Ukrainian folk dance camp holds two sessions at Soyuzivka (10/08/06)

Ukrainian folk dance camp holds two sessions at Soyuzivka

by Chryzanta Hentisz

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - For four weeks this summer, guests at Soyuzivka who lingered at the pool or Tiki bar were serenaded by the sounds of music and dancing feet emanating from the Veselka Hall. The cheerful noise was made by the campers participating in the two two-week sessions of Traditional Folk Dance Camp sponsored by the Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Foundation.

The camps were headed by Executive Director Ania Bohachevsky Lonkevych, with the able assistance of Kristine Izak, Andrij Cybyk and Orlando Pagan. The aim of the camps, and the foundation in general, is to further Mrs. Bohachevsky's legacy by preserving and passing down the unique tradition of Ukrainian dance.

The first session, running from July 23 to August 5, was attended by 36 campers and overseen by 18 counselors and camp director ("komendantka") Christine Syzonenko. A record 77 campers participated in the second session on August 6-19, along with 21 counselors and komendantka Nina Kobryn. Larisa Pagan served as wardrobe mistress and make-up artist for both sessions, creating beautiful costumes and looks to enhance the dances.

All of the counselors at the camp were hand-picked by Ms. Lonkevych and had previously attended the Ukrainian Dance Workshop for advanced dancers and, prior to as that, dance camp.

Campers, whose ages ranged from 8 to 16 with skill levels from beginning dancer to advanced, danced from 9 a.m. to as late as 10 p.m., working intensively to improve their skills and prepare for the each session's final performance. They took classes in ballet, the basis of all dance; character or Ukrainian dancing; and repertory (learning the dances for the performance).

Nor was the fun factor neglected. During their afternoon break the campers were able to relax and swim at the beautiful Soyuzivka pool or explore the grounds. They were treated to barbecue/bonfire night, devouring a whole roasted pig donated by the Chelak family, where they not only presented their own humorous skits but were entertained by their counselors.

This year the counselors told the tale of "Vasyl Vonka," the story of hopeful dancers auditioning at the famed dance school run by Vonka. On "Clash Day," participants in the camp dressed in funny and bizarre costumes causing a great deal of hilarity during class. Near the end of each session a special banquet celebrated the campers' hard work and achievements.

One of the distinguishing factors of the camps sponsored by the foundation is the care and attention given to each dancer. Every participant is assessed and particular attention is given to his or her individual needs, not only by the instructors but the counselors who work with them one on one. This nurturing enables them to leave the camp not only with vastly improved skills, but a better understanding of Ukrainian dance and the art of dance in general.

The pride the instructors and counselors have in each dancer's achievement is nowhere more evident than in the "Kolomiyka" during Soyuzivka's Saturday night dances. Here the campers are encouraged to participate in the circle, showing off the tricks and moves they learned during the camp.

The end of each session is marked by a final performance attended by the campers' families and guests at Soyuzivka. This year the performance showcased two distinct elements of dance. The first section allowed each camper to showcase his/her Ukrainian dancing through the performance of dances such as the "Pryvit," "Hutsulka," "Polissian Polka," "Barynskyi Kozachok," "Bukovynian Dance" and "Karpatska Kolomyika" choreographed by Ms. Izak, Mr. Cybyk and Mr. Pagan.

The second section highlighted each dancer's skills in ballet and lyrical dance in a fairy tale titled "The Six Dancing Daughters." Choreographed by Ms. Izak, Mr. Cybyk and Mr. Pagan, the tale told the story of Kozak Ostap, his six daughters and the mystery of how the daughters wore out a new pair of slippers every day.

Ivasyk, an apprentice of the shoemaker who is accused by Kozak Ostap of sorcery, solves the mystery with the aid of Baba Paraska. Hidden by an invisible cape provided by the Baba, Ivasyk follows the enchanted daughters to the Land of the Fairy Queen. Along the way they encounter fireflies, enchanted mushrooms, mavky and rusalky (forest and water nymphs), cattails, butterflies and fairies. In the Land of the Fairies Ivasyk learns of the enchantment the Queen of the Fairies has placed on the daughters that makes them dance through the night with six fairy princes.

Although he is threatened by an owl in the forest on his way home, Ivasyk manages to disclose the secret to Kozak Ostap, who destroys the Queen's power and frees his daughters and the princes from her spells. All ends happily ever after, as the daughters marry the now mortal young men.

The dancers culminated their camp experience in a rousing, foot stomping, whirling and colorful "Hopak," which had the audience on its feet clapping and shouting.

The combination of hard work and fun was so appealing to the campers that some attended both sessions and by the end of camp more than 30 had already signed on for next year.

While each session of the camp provides two weeks of intensive training, the participants are encouraged to further study dance during the year in order to maintain and enhance the techniques they acquired during the summer session.

Many of the camp's participants in the New York, New Jersey area attend Ukrainian dance schools run by the Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Foundation. In these schools, the classes are taught by instructors trained by Mrs. Bohachevsky to pass on the tradition of Ukrainian dance. They also serve as the official training ground for the Syzokryli Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, the premiere Ukrainian dance ensemble in the United States.

For more information on the foundation, its schools and camps or Syzokryli check out www.syzokryli.com or call 610-416-6088.

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