New Artistic Directors - 2025
Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Welcomes World Renowned Artists Mariia and Dmytro Bodyan as New Artistic Directors
August 2025
Honoured Artists of Ukraine and former soloists of the P. Virsky National Dance Company of Ukraine
Cultural leaders who have inspired dancers worldwide through masterclasses,
performances, and the @danceofukraine platform
Officially beginning their new roles in Fall 2025, bringing a powerful vision of
resilience, artistry, and hope to Winnipeg
'
s Ukrainian community
WINNIPEG, MB, August 27, 2025 – Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble today announced the appointment of internationally acclaimed Ukrainian dancers Mariia and Dmytro Bodyan as the Ensemble’ s new Artistic Directors. Both Honoured Artists of Ukraine and former soloists with the world-renowned P. Virsky National Dance Company of Ukraine, the Bodyans bring decades of professional stage and teaching experience to one of Canada’ s most celebrated Ukrainian dance ensembles.
Mariia Bodyan was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and spent 18 years as a performer and soloist with the P. Virsky National Dance Company. She also worked as a teacher of folk-stage and classical dance at the Kyiv Ballet School and has since become known internationally as a sought-after instructor of masterclasses and workshops in folk choreography. Mariia is the co-founder of the popular @danceofukraine Instagram platform, which unites and inspires Ukrainian dancers worldwide. Most recently, she continued her teaching career in Canada as a classical choreography instructor at Olympium Gymnastic Club in Toronto.
Dmytro Bodyan, born in Sevastopol, Ukraine, dedicated over 15 years to the P. Virsky National Dance Company as a celebrated soloist. Recognized as an Honoured Artist of Ukraine, Dmytro’ s work as an educator and choreographer spans numerous festivals and masterclasses, including Yaskrava Kraina, Hopak Camp, Spirit of Virsky, and Yellow-Blue Heart. He has also served as an adjudicator for children’s and adult dance festivals in both Ukraine and Canada, sharing his expertise in Ukrainian folk andclassical choreography. Like Mariia, Dmytro most recently taught classical dance at Olympium Gymnastic Club.
In 2024, Mariia and Dymtro relocated to Canada with their young son, Marko, continuing their artistic journey abroad while staying deeply connected to their homeland of Ukraine. With a wealth of international performance and teaching experience, they bring to Winnipeg a vision that blends the traditions of Ukrainian folk dance with a fresh, contemporary outlook.
“Mariia and Dmytro 's arrival in Winnipeg marks a historic new chapter for Rusalka—one rooted in resilience, cultural preservation, and the enduring spirit of Ukrainian dance,” said Laryssa Semchyshyn, Chair of the Board, Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble.
“Their unparalleled experience, creative brilliance, and lived story of determination will inspire not only our dancers, but the broader community. We are honoured to welcome them into the Rusalka family.”
Together, Mariia and Dmytro have performed on some of the world’ s most prestigious stages and have taught workshops and masterclasses across Europe and North America. Their work combines the technical precision of classical choreography with the vibrant energy of Ukrainian folk stage traditions, creating an artistry that is both deeply authentic and globally resonant.
“Becoming Artistic Directors of Rusalka is both a great honour and a great responsibility,” said Mariia and Dmytro Bodyan.
“Through dance, we carry Ukraine’s story—its beauty, its sorrow, its strength—to audiences far beyond its borders. In this moment of war, dance is our weapon of resilience, our language of hope. We are eager to build on Rusalka’s extraordinary legacy and to inspire the next generation of Ukrainian dancers here in Manitoba.”
Founded in 1962, Rusalka has long been a cultural cornerstone of Winnipeg’s arts scene, captivating audiences with tours across Asia, Europe, North America, and Ukraine, and performing for heads of state and royalty. The appointment of Mariia and Dmytro Bodyan signals a bold new era for the Ensemble, one that bridges Rusalka’s proud 63-year history with an urgent, contemporary mission: to preserve, elevate, and share Ukrainian culture in the face of attempts to erase it.
Media inquiries: Morgan Shipley | communications@rusalkadance.ca
