Austyn Kozun
Austyn grew up in Nipawin, SK and started dancing at the age of 4 with the Nipawin Veselii Dancers. He danced with Nipawin for 14 years until he graduated high school. In Nipawin, Austyn helped on the family farm and played many other sports such as hockey, baseball and volleyball to name a few. Once Austyn graduated he moved to Moose Jaw to peruse a career in the Electrical Engineering Technologist Program. At the same time he also auditioned for the Pavlychneko Folklorique Ensemble (PFE). Austyn started dancing with PFE in 2014. Driving back and forth from Moose Jaw and Saskatoon for school and dance practice showed his dedication to Ukrainian dance.
When Austyn graduated from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, he moved to Saskatoon to work for Saskatoon Light and Power full time. This gave him the opportunity to dance full time with PFE and begin to build lifelong friends and buy a house in Saskatoon. In 2017 he toured with PFE to Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary and Ukraine. Performing all over Saskatchewan with PFE brings Austyn joy and love for the Ukrainian community.
Austyn was given the opportunity to start teaching with Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club in 2018. Since then, he has never looked back. He loves teaching kids and having the opportunity to share Ukrainian culture with the younger generation. Austyn continues to dance with PFE and teach in Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Recently, Austyn returned from his second dance tour with PFE from Argentina and Brazil, Two Worlds One Soul Tour. Austyn is looking forward to his 6th year of teaching with Prince Albert Barveenok dancers.
Tawni Cherepuschak
Tawni Cherepuschak began dancing at nine years old with the Nipawin Veselii Dancers. Born and raised in Nipawin, SK, she was an active participant in the Ukrainian dance group, both as a participant and assistant instructor throughout the years. Prior to moving to Saskatoon in 2011, she also participated in both hip-hop and ballet through the Nipawin School of Dance.
In the fall of 2011, Tawni began performing with Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble under the artistic direction of Vitali Sorokotaguine. One of her most memorable experiences performing with Yevshan includes touring Ukraine in the summer of 2012.
In the fall of 2013, Tawni joined Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble and began performing under the artistic direction of Serhij Koroluik. Her most memorable performing experiences to date with PFE was headlining at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, MB in 2015 and touring Argentina and Brazil in the summer of 2022.
Tawni holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering as well as a Bachelor of Education and is currently a substitute teacher with the school divisions in and around Saskatoon. She is also certified in the Rodovid Beginner and Junior curriculums, as well as Shumka Syllabus of Ukrainian Dance Tiers 1 and 2, and has over 15 years of dance instruction experience.
Tawni is looking forward to continuing to share her love and passion for Ukrainian dance with the next generation of dancers in Prince Albert.
Natalya Schevchuk
Beginning her formal training at age four, Natalya began training in ballet, tap, jazz and Ukrainian dance in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. During her training she studied RAD ballet as well as CDTA tap. Ukrainian culture has always been a prominent part of the Shevchuk household, nurturing her love for dance. Following in her father’s footsteps, Natalya joined the Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble (PFE) in 2014, becoming a full cast member in 2017. When she was 16, Natalya travelled to Ukraine for the first time to participate in the Virsky Spring Training program. Those two weeks inspired her to take her training to the next level. After graduating high school in 2017, Natalya toured with PFE to Eastern Europe, with the highlight of performing at the Lviv Opera House. 12 days after returning to Canada, Natalya was back in Ukraine, but this time for 10 months on the inaugural Ukrainian Dance World’s dance immersion program. Here is where her love of everything Ukrainian was able to thrive. She was fortunate to train alongside professional ensembles such as Virsky Studio, Lviv College of Arts and Culture, the Bukovyna and Poltava State Ensembles, and the Volyn State Choir.
Since returning back to Canada, Natalya has continued to share her love of Ukrainian dance with the next generation, by teaching at various dance schools across the province. For the past several years, Natalya has also been an assistant instructor with Rodovid Academy of Ukrainian Dance allowing her to connect with the most passionate dancers and learn from fellow instructors, continuing her dance education. Her newest endeavour has been becoming the first Canadian ambassador for Postmark Ukraine.
Professionally, Natalya is studying at the University of Saskatchewan with the hopes of becoming a physiotherapist.
Sebastian Gardulski
Sebastian began his love for dancing at the age of 6 with the Vesnianka Academy of Ukrainian Dance in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Sebastian spent many summers attending dance camps during his younger years learning from guest instructors as well as learning a variety of new choreography, and regional dances. At the age of 17, Sebastian joined the Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble in 2010. It was in this ensemble Sebastian continued his instruction under Ballet Master Vitali Sorokotiaguine for the past 13 years. With Yevshan, Sebastian has had the opportunity to travel internationally 6 times, twice performing in Ukraine. After a 24 year dance career that has allowed him to grow and strengthen his love and connection to his Ukrainian roots, Sebastian has recently retired from dancing in order to further focus on completing his Masters degree in Political Science and beginning the next step in his professional life. However, with a previous 7.5 years of instructing dance, Sebastian is thrilled to be joining the Barveenok Family!
Sebastian Believes that Ukrainian dance is the best way for people to further appreciate and understand the traditions, the history and the strength of Ukraine and the people we share this beautiful culture with. By focusing on traditional regions and traditional stage choreography, Sebastian hopes to continue providing that cultural inspiration and connection to future generations so that they may one day do the same!