The Verkhovyna Ukrainian Song and Dance Ensemble's goal is to promote the Ukrainian culture and increase awareness of the Ukrainian heritage. Verkhovyna thrives on enabling their own members, audiences, and the community to build friendships, a sense of belonging and an extended family.

The Verkhovyna Ukrainian Song and Dance Ensemble is a unique Ukrainian Ensemble, which has the ability to combine forces and blend Ukrainian Song and Dance in ambitious and exciting ways.

The Verkhovyna Ukrainian Song and Dance Ensemble is the cultural arm of the Edmonton branch of the Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada (CYM). A broad spectrum of the Ukrainian community is represented within the ensemble, from Ukrainians new to Canada to fourth generation Ukrainian Canadians.

The Ensemble is comprised of three groups, the Verkhovyna Choir, Dunai Dancers, and Verkhovyna Ensemble School of Ukrainian dance. The Verkhovyna Choir and Dunai Dancers have toured together as an ensemble, as well as performed separately, for appreciative audiences in Canada, The United States of America, Brazil, Costa Rica and Eastern Europe.

Artistic Staff

Caitlin Loree - Dunai Dancers Artistic Director

Caitlin grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and started Ukrainian dancing at an early age. She successfully auditioned for the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers and moved to Edmonton, Alberta, to start her journey with the company. She has danced with Shumka for the past 10 years and has been lucky to be part of many shows and opportunities and gain a wealth of knowledge and training. Some of her favourite memories are being a guest performer in Nutcrackers for both Goh Ballet, Vancouver and Alberta Ballet.

Caitlin has travelled to Ukraine twice and participated in many dance workshops and also trained with Virsky for part of the summer in 2019. She is trained in character and classical ballet and certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. Caitlin is on the Executive Board for Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association and is also the current Artistic Director of the Vilna Veselka Ukrainian Dancers.

Caitlin is the new Artistic Director of the Dunai Ukrainian Dancers and is excited to be part of the Verkhovyna Ensemble instructional team and share her love and passion for Ukrainian Dance.

PAST TOURS:

2019 - Georgia & Ukraine

2014 - Argentina & Brazil

2009 - Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland, Bosnia, Hungary, Austria)

2004 - Costa Rica

1999 - Brazil  

1994 - USA