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Cover Spirit if the Dance_edited_edited.

Дух Танцю – Spirit of the Dance is a Washington, DC–area collective of freelance ballet artists and Ukrainian dance practitioners who come together under the artistic direction of Roman Mykyta to create and present Ukrainian choreographic art.

Through original works, the ensemble offers a holistic view of Ukrainian history, identity, and culture. Drawing from traditional dances of Ukraine’s distinct regions, alongside narrative works and choreographic miniatures shaped by Ukrainian literary, cultural, and spiritual traditions, each piece gives form to moments, memories, and inner landscapes that reflect the spirit of Ukraine.

Rooted in tradition while engaging contemporary expression, Spirit of the Dance invites audiences to experience Ukrainian culture as a living, evolving art form.

Video Samples

Spirit of the Dance Video Samples
A Storm is Rising Video Sample

A Storm is Rising Video Sample

01:34
Dance of the Roma Girl Video Sample

Dance of the Roma Girl Video Sample

01:39
Forest Song Video Sample

Forest Song Video Sample

02:56
Kozachok Video Sample

Kozachok Video Sample

01:24
Spring of Fate Video Sample

Spring of Fate Video Sample

01:28
Tales from Dykanka Video Sample

Tales from Dykanka Video Sample

01:54
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2026 Special Guest Artist – Iryna Tkachenko

Iryna Tkachenko is a ballet artist with the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

 

She will be in the United States during 2026, accompanying her husband, Dr. Mykyta Tkachenko, who is participating in a year-long fellowship focused on limb transplantation.  In light of the ongoing war and the large number of wounded soldiers and amputees, his work is especially meaningful.

 

Ms. Tkachenko will perform occasionally with Spirit of the Dance throughout the year and has contributed two choreographic works to the ensemble that will premiere in 2026.

2026 Season - Continuum: Ukrainian Dance in Motion

The 2026 season of Spirit of the Dance unfolds as a continuum—where literature, folklore, history, and contemporary artistic voice meet in motion. Drawing inspiration from the poetic imagination of Lesia Ukrainka, Taras Shevchenko, and Mykola Hohol (Nikolai Gogol), from the lineage of Ukrainian classical folk tradition, and from new collaborative works shaped in dialogue with artists from Ukraine, this season reflects both memory and emergence.

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Through a curated repertory of premieres and established works, Spirit of the Dance explores the mythic, lyrical, and human dimensions of Ukrainian culture. Each work is carefully researched and artistically shaped, honoring regional traditions while engaging the expressive possibilities of the stage.

Rooted in deep respect for Ukrainian artistic heritage—yet alive to the present moment—the 2026 season affirms Ukrainian dance as a living art form: resilient, poetic, and continually renewed.

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 Performances

 

  • Lehighton Ukrainian Festival Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA Aug 15-16    

 

  • 2026 Ukrainian Independence Day Festival Tryzub Ukrainian American Sports Center, Horsham, PA | Aug 23

  • Baltimore Ukrainian Festival | St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Baltimore, MD | Sep 26-27
       

Additional engagements to be announced.

Repertoire

The ensemble's repertoire spans choreographic miniatures, folk dances, and staged works that together express the richness of Ukraine’s cultural and theatrical tradition. Concise miniatures distill emotion, narrative, and character into focused, expressive movement, while folk dances draw on regional styles, seasonal rituals, and spirited courtship from across Ukraine.

 

Complementing these are thoughtfully adapted stagings of iconic works by master choreographers, honoring original structure and style while emphasizing musical clarity, regional character, and performance integrity—allowing tradition to live vividly on stage.

HOVER for summary, CLICK image for full details and gallery

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Lifting the Spirit

Spirit of the Dance is sustained not only by its dancers and collaborators, but by individuals who choose to stand behind the work and ensure its continued vitality.​​​

Join the
Друзі Танцю (Druzi Tantsyu)Friends of the Dance

The dancers carry the work forward.
The Друзі Танцю make that work possible.

Through their annual commitment, the Друзі Танцю make rehearsal, costume care, travel, and new choreographic work possible.

 

​*** Membership reflects active annual support within a 12-month period and is stewarded exclusively for ensemble operations. ***

Supporting Circle

$600 annually
($50/month)

Members of the Supporting Circle provide sustaining annual commitment to the continued growth and presentation of Spirit of the Dance.

 

Each year, members receive:

• A personal handwritten note from the Artistic Director
• A seasonal 5x7 photographic print from the ensemble
• Public acknowledgment as a member of the Друзі Танцю (with permission)

Upon first joining at this level, members are also recognized with a commemorative enamel insignia bearing the mark of the Друзі Танцю.

