DISCIPLINE. DEVOTION. CAMARADERIE.
Rusalka’s rich choreographic repertoire features dances from Ukraine's diverse regions, styles and moods to captivate any audience. World-renowned choreographers such as Anna and Vasyl Kanevets, from Kyiv, Roma Pryma-Bochachevsky and Roman Strockij of New York, Markian Komichak of Pittsburgh, Valery Debelly from Kyiv, as well as Olha Dvorovenko and Petro Nebrosky from the Veryovka Dance Ensemble, have all left their mark on Rusalka and its extensive collection of dances.
From its Winnipeg roots, Rusalka has expanded its horizon to reach out to an ever-widening audience. Major tours throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and Ukraine, and performances for heads of state and royalty, have placed Rusalka among the most widely recognized Ukrainian dance groups in the world.
Internationally, Rusalka has performed to rave reviews at the Festival Mundial del Folklore de Trujillo, winning best performance in both 2007 and in 2016. Other recent tours include New York (2014), Ukraine (2013), Scotland (2006). Past tours include: Ukraine (1979, 1992, 1997 and 2001) Australia (1990, 1995) Florida (1994), Italy (1982), England and Scotland (1973 and 1979), Mexico (1972). In 1979, Rusalka became the first Ukrainian Canadian dance ensemble to visit Ukraine and study under Veryovka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Kyiv. In 1982, its 20th anniversary year, Rusalka gave a command performance and was granted a private audience with His Holiness Pope John Paul II at his summer residence outside of Rome.
More recently, in 2009, Rusalka shared the stage in camaraderie with 90 dancers, pooling the talents of the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company (Edmonton, AB) and the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Calgary, AB). In 2014, Razom 2 reunited Tryzub and Rusalka, while also featuring Tavria Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Regina, SK) and Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble (Saskatoon, SK).