Voloshky schedule fifth annual Performing Dance Academy (05/25/03)

Voloshky schedule fifth annual Performing Dance Academy

by Ret Turner

PHILADELPHIA - Now in its fifth year, the Voloshky Performing Dance Academy will bring top-notch performers and instructors from Ukraine to give aspiring dancers an authentic Ukrainian cultural experience providing Ukrainian character dance training in the Pocono Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania.

The two-week camp, running August 3-16, is sponsored by the Voloshky Ukrai-nian Dance Ensemble of Jenkin-town, Pa., and will be an intensive, full-time program of classes in character, ballet, choreography and performance technique. This program is designed for dancers of ability who are ready to excel. The course will culminate with a performance by the academy participants at the Lehighton Ukrainian Festival on August 16.

The academy goes to great lengths in obtaining the highest caliber instructors from Ukraine. Stepan Zabredowsky is the dean of faculty and professor at the National Cultural University in Kyiv, and specializes in the methodology of teaching techniques for Ukrainian dance at the professional level. At the camp he will teach classes in character and choreography.

Victor Guzeyev is a concertmaster with the Virsky Symphony Orchestra. With a specialty in Ukrainian music for character classes, he will provide musical accompaniment for all classes and performances.

Academy students come from all over North America; most have substantial previous training and are prepared to work hard for two weeks.

The choreographies taught at past camps have covered most of the regions of Ukraine and were technically difficult and artistically challenging.

Even though classes are typically conducted in Ukrainian, those not fluent in the language have no trouble following, proving the adage that dance is a universal language. The students thrive on the rigorous schedule of eight hours of classes daily, plus time for relaxation and recreation.

The academy will be held at the Ukrainian Homestead, located in the Pocono Mountains, a two-hour drive from Philadelphia and New York City.

The classes will be small, and enrollment limited, in order to allow for maximum individual attention. Therefore, the academy directors recommend early registration to ensure a spot. Applicants must be at least 8 years old, and have a minimum of two year's dance experience. Classes will be arranged according to age and ability level.

Students can choose to attend either as overnight campers or day campers. The cost of the two-week Academy for overnight campers is $640, which includes room and board. For day campers, the fee is $430. Deadline for registration is June 1, and a $75 deposit is required to secure a spot.

For more information, phone Luba Kalyta, (215) 969-1392, or e-mail [email protected]. Photographs from past years can be seen on the website www.voloshky.com.

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