Natasha Olshevska – Artistic Director / Instructor

Natasha moved to Canada following an illustrious career where she studied dance in Ukraine for 16 years performing in numerous countries around the world.  Natasha also danced with Theatre Ballet in Ukraine for three years where she was awarded a “first category ballerina” degree.

In addition Natasha taught dance in Ukraine for 6 years.  She currently dances with Calgary’s Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre and has taught with Yalenka since 2001. She continues to dedicate herself to Yalenka's dancers and is well known for her creative choreography and vision behind Yalenka’s storyline each year.  Her passion and love of dance is legendary!

Yalenka is privileged to have Serguei Makarov as one of our instructors. Formerly of Kyiv, Ukraine, he is currently the Artistic director of Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre of Calgary.

Mr. Makarov graduated from the prestigious Kharkiv Ballet School of Ukraine in 1970 and began a 17 year career as a male soloist with Virsky, the Ukrainian State Dance Company. For the past 15 years, he has been actively sought after worldwide for his choreographic genius, rigorous and precise dance instruction and as an artistic director.

Mr. Makarov is one of the world’s leading exponents in Ukrainian folk-ballet and Vaganova ballet instruction. He has held Master classes in Vaganova ballet for renowned schools throughout the world and has conducted advanced Ukrainian folk-ballet classes with some of the world’s finest Ukrainian dance companies.

 

Jordan comes to the Yalenka family with over a decade of diverse dance experience including Ukrainian folk, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, improvisational, and circus arts.

Graduating from the University of Calgary with a BA in contemporary dance, Jordan has been excited to share his passion for movement with children and adults any chance he gets. Currently dancing under the direction of Serguei Makarov with Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre, Jordan has toured across Canada, Australia and the Western USA delighting audiences.  A proud supporter of the local Ukrainian community, he loves to perform at any opportunity, and is also a member of Korinnya Folk Ensemble.  

Jordan's commitment to early childhood development is demonstrated in all he does.  Graduating from the education program at the U of C in 2009, Jordan is currently a Kindergarten teacher by day.  Jordan looks forward to another exciting year with Yalenka!

Andrea has been with the Yalenka family for 12 years as a dancer and 6 years as an instructor.  She has more than 16 years of dance experience including Ukrainian, modern dance and ballet.  She has danced with Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers and Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre.  Andrea was very active in the drama department of her high school, both acting and directing, and attended the Alberta College of Art and Design.

Andrea dances for her Grandmother and to learn about and embrace her heritage.  She teaches to share her love of Ukrainian dance with others and to learn more about herself, and her abilities, as a dancer.  “Dance teaches us to express ourselves, to learn balance, discipline, commitment and an understanding of our bodies.  Dance is a very personal expression of one self and can be an escape from the stresses in life. I love it and it’s a huge part of my life.” Andrea feels she is living her dance dream “to travel and dance around the world.”

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