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.
Kristine Izak
- Artistic Director
Kristine Izak has been
affiliated with the dance programs of Roma Pryma Bohachevsky for
over seventeen years. At an early age, she began studying ballet
and modern dance under Joeffrey Ballet dancer, Delphine DelBello,
and Ukrainian and character dance at the Voloshky Dance School,
Philadelphia, PA. In 1983, she was accepted into the Voloshky Dance
Ensemble, where she had the opportunity to perform extensively the
works of many well known Ukrainian dance choreographers.
Kristine attended her
first Dance Workshop in 1988, and in the early 90’s was offered
the opportunity to assist, teach and choreograph with Roma Pryma
Bohachevsky. During that time, she also began performing exclusively
with the Syzokryli Ensemble, including their tour of Ukraine in
1992.
Kristine earned her B.A.
Summa cum laude in Dance from DeSales University, majoring in Choreography
and Performance. For over 15 years she has taught at private dance
schools in the Philadelphia area and since 1991, at Jane Lopoten
School of Dance, Lansdale, PA, teaching intermediate through advanced
levels in ballet, modern and jazz.
In 2005, Kristine choreographed
a modern piece to the music of contemporary Ukrainian singer/songwriter
Maria Burmaka. Entitled “Don’t Be Afraid to Live,”
the work commemorated the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. It was premiered
at the Verkhovyna Youth Festival, and subsequently performed by
Syzokryli at the Giant’s Stadium Ukrainian Festival, New Jersey,
and at the Bloor Street West Ukrainian Festival, Toronto, Canada.
For the third consecutive
tear, her modern lyrical choreography, entitled “Reach,”
was invited to be presented at the opening and closing ceremonies
for the national fund raising event, Race for the Cure, at the Philadelphia
Museum of Art.
Orlando Pagan
- Instructor/Choreographer
Orlando V. Pagan's most
recent accomplishment of four years is Dance Theater of Harlem,
NYC under the direction of Arthur Mitchell. Repertoire performed:
"Return";Soloist, "Concierto in F";Demi soloist,
"Medea"; Demi soloist, "South African Suite",
"Dougla", "Firebird"; Corps. He has traveled
all over the U.S. including China and Austria.
Mr. Pagan has also worked
with such luminaries in film and on stage with Mikhail Baryshnikov,
Mark Morris, Desmond Richardson, Alvin Ailey, Michael Smuin and
Arthur Mitchell. Mr. Pagan has also performed with the Syzokryli
Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, NYC for fourteen years as a Principle Dancer
and Choreographer under the direction of Roma Pryma Bohachevsky
which included a tour to Ukraine in 1992.
Other notable accomplishments
are: Shore Ballet: "The Nutcracker Ballet"; corps, Russian;
Soloist. Windmere Ballet: "The Nutcracker Ballet"; "Spanish";
"Arabian"; "Snow King"; "Cavalier".
Alvin Ailey School of Dance, NYC under the direction of Walter Raines.
"Memoria"; corps.& Performing Arts High School, NYC-Royce
Heath, Elissa King, Penny Frank.
Pagan is also the Artistic
Director of Zolotyj Promin School of Ukrainian Dance in Hartford,
CT, Barvinok of Astoria, RPB School of Ukrainian Folk Dance in Manhattan,
and Mriya School of Ukrainian Dance in Hempstead, L.I. He is also
the Ballet Master of Syzokryli and School Director of it's related
schools.
Outside of dance, Mr.
Pagan is also an accomplished songwriter with songs featured in
both film and radio. He is an official member of ASCAP and AGMA.
Larisa Pagan
- Instructor and Assistant to the Directors
Larisa Pagan studied
at Stagedoor Dance Centre in Phoenix, AZ. She has won numerous dance
competitions and performed throughout the U.S. including such places
as Disneyland and Las Vegas. She later became a soloist with Syzokryli
Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in New York City, under the direction of
Roma Pryma Bohevchevsky. She toured the Ukraine in 1992 with Syzokryli.
Currently a soloist of Syzokryli and Obrij Dance Ensemble. She has
been an instructor/choreographer and costume couturier for groups
in Hartford, CT; Syracuse, NY;, Hempstead, L.I.; and Lehighton,
PA.
