Spirit of the Dance

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.

Photo: Jan Exler

Photo: Stephen Fartuszok


Photo: Jan Exler
Video Samples


A Storm is Rising Video Sample

Dance of the Roma Girl Video Sample

Forest Song Video Sample

Kozachok Video Sample

Spring of Fate Video Sample

Tales from Dykanka Video Sample
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.
Current Contributing Artists
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.

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.

Performances
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Lehighton Ukrainian Festival | Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA | Aug 15-16
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2026 Ukrainian Independence Day Festival | Tryzub Ukrainian American Sports Center, Horsham, PA | Aug 23
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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

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
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Oct 18: Ukrainian Film Screening Event
Flagship Cinema, Baltimore, MD
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Sep 27-28: Baltimore Ukrainian Festival
St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Baltimore, MD
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Aug 24: 2025 Ukrainian Independence Day Festival
Tryzub Ukrainian American Sports Center, Horsham, PA
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Aug 16-17: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival with
Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA
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Jun 14: Patchtown Days with Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
Eckley Miner's Village Museum, Weatherly, PA
2024
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Sep 15: Washington Ukrainian Festival
St Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Silver Spring, MD
2023
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Aug 19: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival
Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA
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Jun 24: One Journey Festival with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC
2022
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Dec 21: Christmas in Ukraine with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, Washington DC
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Oct 6-27: World Arts Festival Residency with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Montgomery College, Rockville, MD
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Aug 29: 81st National Folk Festival with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Salisbury, MD
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Jun 25: One Journey Festival with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Washington National Cathedral, Washington DC
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Mar 25: Benefit for United Help Ukraine with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
sponsored by Carpe Diem Arts
Sandy Spring Museum, Onley, MD
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Mar 18: Benefit for United Help Ukraine with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
sponsored by Carpe Diem Arts
Historic Avalon Theater, Easton, MD
2021
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Aug 21-22: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival
Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA
2018
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May 9: World Artists Experiences with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Maryland State House, Annapolis, MD
2017
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Dec 20-21: 'A Carpathian Christmas' with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Bryn Mawr Church of Christ, White Oak, PA
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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
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Aug 19-20: Lehighton Ukrainian Festival
Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA
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Jul 22: Benefit Concert with Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc, Lehighton, PA
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Feb16: Sarah Barham Senior Piano Recital
Gildenhorn Recital Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2015
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Jan 8: 'Soul Ukraine' sponsored by World Artists Experiences
with Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD
2014
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Nov 7: Patronal Feast of Holy Archangels Orthodox Church
Annapolis, MD
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Aug 24: Ukrainian Independence Day Celebration with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Silver Spring, MD
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May 4: 'Slavic Soul' with Sarah and Sam Barham
Friendship Hall, Ginger Cove, Annapolis, MD
2013
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Sep 26: World Artists Experiences Ukraine with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Ukrainian Embassy, Washington DC
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Aug 26: Ukrainian Independence Day Observance
with Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Metropolia Center of the UOC of the USA, Somerset, NJ
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Aug 10: Community Celebration
Ginger Cove, Annapolis, MD
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May 25: 'Springtime in Ukraine'
Friendship Hall, Ginger Cove, Annapolis, MD
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Apr 14: Worldplay Traditional Music of the World with
Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, Washington DC
2012
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Nov 11: Concert with Gerdan-Kaliedoscope of World Music sponsored by the The Washington Group Cultural Fund
The Lyceum, Alexandria VA
2008
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Sep 13-14: Washington Ukrainian Festival
St Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Silver Spring, MD
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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

































