Recently the Ukrainian dance studio in Oak Lake held their year end recital where about kids ages K – Gr. 6 put on a show for family and friends in the Oak Lake Hall. This was the second year for Ukrainian dancing in Oak Lake.
“Ukrainian dancing is very fun and vibrant,” says their instructor Natasha Peper.
Students from Reston, Virden and the Oak Lake area were among the 16 dancers in the 12-week program. They were split into two age groups, 11 juniors and five in the senior group) and worked on one dance each.
Peper trained in Anola, Man. with Selo Ukrainian Dancers for some 18 years. Through Ukrainian dancing she found herself on the world’s stage.
“I got to dance all over the world including New York, San Diego, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. “
Ukrainian dance varies in style, depending on what region of Ukraine it originates.
For the Oak Lake lessons Peper said their dances came from the Kozachok region.
“Traditional Ukrainian dance costumes are quite colorful, detailed and beautiful” Peper says, however, “At this level of classes and to make it affordable for all, we keep our costumes very simple with colorful flower head pieces, red sashes and red beads.”
If the interest continues, Peper expects to teach again next year.
