Instructors

Vykrutas Ukrainian Dance Society

Our mission is to preserve and share Ukrainian heritage and culture through the joy of dance! Artistic Director, Vasyl Kanevets' unique style emphasizes the Ukrainian spirit, and showcases traditional folk dances that have been passed down for generations. Our hard work and dedication have been recognized with awards from Canada and Ukraine, which have further motivated us to continue to strive for excellence. Our students range from 3 to adult, and have all found a home at our school. We invite you to dance with us and experience the joy that comes with sharing Ukrainian dance with others.

Artistic Director

Vasyl Kanevets

Artistic Director/ Ballet Master/ Lead Instructor

Mr. Vasyl Kanevets, born in Kyiv, Ukraine, began his dancing career at the age of five with the children’s folk dance group at the Kyiv Central Palace of Pioneers. His extensive dance experience comes from performing with the State Ballet Academy of Kyiv, “Nadzbruchanka” Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble of Ternopil, Ukraine, and the Military Song and Dance Ensemble in Kyiv. Mr. Kanevets holds a Ballet Masters Degree with Honours from the Kyiv State Institute of Culture. He was an instructor at the Kyiv Children’s Choreographic School where his students received the second and third diplomas in the National Ballet Competition of Ukraine.

In 1995, Mr. Kanevets moved to Canada, where he continued to work as a professional dance instructor and choreographer. During the past twenty five years, he has instructed students with the “Yatran” Dance Academy of Edmonton, “Koperoush” School of Ukrainian Dance in Sherwood Park, “Desna” St. Paul and District Ukrainian Dance Club, “Tryzub” Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and School of Ukrainian Dance of Calgary, “Aurora” Ukrainian Dancers of Fort McMurray and “Vykrutas” Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Calgary. During Her Majesty’s Queen Elizabeth II visit to Calgary in 2005, “Tryzub” performed Mr. Kanevets’ choreography “Kozachyi” for the Queen. Mr. Kanevets was a guest choreographer for the 2006 folk ballet The Legend of the Rusalka, a joint production between the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. His choreography was featured in several collaborations between the “Tryzub” Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. During his time in Canada, Mr. Kanevets has been an adjudicator at many different Ukrainian Dance Festivals and competitions, and an instructor at several summer intensive Ukrainian dance camps and workshops presented by Shumka, Rusalka, Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensembles, and Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association (AUDA).

In 2017, Mr. Kanevets received the “Teacher of the Year” award from Ukrainian Dance World Magazine for his body of work in Alberta as a Ukrainian Dance Instructor. Also in 2017, Vasyl was part of a group of individuals who founded “Vykrutas” Ukrainian Dance Society of Calgary. Throughout the last five years, Vykrutas Ukrainian Dance Society has grown to include over 60 dancers. In 2020, Vasyl and Vykrutas organized and presented a joint performance with other Junior Ukrainian Dance Ensembles called BRAVO!, which delivered inspiring performances by Ukrainian and other folk-dance groups in Alberta. Even during the lockdowns and social distancing, Vasyl and Vykrutas continued to hone their craft and had participated in online festivals in Canada and Ukraine earning several first place and laureate standings for choreography and performance.

Mr. Vasyl Kanevets continues to support the Ukrainian Canadian dance community by organizing the second BRAVO performance in 2022, with the goal of raising funds for those affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine. With Vasyl leading the way, over 100 dancers from across Alberta came together to perform a benefit performance for Ukraine. Together, the participating Junior Ensembles raised over $20 000 to help Ukrainians displaced by the war. Later in the year, he collaborated with the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association to choreograph a joint Privyt Dance comprising of dancers from different Ukrainian dance Ensembles of Edmonton. Mr. Vasyl Kanevets continues to work and teach dancers young and old all across Alberta; he continues to pursue excellence and ingenuity in Ukrainian Dance.

Instructors

Vasyl Kanevets

Artistic Director,
Ballet Master,
Lead Instructor

Anna Kanevets

Instructor

Uliana Kanevets

Instructor

Assistant Instructors

Aniela N.

