Spirit of the Dance

Ukrainian Folk Ballet
Дух Tанцю – Spirit of the Dance is a collective of Washington DC metro area freelance Ballet Artists and Ukrainian Dance enthusiasts who gather periodically, under the artistic direction of Roman Mykyta, to create and present Ukrainian choreographic art.
Дух Tанцю – Spirit of the Dance seeks to provide a holistic view of Ukrainian history and culture through original choreographic works that include a mix of dance styles, from traditional dances representing the unique regions of Ukraine, to short narrative pieces and choreographic miniatures that each emphasize a distinctive element of Ukrainian Culture, exploring significant moments and figures in the nation’s history, to entertain and educate audiences.
Repertoire
A STORM IS RISING (Зірвалася Хуртовина)
BUKOVYNIAN SPRING DUET (Дует Буковинська Весна)
DANCE OF THE ROMA GIRL (Танець Циганки)
CARMEN PARAPHRASE
CINDERELLA ABSTRACTION
FOREST SONG (Лісова Пісня)
FRIENDS (Подруги)
HUTSUL SUITE (Сюїта Гуцульська)
HUTSULKA KSENIA (Гуцулка Ксеня)
KOZACHOK (Козачок)
LARK (Ciocârlia)
ON ST. JOHN’S EVE (Купала на Івана)
PIDKIVOCHKY (Підківочки)
PLESKACH (Плескач)
PODOLYANYCHKA (Подоляночка)
ROKSOLANA (Роксолана)
SHCHEDRYK (Щедрик)
SPRING OF FATE (У Долі Своя Весна)
TALES FROM DYKANKA (Казки з Диканьки)
TARAS BULBA (Тарас Бульба)
TRANSCARPATHIAN DUET (Дует Закарпат)
WE ARE FROM UKRAINE (Ми з України)
WHEN MY DRAFT CARD ARRIVED / CZARDAS
(Кед Мій Пришла Карта / Чардаш)
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
-
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
-
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
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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
Current Contributing Artists

Renee Jaranson

Oxana Jourkiv

Julie Ascik

Jessica McElvaney
Misako Ballet

Anya Thacker

Colleen Prince

Sara Bradna

Jon Thacker
Past Contributing Artists
Caroline Anderson
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland
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
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