Circle of Friends

$300 annually
($25/month)

Members of the Circle of Friends provide foundational annual support for rehearsal, costume care, and artistic preparation of the ensemble.

 

Each year, members receive:

 

• A personal handwritten note
• A seasonal 5x7 photographic print
• Public acknowledgment as a member of the Друзі Танцю (with permission)

Past Performances

2025

  • Oct 18: Ukrainian Film Screening Event
    Flagship Cinema, Baltimore, MD

  • Sep 27-28: Baltimore Ukrainian Festival
    St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Baltimore, MD

 

  • Aug 24: 2025 Ukrainian Independence Day Festival
    Tryzub Ukrainian American Sports Center, Horsham, PA

  • Aug 16-17: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival with
    Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble

    Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA

​​

  • Jun 14: Patchtown Days with Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
    Eckley Miner's Village Museum, Weatherly, PA

2024

  • Sep 15: Washington Ukrainian Festival
    St Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Silver Spring, MD

​​​

2023

  • Aug 19: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival
    Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA

​​

  • Jun 24: One Journey Festival with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC

​​

2022

  • Dec 21: Christmas in Ukraine with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, Washington DC

​​

  • Oct 6-27: World Arts Festival Residency with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Montgomery College, Rockville, MD

  • Aug 29: 81st National Folk Festival with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Salisbury, MD

     

  • Jun 25: One Journey Festival with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC

  • Mar 25: Benefit for United Help Ukraine with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    sponsored by Carpe Diem Arts
    Sandy Spring Museum, Onley, MD

​​

  • Mar 18: Benefit for United Help Ukraine​ with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    sponsored by Carpe Diem Arts
    Historic Avalon Theater, Easton, MD

​​

2021

  • Aug 21-22: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival
    Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA​​​​

2018

  • May 9: World Artists Experiences with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Maryland State House, Annapolis, MD

 

2017

  • Dec 20-21: 'A Carpathian Christmas' with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Bryn Mawr Church of Christ, White Oak, PA

​​​​​​

  • Dec 17: 'A Winter's Eve of Revelry' with Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music, sponsored by Carpe Diem Arts and
    St Michaels Community Center 
    St Michaels Auditorium, St Michaels, MD

 

  • Aug 19-20: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival
    Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA​​​​​

  • Jul 22: Benefit Concert with Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
    Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA​​​​​
     

  • Feb16: Sarah Barham Senior Piano Recital
    Gildenhorn Recital Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

​​​​

2015

  • Jan 8: 'Soul Ukraine' sponsored by World Artists Experiences
    with Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD

2014

  • Nov 7: Patronal Feast of Holy Archangels Orthodox Church
    Annapolis, MD

​​

  • Aug 24: Ukrainian Independence Day Celebration with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Silver Spring, MD​​

  • May 4: 'Slavic Soul' with Sarah and Sam Barham
    Friendship Hall, Ginger Cove, Annapolis, MD

​​

2013

  • Sep 26: World Artists Experiences Ukraine with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Ukrainian Embassy, Washington DC

  • Aug 26: Ukrainian Independence Day Observance  
    with Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Metropolia Center of the UOC of the USA, Somerset, NJ

  • Aug 10: Community Celebration
    Ginger Cove, Annapolis, MD

  • May 25: 'Springtime in Ukraine'
    Friendship Hall, Ginger Cove, Annapolis, MD

  • Apr 14: Worldplay Traditional Music of the World with
    Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
    Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, Washington DC

 

2012

  • Nov 11:  Concert with Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music sponsored by the  The Washington Group Cultural Fund
    The Lyceum, Alexandria VA

2008

  • Sep 13-14: Washington Ukrainian Festival
    St Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Silver Spring, MD

​​

  • Sep 6-7: Baltimore Ukrainian Festival
    Patterson Park, Baltimore, MD

Past Contributing Artists

Caroline Anderson

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Julie Ascik

 

Destiny Billot

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Anne Gutcher

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Mimi Hardin

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Sarah Hoffman

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Kaitlin Kimm (Alter)
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Mia Koshansky
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Isaac Martinez

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Lauren Martinez
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Ryan Massey

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Alena Miller (Muller)

Marjorie O'Hearne​​
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

 

Laura Pimpo

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

​Colleen Prince

 

Rachel Spicer

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Madison Sweeney

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Ashley Taylor
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Veronika Tishaev

​​

Loren Williams
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Julia Zukofski

© 2025 by Roman Mykyta

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