Imagine a country where Cossacks ride wildly across prairies and open land. Where the wind blows swiftly across fields that stretch for miles. Imagine a river flowing vigorously through mountainous terrain.
Think of a place where the Cossacks are fearless, carry swords, wear boots, belts, and hats...cowboy hats. Imagine...Cowboys and Cossacks? Look no further than Dallas, Texas. Texas, a state longer than the Dnipro river. Texas, where the summers are hotter than Baba's kitchen. Texas, home of ZORYA - Ukrainian Dance Ensemble.
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The idea of forming a Ukrainian dance group in Dallas was first conceived in 1975 by a member and friend of St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral. Chris V. Semos, a state representative, fellow Orthodox and close friend of the parish, was instrumental in the formulation of the Texas Folklife Festival and introduced it to church member Dr. Lou Antahades. Dr. Antahades investigated the Festival, and proposed that the church participate as a vendor to raise funds for the cathedral construction drive. At that time, to be a vendor at the Festival one had to present a performance group. Two church members, Alex and Val Bezney, were Ukrainian immigrants who had danced under the tutelage of Vasyl Avramenko, who is considered the "Father of Ukrainian Dance" in America. As there were many children and teens in the parish, the idea was formed to teach them Ukrainian dance, and thus was born the "St. Seraphim Russian Orthodox Dancers.". The 1976 bicentennial year was the group's Texas Folklife Festival debut in San Antonio, Texas. They were received with such enthusiasm that Alex and Val continued their work. Through the years the dance group has attracted many talented dancers, including those of Ukrainian as well as non-Ukrainian heritage. In fact, today less than 50% of the group is of Ukrainian descent. Dancers are involved because of their love and respect for the rich culture and heritage.
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In 1980, the group became known as the "Ukrainian Dancers of Dallas." This was the best way of emphasizing that the group was, and still is, the only Ukrainian dance group in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, and that it had become its own entity - separate from St. Seraphim's.
The name "ZORYA" was chosen by the group in 1995. Most Ukrainian dance groups in North America have a Ukrainian name which represents the spirit of the group and has a special meaning to the group members. The Ukrainian Dancers of Dallas chose "ZORYA" because it means "rising star," which is in honor of their great home state of Texas, the "Lone Star State." The group is now known as "ZORYA - Ukrainian Dance Ensemble".
ZORYA - Ukrainian Dance Ensemble has performed for such respected festivals as The State Fair of Texas, Ft. Worth Oktoberfest, and the Texas Folklife Festival. They have also performed as opening act for Yakov Smirnoff and the Kiev Boy's Choir - both at the internationally renowned Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center; the Melalucha National Convention, the Texas Educational Theatre Association, the Dallas Opera, as well as for numerous festivals and private functions.
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Following in the footsteps of Alex and Val Bezney, DeeDee Moroz Allen, Erica Nakonechnyj Dennis, and Tasia Antahades the current co-directors are Susie Reisser and Andrew Chobany. Susie has been a member of the dance group since 1986 and has held a directorial position since 1987. Andrew has held a directorial position with the group since 1986 and has danced with them since 1984. The charter of ZORYA - Ukrainian Dancers of Dallas is very simple: To educate the community about Ukrainian heritage in the best manner they possibly can - and that is through dance. Even though the majority of the dancers are not from Ukrainian backgrounds, there is a constant sense of respect for the heritage. It is as if they are an extended family striving for the same cause.
The group consists of approximately twenty senior members and ten junior members ranging in age from four to sixty two years old. Unlike many Ukrainian dance groups in Canada and the northeastern United States, most of the dancers have not grown up with Ukrainian dance. Some have ballet backgrounds, but the majority do not have any formal dance training. Love for Ukrainian dance is really what bonds the different members.
Each dance performance includes a mixture of traditional (Poltavskyi and Hutsulskyi) dance suites. These suites tell stories of Ukrainian history and typify the daily lifestyle. Traditional costumes are designed and sewn by the group. ZORYA - Ukrainian Dance Ensemble dance style and costumes represent geographic location, climatic conditions and spiritual and traditional beliefs of the various regions of Ukraine.
In addition, the group has added a regional flavor to their repertoire, with a salute to the state of Texas. The group's show typically begins with a dance they have aptly named "The Texan", which is also their welcome dance and is performed to a well-known western tune - "The Orange Blossom Special" - and is choreographed with a blend of traditional and nontraditional steps, thereby adding a Southwestern flair to a Ukrainian tradition. Here the vinoks (traditional female headgear consisting of a flower & ribbon wreath) are set aside for cowboy hats and bandannas. The cowboys of the old days in Texas were similar to the Cossacks of Ukraine, and ZORYA - Ukrainian Dance Ensemble have tied these two histories together through dance. This salute to Texas is always a crowd pleaser and one of the group's favorite dances.
Fortunately, with the demise of the Soviet Union and the reemergence of Ukraine as a democratic and independent country in 1991, Cossacks and Cowboys have truly become brothers.
1. Folklife Festival, San Antonio, TX 1980
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Westfest, West, TX 1998
3. International Bazaar, Dallas, TX 1985
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Folklife Festival, San Antonio, TX 1995
5. Folklife Festival, San Antonio, TX 1999
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Folklife Festival, San
Antonio, TX 1990
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Folklife Fsval, San Antonio, TX 1992
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Folklife Festival, San Antonio, TX 1986