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Dunai School of Ukrainian Dance Instructors
Natalia Iwaszko-Soto
With over 30 years of Ukrainian dance experience, Natalia Iwaszko-Soto’s very first dance lessons began at the formerly known “Verkhovyna School of Ukrainian Dance” and since then, The Verkhovyna Ensemble and CYM have been major parts of her life. Natalia was a member of the Dunai Ukrainian Dancers for 15 years where she performed and toured with the group across North and South America, Europe and Costa Rica. She also took part in the Verkhovyna Ensemble’s 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019 anniversary tours. In 2018, Natalia temporarily became part of the Dunai Artistic Team and co-directed “Generations” for the 2019 Georgia/Ukraine ensemble tour. In 2025, Natalia returned to the instructional team with the Dunai Ukrainian Dancers.
Natalia’s training in Ukrainian Dance has been influenced by a wide variety of local and international instructors. She also has training in the Shumka Dance Syllabus Academy, Tier 1 - Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance. Additionally, she has attended many Ukrainian dance workshops across the world and attends yearly training hosted by AUDA. Throughout her dance career, Natalia’s passion for the performing arts continues to grow and she has enjoyed experiencing many different types of dance. In the past, she enjoyed dancing many genres from Latin, hip hop, lyrical, jazz, and Ukrainian. From 2016-2018 Natalia competed in Latin dance, placing 2nd and 3rd in the Salsa small teams amateur and open divisions, at the World Salsa Summit in Miami, Florida.
Natalia began teaching at the Dunai School of Ukrainian Dance in 2009. She has had the pleasure of getting to know all the dancers in the school and has enjoyed seeing their progression and growth over the years. She has traveled with the school to many competitions and various dance performance venues including Disneyland in 2016 and 2018. In 2014 and 2015, she was recognized and nominated by her students for “Ukrainian Dance Instructor of the Year” by Ukrainian Dance World.
Natalia is always looking for new and innovative ways to make dance and choreography fun to all the students. She is very excited for the new dance season and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with returning and new students to the school. Her expertise and enthusiasm for dance are a great addition to the instructional team.
Loren Winnick
Loren Winnick has been instructing with the Dunai School of Ukrainian Dance since 2009. He has developed and mentored dancers of all ages over the past 17 years. He loves to watch each student grow and develop as dancers and as individuals. Loren has traveled with the dance school on numerous out of town school trips for competitions, various dance performances, and tours. In 2023, Loren started instructing the Dunai Ukrainian Dancers, and travelled with them on their tour of Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro in 2024. Previously he was a member of the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from 2009-2023 where he has performed in Turkey, Portugal, France, Great Britain, Greece, Colombia and Croatia. Preceding Volya, he danced for nine years with Kupalo Ukrainian Dance Ensemble where he performed throughout Canada, Western U.S.A., Ireland, Ukraine and Scotland. With over 30 years of Ukrainian dance experience, Loren is extremely excited to be back again to share his knowledge and passion of Ukrainian dance with his students.
Sydney Chanasyk
Sydney Chanasyk has been part of the Ukrainian dance community since the age of five, beginning her journey in Myrnam and later expanding her training to Innisfree. She has competed across Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin. She also had the opportunity to perform at multiple international festivals in Poland and Croatia this past summer. In 2025, she joined the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Edmonton, where she continues to challenge herself, develop her skills, and grow as a dancer.
Sydney began instructing in 2022 with the Myrnam Ukrainian Dance Club. After honing her craft, she also began instructing with the Chudovyi Ukrainian Dancers of Innisfree and Elk Point & District Ukrainian Dance Club. She continued to learn and broaden her expertise through Cecchetti ballet training, and AUDA workshops.
Through years of learning from a variety of instructors and choreographers, Sydney has developed her own teaching style and a passion for helping dancers grow both technically and culturally. She is excited to share her passion for Ukrainian dance and inspire the next generation of dancers at the Dunai School of Ukrainian Dance!
Jaxon Davidge
Since his first lessons with the then ‘Verkhovyna School of Ukrainian Dance’, Jaxon Davidge has been captivated by the grace and beauty of Ukrainian Dance. Jaxon trained in Ukrainian dance with the Dunai School of Ukrainian Dance for 10 years before joining Dunai Ukrainian Dancers where he still dances today. Over his 10 years in the dance school, Jaxon has travelled across Western Canada, performing at various cultural festivals and competitions.
Jaxon began instructing as a co teacher under Loren Winnick and Natalia Iwasko-Soto in 2024 and spent two years keenly learning from their expertise and incorporating their experience into his own unique teaching style. He has also pursued technical knowledge outside of his ensemble, attending various workshops and seminars through the Kozats’ka Sich and AUDA.
As a member of the Verkhovyna Ukrainian Song and Dance Ensemble’s executive committee, Jaxon enjoys a high level of community involvement. He is deeply invested in the ensemble and is excited to continue instructing and inspiring the next generation.
