PROJECT DETAILS
CHOREOGRAPHER: Roman Mykyta
COMPOSER: Traditional, arranged by Ron Cahute
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: 23 minutes
SYNOPSIS:
Vasyl Avramenko is a one-act ballet honoring the life and legacy of the Ukrainian dance pioneer often called the father of Ukrainian dance in North America. Created for the 130th anniversary of his birth, the ballet follows Avramenko’s journey from his early artistic awakening through his travels across Canada and the United States, where he brought Ukrainian dance to stages, schools, and communities.
Presented with warmth, humor, and theatrical energy, the work celebrates Avramenko’s tireless belief that dance could preserve culture, inspire identity, and unite generations. Blending original choreography with selected historical references, the ballet pays tribute to a visionary whose influence continues to shape Ukrainian dance in the diaspora.
VASYL AVRAMENKO
Vasyl Avramenko was a pioneering Ukrainian dancer, choreographer, teacher, and cultural organizer whose work helped establish Ukrainian dance throughout North America.
BACKGROUND & INSPIRATION
A THEATRICAL JOURNEY
Rather than presenting a formal biography, the ballet offers a lively stage portrait of Avramenko’s artistic journey, from Natalka Poltavka to his travels and later ventures into Ukrainian film.
HONORING A LEGACY
While the choreography is original, selected historical choreographic references are included as an homage to Avramenko’s work and the enduring importance of cultural transmission.