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Volya

Ukrainian Dance Group

Volya, meaning ‘freedom’ encompasses the unified spirit of the over 20 ensemble members. With many of Volya’s original members having studied in Ukraine, a desire existed to develop a similar academic style of dance within Canada. A strict adherence to technical training and professionalism is a philosophical belief still maintained today under the Artistic Direction of Zhenia Bahri, a former professional dancer and director from Ukraine. Zhenia has been the Artistic Director since 2000 and has brought unsurpassed passion, knowledge, and expertise to the Ensemble in his lifelong dedication to the art of Ukrainian dance.


Since its inception in 1989, Volya has flourished into a vibrant ensemble consisting of dedicated members who have captivated and delighted audiences with their dynamic performances around the world. Volya has entertained audiences at festivals in Germany, Holland, Brazil, Italy, USA (California, New York), Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Turkey, France, England, the Azores Islands, Greece and Colombia. Volya celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2014 with a series of shows across western Canada that culminated in a packed show at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton of October 2014. In fall of 2015 Volya headlined the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, delighting thousands of spectators.


Over the years many dancers have entered Volya's studios with the same goal in mind, to dance for the love of dance and to establish an identity for the ensemble that is uniquely Volya!



Вже весна прийшла | Spring Has Come

In the pre-Christian era of Kyivan-Rus, Ukrainians would gather in ritualistic dance to worship the elemental gods of the sun and the earth, ensuring a bountiful spring season of renewed life.

Choreography: Zhenia Bahri


Volya
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