AUUC Winnipeg’s Zirka Dance Ensemble was formed in 2024 to provide adults of all ages with the opportunity to enjoy the practice of Ukrainian folk dance. Dances are tailored for all abilities and skill levels, and are led by a professional instructor.
The group rehearses Saturday mornings from 930 to 1130 am.
For more info, contact us at auucwinnipeg@gmail.com or 204-582-9269
Instructor: Maria Mykhailivna Lyapina
In 1975, Maria graduated from the Kyiv State Institute of Culture which was named after Oleksandr Korniychuk. Sent to work at the College of Culture and Art of the city of Nizhyn, of the Chernihiv region, she worked there for 47 years. She taught the disciplines of folk dance, dance composition, and pedagogical practice. For the last 20 years, she was the director of the dance ensemble, Nizhyn. She had more than 50 dances in her repertoire, theming of the life of the people of Ukraine, its workings, life, heroic past, titles including: Forest Dryad, Potato Polka, Cossacks in Crusade. She retired from work in 2022, but has taken up the role of teaching Ukrainian dance at AUUC since 2024.
Dance School Director: Renata Hryndzio
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Renata grew up speaking Ukrainian and has been dancing since she was little (over 25 years). She has been helping out with the AUUC’s dance program since 2022. She starting out her first 2 years teaching ages 4-13, then transitioned into the role of School Director, assisting Maria. Outside her involvement at AUUC, Renata dances with Druzhba Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, sings in O’Koshetz Choir, and enjoys partner dancing, especially lindy hop and west coast swing.
