FORWARD
Today, I continue to choreograph, teach, perform, and collaborate on projects that explore the relationship between tradition and innovation. Through new artistic works, educational initiatives, and cultural partnerships, I remain committed to creating meaningful experiences that connect people through story, movement, and shared heritage.
As the journey continues, I look forward to new collaborations, new audiences, and new opportunities to celebrate the transformative power of dance.