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Natasha Olshevska

Artistic Director / Senior 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 six 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!

Serguei Makarov

Senior Instructor

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 18 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 Trechka

Instructor

Jordan comes to the Yalenka family with over a decade of diverse dance and teaching experiences. Graduating from the University of Calgary with a BA in contemporary dance, and a BEd. in Early Childhood Education. Jordan has been excited to share his passion for movement with children and adults any chance he gets. Having danced under the direction of Serguei Makarov with Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre, Jordan has toured across Canada, Europe, Australia and the western United States delighting audiences. As a proud supporter of the local Ukrainian community, he loves to teach the art of dance, and is also a member of Korinnya Folk Ensemble.

Yevgen Tregubov

Instructor

After graduating college with a degree in Dance, Yevgen began performing with the Yunist Dance Company in Lviv. He then moved to Kyiv to dance with the Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble, Virsky. Following five years with Virsky, he then toured Europe performing in musicals in Czechoslovakia, Germany and Switzerland.

In 1999 Yevgen moved to Toronto where he was part of Virsky Stars. Capitalizing on his additional training in modern, tap and swing dance, he organized his own group for swing dance and did choreography for “Into the Lights” the musical while in Toronto. Yevgen moved to Calgary in 2006 where he was part of Suzirya’s production of Katerina. He joined the Yalenka team in 2018.

Milolika Smolyaninova

Instructor

Milolika (aka Lika) is a Yalenka alumna, starting her journey in Ukrainian dance 13 years ago with Yalenka. She then returned to us as an assistant instructor. Currently at the University of Calgary she is double majoring in Mathematics and Education to one day become a Mathematics teacher. She fights for any chance she can get to spread some knowledge and skill!

Though she retired from Yalenka, she currently dances with the rest of the wonderful instructors at Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre. Milolika loves being part of the Ukrainian dance community and is super excited for the new year of dance.

Christina Pyra

Instructor

Christina began Ukrainian Dance and ballet instruction at the tender young age of 3 – and has not been able to put down her dancing slippers ever since! Having studied and performed at the highest levels with the Rozmai and Orlan Ukrainian Dance Ensembles in Winnipeg, she has polished off those red dancing boots since moving to Calgary and now dances with our own “Radist” group.

Christina has taught dance to children of all ages – proudly showcasing our beautiful culture at festivals, guest appearances, private and public events, recitals and competition across the Prairies. Christina taught both the Junior and Senior Apprentice Ensembles of Rozmai and served as Artistic Director and Instructor with the Zavarooka School of Dance during her time in Winnipeg.

Above all else, her philosophy is that dance should be fun for all – and she can’t wait to meet this year’s group of dancers!

Kyle Haley

Instructor

Originally from Calgary Alberta, Kyle has always been passionate about dance and theatre. Having attended the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, completing a BSc degree in Kinesiology/Dance from the U of C, as well as a teaching degree from St Mary’s University. Kyle’s performance credits include The Calgary Stampede Evening Grandstand Show, Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre; Kateryna tours & Spirit of the Seasons productions, Princess Cruises; Sapphire Princess voyages to Alaska & Mexico, as well Theatre Calgary’s 2012 production of CAT’s in the role of Macavity. Kyle is currently dancing under the direction of Serguei Makarov, and looks forward to working with the talented youth of Yalenka Ukrainian Dance Society.

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