Our Story
Founded in Austin in 2015, Sonyashnyk Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is a nonprofit dedicated to keeping Ukrainian folk dance vivid and authentic — honoring the regions, costumes, and music that give each dance its meaning, and sharing that heritage with new audiences and a new generation of dancers.
Mission & Philosophy
Every suite in our repertoire begins with research. Before a single step is choreographed, we study the region it comes from — its music, its embroidery, its social customs — so that what audiences see on stage is faithful to the people who first danced it.
We are equally a performance company and a cultural home: a place where Ukrainians of the diaspora and curious newcomers alike can connect with a heritage worth protecting.
From the Director
Artistic Director & Founder
Born in Poltava, Tetyana grew up immersed in the bright, buoyant folk traditions of central Ukraine. She founded Sonyashnyk in Austin in 2015 to share that heritage — choreographing the company’s regional suites and leading the costume research that keeps every production authentic.
Cultural Education
A short look at the pieces in our repertoire — where they come from and what makes each one distinct.
Central Ukraine
Often called the national dance of Ukraine, the Hopak originated among the Zaporozhian Cossacks of central Ukraine. Once an improvised display of martial prowess, it evolved into a stage spectacle famous for its soaring leaps, spinning tours, and the crouching prysiadka kicks. Traditionally led by men as a show of strength and stamina, the modern Hopak weaves in women’s graceful patterns to build to an exuberant, whirling finale.
Central-Eastern Ukraine
The Poltava region gives us some of Ukraine’s most cheerful and buoyant folk dances. Reflecting the fertile farmland and warm temperament of central Ukraine, Poltava choreography is bright and playful, full of quick footwork, flirtatious couple patterns, and the vivid red-and-white embroidery that the region is famous for.
Contemporary
Mriya (мрія — “dream”) is a contemporary number in our repertoire, danced as an expression of hope, resilience, and longing for a free and peaceful Ukraine.
