Faculty and students came together in Carmichael Gym on Thursday to learn traditional Ukrainian dance. Participants started slow, but quickly picked up speed and technique as they linked arms and laughed together.
Together they paced out a stepping movement with the beat of an energetic accordion song. Participants practiced walking with the step and incorporating other moves like a spin between measures.
The instructor of the course, Carrie (Tkacz) Lang, taught with grace and wisdom. Many participants had no dance experience, but were gently guided to learn something outside of their comfort zone.
(Tkacz) Lang is the director at Tsvitinnya’s North Carolina Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Her interest in Ukrainian dance was sparked by her Ukrainian ancestors. Her grandparents met in Ukraine and were separated from their families during World War II. After immigrating to the U.S., (Tkacz) Lang found Ukrainian dance as a way to remember her family heritage and what they had been through.
“Ukrainian dancing was definitely a fun way for me to get involved [in her culture] and move throughout all those different areas,” (Tkacz)Lang said. “Getting into the history, learning the culture of Ukrainian dancing is fun.”
As (Tkacz) Lang taught the class, she made sure to incorporate background and culture within her teaching. She explained that special events like New Year’s and weddings incorporate dance into their celebrations.
“People will dance together in couples,” (Tkacz) Lang said. “It doesn’t always have to be a big performance, but it is a just a great way to celebrate and just be happy. In the group with other types and styles of dances, sometimes they’ll compete against each other.”
Maya Harding, a first-year studying psychology, said incorporating Ukrainian culture into the lesson helped reinforce the dance’s importance.
“It’s a very different style than I’m used to, but also a very important cultural dance,” Harding said. “And I think that added a cool, new spin to it that was different. I think that because it had that weight and importance to see both.”
This class was part of a series NC State offers called Master Class. Every week a new teacher is invited in to teach students of all levels of experiences specific styles of dance.
Amy Beasley, an assistant professor in the Department of Performing Arts and Technology, said master classes give students a chance to learn dances outside of taking a class.
“We have one class a week that is open to anyone, regardless of if they’re able to take an academic course or not because any skill level should be able to come once to take a class,” Beasley said. “We can also offer things that aren’t in the curriculum.”
Harding continued this idea and thought it was a unique experience for students to have.
“I think it opens up a lot of cool new opportunities for people who may have experiences in areas, but also [those who] don’t, and getting to try new things,” Harding said.
The class was fueled by the energy the dance brought them. With the joy of the music and the stories behind them, students and faculty got to experience something out of the ordinary.
To view and sign up for an upcoming Master Class offered by NC State, view the website for the Department of Performing Arts and Technology.
