We are an ensemble of Toronto-based Ukrainian dancers who share a passion for Ukrainian dance with each other and audiences nationwide.
The Vesnianka Ukrainian Dance School and Ensemble was founded in 1958 under the direction of Mr. Mykola Baldeckyj. Starting with a vision and merely five couples, Mr. Baldeckyj offered Ukrainian dance as an extra-curricular activity for Ukrainian speaking Heritage schools. By 1969, he nurtured the collective and expanded Vesnianka to 80 dancers.
Having celebrated more than 50 years, Vesnianka has performed throughout Canada, internationally, for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and most recently Toronto’s Pan American games.
Currently, Vesnianka is under the Artistic Direction of Larisa Makuch and Taras Pawluk. The Ensemble participates in annual cultural festivities like Koliada and performs at both private and public community events like the Toronto and Montreal Ukrainian Festivals and Ukrainian Independence Day.
OUR UNIQUE PROCESS
At Vesnianka we study and practice contemporary dance techniques while maintaining the integrity of Ukrainian folk dance and culture. We make it a point to work hard and also play hard.
OUR PASSION
To have Ukrainian dance flourish and thrive in our Ukrainian-Canadian diaspora. Vesnianka has always been a volunteer-based organization where all members are welcome and are not required to pay a fee.
OUR COMMITMENT
“We are committed to sharing the joy and love for Ukrainian dance infused in each of us throughout our youth.” Larisa Makuch & Taras Pawluk
LARISA MAKUCH, Artistic Director
Larisa has been teaching dance to students across Canada for more than 19 years ranging in ability from beginner to professional. She is also a Pilates instructor and teacher trainer for Body Harmonics and she draws on her training in anatomy, biomechanics, psychology and business to create safe, fun and effective classes for her students.
Larisa has been an ensemble and soloist dancer with Saskatoon’s Pavlychneko Folklorique Ensemble, the DESNA Ukrainian Dance Company of Toronto, The Kozak’s and Mak. Having taken part in four Cobblestone Freeway Ukrainian dance tours, she’s studied Ukrainian dance throughout Ukraine. She’s also studied with Ukrainian dance and movement masters from across the globe.
In the past, Larisa has been a lead instructor for Vegerville’s Malanka dancers, Artistic Director of the Windsor Ukrainian Dance Group and Ensemble, instructor/choreographer with the YAVIR and DESNA Schools of Ukrainian Dance.
TARAS PAWLUK, Artistic Director
Taras has been extensively involved and interwoven in Toronto’s Ukrainian dance scene since the 1970’s. He began his Ukrainian dance training with the Vesnianka School of Ukrainian Dance when he was 5 years old and hasn’t turned back since.
Throughout his dance career, Taras performed with the Vesnianka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Ukrainian Festival Dance Company, Ukrainian Caravan Restaurant Cabaret Show, Kaniv Dancers, The DESNA Ukrainian Dance Company and The Kozak’s under the direction of Andrij Baczynskyj and The Kozak’s of the Millenium.
Taras’ passion for Ukrainian dance has allowed him to travel throughout Canada, the US and world wide performing and studying Ukrainian dance. Most recently, Taras has taken part in four Cobblestone Freeway Ukrainian Dance Tours where he studied the nuances of more than 10 ethnographic regions of Ukraine.
MYKOLA BALDECKYJ, Founder
Born in Ukraine and uprooted to Italy during the second world war, Mr. Baldeckyj began teaching Ukrainian dance in the work camps. After the war, he then moved to England where he began sharing his love of Ukrainian dance with the youth of CYM in Nottingham. In 1958, he immigrated to Canada and founded the Vesnianka Ukrainian Dance School and Ensembles as a member of ODUM.
Mr. Baldeckyj taught and influenced more than 1,200 students throughout his journeys in Ukrainian dance. He’s an artist, an innovator and has been one of the major driving forces of Ukrainian dance in Eastern Canada. Many of his students have gone on to become instructors of Ukrainian dance, many have sent their children to continue the tradition, and others have fond memories to share.
During his 55+ years with Vesnianka, Mr. Baldeckyj led his dancers through more than 1,000 performances throughout Canada, the US and Europe. He’s devoted much of his life to Vesnianka and the love of Ukrainian dance… all while raising a family and having a full time job.
“I enjoy dancing. I danced myself and wanted to organize something for my kids to do. My daughters began as dancers, then helped me teach. My wife made all the costumes. It was something our family did together.”