For over 31 years, Workshop has been the most popular summer Ukrainian dance program for teens and young adults in the country. The success of this program is a
testament to the incomparable Roma Pryma Bohachevsky, Artistic Director from 1976 to her passing in 2004. Her passion for Ukrainian dance, and her dedication to
preserving and perpetuating the art, are part of her legacy, and the foundation for what Workshop is today. Her daughter, Ania Bohachevksy Lonkevych now serves as
Director of the program.
Ania Bohachevksy Lonkevych began studying dance at an early age with her mother, Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. In 1978, Ms. Lonkevych became one of the original members of Syzokryli, and has performed extensively with the Ensemble, including their tour of Ukraine in 1992.In addition to performing she assisted her mother in various administrative tasks and duties. In 1978, she attended her first Workshop, and in the following years had the opportunity to take Master Classes with Valentina Pereyaslavec and John Taras. She has been involved with Ukrainian Dance Camps since their inception; as an assistant, instructor, choreographer and administrator. She has also taught at the Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Schools of Dance in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York. In 1987 and again in 1989, she traveled to Brazil to teach Ukrainian dance workshops.
Ms. Lonkevych graduated from State University of New York at Stony Brook with a BA in Political Science and English. She earned her Juris Doctor from NY Law School, and has worked as an attorney in New York and Philadelphia, Pa.
Since 2004, Ms. Lonkevych has served as Director of Dance Workshop and the Dance Camps. She co-founded the Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Foundation, and is dedicated to preserving and continuing her mother's vision and legacy.
Workshop 2008 is under the Artistic Direction of Kristine Izak. Influenced by over eighteen years of collaboration with Roma Pryma Bohachevsky, Ms. Izak brings her extensive teaching skills, unique choreographic artistry and creativity to the program. Orlando Pagan will also be returning as an Instructor and Choreographer for 2008. He is known and admired not only for his exceptional dancing, but for his charismatic teaching and energy. Workshop instructors strive to maintain the characteristic style of Roma Pryma Bohachevsky's work both in class and in choreography, while at the same time, bringing to Workshop new concepts and skills to share and inspire.
Additional Guest Instructors to be announced at the outset of Workshop.
At Workshop, students are challenged for two intensive weeks of study. Daily classes in both character and ballet technique are followed by rigorous rehearsals where students learn sophisticated choreography and refine their performing skills. Roma Pryma Bohachevsky was truly a dance pioneer. In that spirit, Workshopchallenges instructor and students
alike, to further not only the development of Ukrainian dance, but dance in all its forms, as a reflection of the rich Ukrainian cultural heritage. Over the years, Workshop has
impressed audiences with unique dances to Ukrainian music, or based on Ukrainian themes, in hip-hop, ballroom, modern, lyrical and jazz dance styles.
Workshop is also "The Summer Home of Syzokryli," the New York based ensemble founded in 1978 by Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. Participants are given the opportunity to learn some of the exciting dances that are unique to the Ensembles repertoire. Workshop concludes this year with performances at the first annual Soyuzivka Ukrainian Film and Cultural Festival! This five day extravaganza will be the perfect showcase for two weeks worth of hard work. Workshop will be a part of history in the making, and it isn't the first time!
Ukrainian Dance Camp welcomes young dance students who have a
sincere love of dance, and a strong desire to work on developing their
technique and performance abilities. It is designed to accommodate
students with beginning or intermediate knowledge of Ukrainian dance,
providing them with an interesting program of intensive training.
Professional instructors guide the students in a creative and supportive
learning environment.
With an emphasis on technique, daily ballet and character classes refine
basic skills for further study in a variety of Ukrainian dance styles. Two
weeks of concentrated study raise the dancers ability levels, and
supplement the training they receive in dance schools and classes at home.
Classes are conducted in the large recreation hall both in the morning and
afternoon, Monday through Saturday.
Kristine Izak returns to Dance Camp as Artistic Director, with
Orlando Pagan as Instructor/Choreographer. Each brings a unique blend of
dance training and experience, with a common goal of nurturing the spirit of
Ukrainian dance. Their successful partnership is influenced by over a
decade of collaboration with Roma Pryma Bohachevsky, as instructors and
choreographers for her schools, camps, workshops and ensemble.
Qualified and experienced Counselors under the guidance of a Camp
Commandantka, offer close personal attention and supervision, both in
class, during recreation time, and throughout the day. In addition to daily
class sessions, campers enjoy a number of supervised activities such as
volleyball, soccer, swimming, a Masquerade, Zabava and Bonfire. At the
conclusion of Camp, students present a full concert of dances they have
learned.
Besides all the fun and friendship this camp has to offer, it inspires and
motivates young dancers to learn and improve, and nourishes their
appreciation of Ukrainian dance and its place in the rich tapestry of
Ukrainian culture.
