PROJECT DETAILS
CHOREOGRAPHER: Roman Mykyta
COMPOSER: Aaron Copeland
PREMIERE: July 5, 2025 | Ukrainian American Heritage Foundation Dance Camp, Ukrainian Homestead of CEC ODWU Inc,, Lehighton, PA | Performed by Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
RUN TIME: 7 minutes
SYNOPSIS:
Created for the 37th UAHF Ukrainian Dance Camp in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Spirit of '76 – America the Beautiful is an original folk dance suite that explores the ideals of freedom, cultural diversity, and hospitality through the universal language of folk dance.
Set to a musical journey featuring the works of Aaron Copland and culminating in America the Beautiful performed by the U.S. Navy Band, the choreography draws upon the folk traditions of Shaker communities, the American frontier, Irish, Mexican, German, and Ukrainian cultures. United through the Ukrainian ceremonial tradition of Pryvit, the work concludes with the presentation of bread and salt beneath the American flag, celebrating the shared values of welcome, gratitude, and unity that continue to shape the American experience.
AMERICA 250
Created for the 37th UAHF Ukrainian Dance Camp, the work premiered on July 4, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Rather than presenting a historical pageant, the choreography reflects upon the enduring ideals of freedom, opportunity, and cultural diversity that have shaped the nation.
BACKGROUND & INSPIRATION
A TAPESTRY OF FOLK TRADITIONS
Each section draws inspiration from a different folk tradition, reflecting the many cultural threads woven into the American story. A Shaker-inspired opening honors religious freedom, the American cowboy serves as a frontier counterpart to the Ukrainian Kozak, and Irish, Mexican, German, and Ukrainian dance traditions celebrate the generations of immigrants whose cultures continue to enrich the United States.
PRYVIT: A UKRAINIAN WELCOME
At the heart of the work is the Ukrainian tradition of Pryvit. The ceremonial presentation of bread and salt transforms the finale into an expression of friendship, gratitude, and hospitality. Set beneath the American flag and accompanied by America the Beautiful, this timeless Ukrainian custom becomes a uniquely American gesture of welcome, affirming that diverse cultural traditions can remain distinct while coming together in celebration of shared ideals.