Suzirya Ukrainian Dance TheatreThe vision began in November 2004. A group of passionate professionally trained dancers came together to form the Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre. Suzirya, meaning a constellation of many stars, is founded on the eloquent fusion of ballet and traditional folk dance. The dancers of Suzirya train three times per week in this serious art form and are steadfast in their work ethic, dedicating themselves to perfecting their dance presentation.

Under Serguei Makarov’s direction, the company entertains audiences with countless choreographic compositions embodying the culture and spirit of Ukraine. Makarov, a ballet-master who hails from Kyiv Ukraine, strives to preserve and develop folk dance as a visual and dramatic art form. His choreographic genius, coupled with his rigorous and precise dance instruction, has him sought after worldwide.

Some of the recent highlights of Suzirya’s past performances have included performing for Her Majesty’s Royal Visit (May 2005), the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Stand Show (July 2005), Kimberley International Folk Festival, Kimberley, BC (September 2005 and 2006) and Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, Manitoba (August 2006). Suzirya also showcased their Constellation of Hope production, a joint production with the Nadiya Choreographic Ensemble of Edmonton in March 2006.

Suzirya is currently completing their new production, Kateryna, a folk-ballet opera. They will perform alongside the Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton in this unique and dynamic production. The story is inspired by the Taras Shevchenko poem and will be presented in Calgary, June 10, 2007 and in Edmonton June 29 and 30, 2007. Musical scores were written and produced in Ukraine by Serguei Makarov and Maestro Yevgene Dosenko. The Company is heading to Australia in March 2008 to tour this vibrant production in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Be sure to catch Suzirya’s magnificent combination of music, Ukrainian folk traditions, dazzling costumes, and skilled technical expertise in acrobatics, ballet, and folk dance. Their high quality and professional entertainment program will impress all audiences.

Serguei MAKAROV - Artistic Director - As Artistic Director of the Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre, Serguei Makarov’s artistic vision embodies the culture and spirit of Ukraine. Mr. Makarov strives to preserve and develop Ukrainian folk dance as a dramatic art form through the inspiration of Pavlo Virsky.

Mr. Makarov graduated from the prestigious Kharkiv Ballet School of Ukraine in 1970 and began a 17 year career as a male soloist with VIRSKY, the Ukrainian State Dance Company. In 1987, Mr. Makarov was awarded the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine, the highest possible award bestowed on any artist in the Country. For the past 17 years, he has been heavily sought after worldwide for his choreographic genius, rigorous and precise dance instruction, and as an artistic director. Numerous companies have flourished under his artistic direction such as; Hopak Ukrainian Dance Company of Kyiv, Ukraine; Tropak Ukrainian Dance Theatre of Vancouver, Canada and Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Calgary, Canada.

Mr. Makarov is one of the world’s leading exponents in Ukrainian folk-ballet and Vaganova ballet instruction. He has held Master classes in Vaganova ballet instruction for the Kyiv Ballet School, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth. He has also conducted advanced Ukrainian folk-ballet classes with some of the worlds finest Ukrainian dance companies, including Virsky, Shumka, Volya and Rusalka of Canada.

Now as Artistic Director of the Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre, Mr. Makarov continues his artistic excellence, representing Calgary’s premier Ukrainian dance ensemble on the international folk dance and arts scene.