When it comes to Ukrainian dancing in the Valley, the Benito Vesselli Ukrainian Dance Club keeps the tradition alive and achieves new accolades as its season unveils. For the second time in a row, Benito Vesselli Ukrainian Dancer Kemi Bulycz, has attended the Spirit of Virsky Seminar in Edmonton last month. The Spirit of Virsky Seminar is a Ukrainian dance workshop hosted by the Ukrainian Dance World and instructed by former Virsky Ensemble dancers.
“This was my second time attending the Spirit of Virsky Seminar,” said Kemi. “In a few ways, this year was different. The instructors who came from Virsky were all different compared to those who instructed last year. This year they focused more on ballet technique, arm and foot positions, and we learned two full famous Virsky dances.”
Kemi has found that each time she has attended the Spirit of Virsky Seminar, she has learned a lot of different techniques and dances. She uses this knowledge and learning to bring back to share with the Benito Vesselli Dance Club.
“I really enjoyed that we focused on ballet technique and jumps, along with multiple turn combinations, specifically obertoss turns,” said Kemi. These are skills that will help me grow as a dancer and also skills I can bring back to my club, Benito Vesselli.
“We learned two complete and famous Virsky dances, which were Khmil and Hopak. They were a lot of fun. Khmil is a dance about the female dancers playing tricks on the male dancers, who may have enjoyed a few too many adult beverages. Hopak is the most famous Ukrainian dance, showcasing tricks, fast footwork, and spins. It was a true honour to not only learn these dances but be taught by the professionals themselves.”
The seminar was instructed by world-renowned Ukrainian dancers and brought in students from across Western Canada. The classes focused heavily on style and technique for Ukrainian dancing.
“Dancers from all across Canada, mainly Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia were in attendance,” said Kemi. “Some who perform with amateur groups like myself and some who dance in professional ensembles.
“We had four Virsky Instructors, Frolov Kostiantyn, Anna Frolov, Masha Bodyan and Dmytro Bodyan. These four instructors are the best in the world. They performed with Virsky in Ukraine and have multiple years of experience. Watching them dance with grace and elegance was a pretty amazing feeling. They shared a lot of information with us that I will take with me forever.
“The seminar took place at Shumka Studios in Edmonton, Alberta, from July 14 to July 19,” said Kemi. “Classes started at 9 a.m. and ended around 4 p.m. with a lunch break in between. The mornings focused mainly on ballet, jumps and leaps, spins and tricks.
“In the afternoons, we would split and the male dancers would go with the male instructors, and the females would stay with the female instructors. This way, each group could focus on steps and techniques specific to them. We would meet again at the end of the day to learn choreography before leaving for the day. The six hours of instruction would fly by, and although my legs and body would be tired, I could have stayed longer. Every day was a lot of fun!
“On the last day, we performed a showcase for parents and guests,” said Kemi. “It was exciting to show a piece of what we were taught that week and receive a standing ovation.”
Attending the Spirit of Virsky is always a highlight for Kemi. It not only creates some long lasting memories, but it also gives her a chance to grow as a dancer and fulfill her dream.
“I’m able to bring back everything I was taught to my hometown clubs, Benito Vesselli and Liliya Ukrainian Dance,” said Kemi. “I often assist our instructors, Ms. Amanda, who is my mom, and Mr. Austin, and learning new skills helps me teach and show younger dancers the art of Ukrainian dance. Attending the Virsky seminar also helps me as a performer, it strengthens my skills, arm and foot positions and helps me feel more confident.
“Attending the seminar helps me build new connections to professional dance groups. I plan to audition for a group after high school and attending helps me create connections, build friendships and sharpen my skills. The seminar is in Edmonton, Alberta, which has multiple professional Ukrainian dance groups, so it’s fun to meet the dancers and artistic directors and expand my Ukrainian dance community.
“I have been in Ukrainian dance for 14 years; next year I will graduate and complete 15 years of Ukrainian dancing,” said Kemi. “My future goals are to audition and hopefully join a professional Ukrainian dance ensemble.”
The Benito Vesselli Ukrainian Dance Club also had another major highlight this summer at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival. The club has competed in various competitions over the years, but never at the stage of CNUF.