Assistant Instructor

My name is Aniela and I am 17 years old. I started Ukrainian dancing when I was 10 years old. I have always loved to dance but as I got older I strayed away from it and then I discovered Ukrainian dance. I did Ukrainian danced for two years and then took a break from it for a couple years after an injury. I joined back at Vykrutas two years ago now and it has been an amazing experience as always. I joined Vykrutas because it was the first Ukrainian group I learned about and because I knew people who already danced there. It is truly a blessing to be able to learn from Vasyl and Anna and share the traditions and stories hidden within dance. I never thought that Ukrainian dance would impact me so much but it has truly become a part of me. It has allowed me to connect more with my Ukrainian cousins and culture. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Ukrainian dance.

Dianna B.

Assistant Instructor

I started dancing when I was 2 years old and joined Ukrainian dance when I was 5. I have continued to dance because I love performing on stage and attending competitions. I also admire the Ukrainian culture and learning about my heritage. My wonderful instructors, Vasyl and Anna Kavenets, have taught me proper technique, stage presence, discipline and dedication. I am proud of the choreography awards we have won, and our many accomplishments. It’s a lot of fun to share my love of dance by assisting the younger dancers at Vykrutas.

Makynze S.

Assistant Instructor

My name is Makynze! I danced for 12 years and was apart of Vykrutas for the last four years of my dance journey. I unfortunately had to stop dancing because I tore a ligament in my knee and needed surgery. This year when I got given the opportunity to come back and assistant teach I was excited to come back because of my love for the environment within the studio, dance, and the ability to feel at home with other dancers is the best feeling. I’m excited to teach the younger generation of dancers this season and try to instil the same passion I have for dance in them!

Mason G.

Assistant Instructor

Oleksandra Z.

Assistant Instructor

I've been dancing for three years, with a particular focus on Ukrainian dance, which has become my true passion. Vykrutas, the dance studio where I train, holds a special place in my heart. It not only encourages creativity but also helps me stay connected to my cultural roots. Ukrainian dance, with its vibrant energy and intricate movements, reflects the traditions and stories of my heritage. Teaching and performing this dance form allows me to preserve and share the richness of Ukrainian culture with others, creating a meaningful way to celebrate and express my identity.

Polina S.

Assistant Instructor

My big passion for Ukrainian Dance started since I was 9 years old. But I have started dancing from 3 years old overall. In Ukraine, I performed a ukrainian dance with my first dance group and dance family for a lot of years. I had a chance to perform in Bulgaria and the biggest competitions (such as "For You Ukraine", "Talent of the World", "Star Step" and many more) in Kiyv on the Virskiy stage. We had received Grand Prizes for a lot of times and won trips to different countries (like Bulraria, Turkey, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania). When the war started, in 2022, me and my family moved to Canada, Calgary. To be honest, I was really shocked when recognized that there are a lot of Ukrainian dance groups that are supporting Ukraine and popularizing Ukrainian culture in Canada. When I joined Vykrutas, I've found a new dance family. With Vykrutas, as growing, I'm becoming a stronger dancer, and just loving Ukrainian dancing and its culture even more! For now, I am dancing for 10 years, and wishing to become a professional dancer in Ukrainian folk Dance.

Sasha S.

Assistant Instructor

My name is Sasha and I am 15 years old. My parents were both Ukrainian dancers which triggered my interest in dance. Unfortunately I lived in California at the time where there was no Ukrainian group. I started at Vykrutas when I was 8. I have been fortunate to have Vasyl and Anna Kanevets as my teachers- they have instilled proper Ukrainian and ballet technique from the start. I love their unique choreography and getting to perform with my fellow dancers. We have the best times at practice, competitions and shows. When I am not dancing you can find me on the stage performing musical theater or classical voice. I am grateful for this opportunity to assist the younger dancers.

Yurii K.

Assistant Instructor

My passion for Ukrainian dance began after the war, as a way to stay connected to my heritage during a challenging time. The energy and rich cultural significance of the dance helped me find strength and resilience. I chose to dance to honour and preserve the beauty of Ukrainian traditions, while supporting and standing with the Ukrainian nation. Through dance, I aim to share this cultural legacy and contribute to the spirit of unity and pride.

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