Anika Bacinski
With 20 years of dance experience, Anika Bacinski brings a diverse and well-rounded background to the instructional team. Starting at a young age, Anika has trained in tap, ballet, jazz, modern, and Ukrainian dance. Her foundational training includes studying with the Edmonton Catholic School Board’s Ukrainian Dance Academy, Shumka School, Veeteretz, the Edmonton School of Ballet, and Dance Alberta, as well as participating in Shumka summer dance camps. Her classical ballet background encompasses training in both Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti syllabi.
As a performer, Anika danced with the Verkhovyna School of Ukrainian Dance until the age of 17, participating in numerous tours across Alberta as well as a performance trip to Disneyland, including cruise ship performances. She subsequently transitioned to the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, who she performed at various events with and toured internationally to Portugal. In 2025, she joined the Dunai Ukrainian Dancers, where she continues to perform and share her passion for dance.
Beyond the studio, Anika is deeply rooted in the community and heavily involved with the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) at the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex. Having grown up attending weekly meetings, she now serves as a youth leader and has served on the executive board as Communications Director for four years. Additionally, she contributes to the Dance School community as the Public Relations Director on the Verkhovyna Ensemble Executive.
Anika is excited to begin her first year of instruction at the Dunai School of Ukrainian Dance. Her core approach to teaching focuses on promoting and enhancing Ukrainian culture while placing a strong emphasis on foundational technique. Drawing from her classical ballet background, her goal is to help every dancer advance their technical precision and skill. She looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm, energy, and love for dance with all the students in the upcoming season.
Nathan Fitch
Nathan Fitch grew up in Edmonton, Alberta and began dancing at the age of five with the St. Basils School of Ukrainian Dance. He later honed his dance skills with the Kupalo and Viter performing ensembles. Following high school, Nathan danced with the Volya Ukrainian dance ensemble and toured with the Vohon Ukrainian dance ensemble.
Nathan has a vast knowledge of Ukrainian dance and culture that he has acquired through his many years in the Ukrainian dance community in Alberta. He brings with him over twenty years of dancing experience and twenty one years of Ukrainian dance instruction experience.
Nathan has toured and performed globally representing Ukrainian dance in Scotland, Italy, Ukraine, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, California, Oregon, New York and nine provinces in Canada. Nathan has trained and taken workshops in Canada, the United States, Argentina, as well as in Ukraine.
Nathan has taught across Alberta and British Columbia over his career and continues to enjoy sharing his love of Ukrainian dance. Nathan has a strong emphasis on dance technique and promoting Ukrainian culture through the art of dance. He is excited to join the Dunai dance school this season.
Grace Bedard
Grace Bedard began her Ukrainian dance journey at a young age with the Cheremosh School of Dance. Over her 14 years of dancing, she trained and performed while developing an appreciation for Ukrainian dance, music, and culture. After taking a six-year break from dance, Grace found herself wanting to return to the passion that had been such an important part of her life growing up.
In 2025, Grace returned to Ukrainian dance, joining the Dunai Ukrainian Dancers. Since returning, Grace has enjoyed reconnecting with the Ukrainian dance community and developing her skills as a dancer. She looks for opportunities to further her training through workshops and learning from a variety of instructors and choreographers.
Grace is excited to continue her dance journey as an instructor with the Dunai School of Ukrainian Dance. She looks forward to sharing her love of Ukrainian dance with her students and helping them build their skills and confidence. Grace hopes to grow as both a dancer and instructor while inspiring the next generation of Ukrainian dancers.
Jenesah Hanke
Jenesah Hanke has been passionate about dance since the age of three, when she began her dance journey with Veeteretz School of Ukrainian Dance. From an early age, she developed a love for performing, teamwork, and sharing the joy of dancing with others. Alongside Ukrainian dance, Jenesah trained in ballet at Edmonton Dance Centre from the age of three through eighteen. During this time, she completed the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Grade 8, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced Foundation examinations, developing a strong technical foundation and appreciation for classical ballet. In addition to ballet and Ukrainian dance, Jenesah trained and competed in a variety of dance styles, including jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, and modern with Dance Theme. Her competitive experience has helped her become a versatile dancer with a well-rounded understanding of multiple dance genres. For the past 15 years, Jenesah has also had the privilege of teaching at Veeteretz School of Ukrainian Dance, where she has worked with dancers of various ages and skill levels. Throughout her teaching career, she has been passionate about creating engaging classes that encourage confidence, discipline, teamwork, and inspire a love of dance. Jenesah enjoys helping students develop strong technical skills while fostering creativity and self-expression in a positive and supportive environment. As an instructor, Jenesah believes that dance is about more than learning steps—it is about building confidence, developing lifelong friendships, and inspiring a passion for movement. Her patient, encouraging, and enthusiastic teaching style allows every dancer to feel welcomed, challenged, and supported as they work toward their individual goals. Jenesah is excited to continue sharing her knowledge, experience, and love of dance with the next generation of dancers. She looks forward to helping every student build confidence, develop new skills, and discover the joy of dance both inside and outside the studio.