“The 2025-2026 Dance Season marks 43 years for the Benito Vesselli Dance Club,” said Benito Vesselli Ukrainian Dance Instructor Amanda Bulycz. “Vesselli dancers have attended CNUF in the past, but haven’t attended in many, many years. Last summer was Vesselli’s first year returning to the Talent Stage at CNUF.
“The Talent Stage Competition at CNUF runs similarly to any other Ukrainian dance competition, with a few differences. The competition is held outside on one of the side stages and anyone can register to compete. This year, the competition ran three days with adjudicator Kaitlyn Kruk from Ukraine, originally from Canada. Performers may enter solos, duets, trios, small or large group dances of any region and any age.
“Competitors perform within sessions and at the end of their session receive a mark and either a bronze, silver or gold medal,” said Amanda. “At the end of the competition, the adjudicator picks the top performance from two categories. This year, there was one winner from the solos/duets/trio category and one winner from the small and large group category. The adjudicator decides on the winners by who she feels deserves the grand prize, based on a few factors such as choreography, overall performance, technique, etc. This year, the grand prize was $750 plus the opportunity to perform on the main grandstand during a main stage performance at next year’s CNUF.”
The Benito Vesselli Ukrainian Senior Dancers competed this year at CNUF’s Talent Stage. Amanda worked closely with the dancers, as well as chose the music and choreography for the competition.
“The Vesselli Seniors Grace Keller, Kemi Bulycz, Megan Woytkiw, Quinn Barker, Katie Hunt and Laryssa Mychalchuk performed Volyn at the talent stage competition,” said Amanda. “I’m Vesselli’s choreographer and head instructor, and I actually had this piece of music picked out years ago, waiting for the opportunity to use it with a group of dancers. The piece has many tempo changes and is an upbeat traditional piece, so I’ve been waiting for the chance to use it and create choreography to match.
I was excited when, in the very first class last year, I played it and the dancers shared my excitement to want to perform to it. We had a lot of fun trying new tricks, lifts, jumps, turns, and combinations while I worked through the choreography. The seniors first performed this dance at Vesselli’s Malanka in January and it was then that I knew they would continue to succeed with this dance. The crowd was clapping, cheering and enjoying the performance as much as we had enjoyed creating and learning it.
“At competitions this year, they brought home multiple gold medals and even a scholarship for this piece,” said Amanda.
The competition this year was tough at CNUF’s Talent Stage, bringing Ukrainian dancers from all across Canada and showcasing the best in the country.
“The Benito Vesselli Ukrainian Dancers have not won the CNUF Talent Stage Competition before,” said Amanda. “This is our first time. There were 34 clubs from all across Canada entered, and over 160 dances total competing in the competition.”
The heart, determination and spirit of the Benito Vesselli Ukrainian Dancers not only took the stage at CNUF, but the hearts of the judges as well, as they won gold for their performance.
“The reaction was priceless and one I will forever remember,” said Amanda. “The seniors, alongside their parents, were gathered patiently waiting for the announcement of who won. We did not expect to hear our name called, but when the adjudicator dropped hints, I could see the excitement and joy in the dancers’ faces build.
“The adjudicator started by saying the dance winning the $750 prize and the opportunity to perform on the main grandstand stage at the 2026 CNUF was a Volyn dance, mixed group, and 16+ years. At this point, I could see the dancers all smiling and holding hands, wondering if they would be called. Then the adjudicator said, ‘They performed this morning…….Benito Vesselli Dance Club, and the dancers screamed, cried, hugged, and jumped up and down. It was a moment I am sure will stay with them forever.
“As their instructor and as a mom of one of the dancers, I was equally as excited and proud of their huge accomplishment,” said Amanda. “They worked hard all year, but especially the month leading up to CNUF. We spent many summer nights practicing and perfecting combinations. Their hard work paid off.”
With fall and back to school right around the corner, the Benito Vessell Ukrainian Dance Club is already preparing for the start of their upcoming season, with registration taking place next month.
“Our season begins the third week of September and registration will open the last week of August,” said Amanda. “Registration details are posted on our Facebook Page, Benito Vesselli Dance Club, or people can contact me. If anyone is interested in hearing more about our club and/or joining, we would love to have you and welcome all. The first two weeks are free to try.
“Our other instructor, Austin Spencer, and I have been busy planning practices, workshops, choreography and more as we enter what might be one of our biggest seasons yet!”