Just over thirty years ago, Lorraine Boitson recognized a need and set out to provide her young family with a Ukrainian cultural experience through the medium of dance — little did she know that she would plant a seed that would blossom into a vibrant bouquet, bringing enjoyment to hundreds of young dancers and their families.

Since 1986, Ukrainian dancers from all over south east Manitoba have travelled to Anola, Manitoba to embark on a journey rich in culture and lasting friendship — a journey which has become known as the Selo Ukrainian Dancers.

Lorraine approached Bonnie Shymko and Rod Picklyk about instructing the initial group of only nine dancers. As the director of our school, Lorraine (known to many as Pee Wee) filled the shoes of the seamstress, treasurer, fundraiser, and much more. Soon we grew in enrolment and a Board of dedicated parents was formed to operate our dance school.

After accepting this offer and over 30 years later, Selo continues to thrive under the artistic directorship of Rod, Bonnie, and their daughter Hannah, with enrolment at nearly 100 young performers.

We have continued to flourish in popularity in the community, around the province, across the country, and around the world! Whether it has been a show danced close to home or one across seas, we’re always thankful for the opportunity to share our love for Ukrainian culture and excited to entertain audiences.

Some of our notable shows have been performing at premier festivals across North America and Europe including on the grandstand of Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival (Dauphin, CA), at Soyuzivka’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival (New York, USA), at the House of Ukraine (San Diego, USA), at the Ukrainian Pysanka Festival (Vegreville, CA), at the International Ukrainian Dance Festival (Lviv, UA), and at the Capital Ukrainian Festival (Ottawa, CA).

In 2012, we were honoured to be commissioned to perform for His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk at a synod of over 40 bishops from all over the world. Bonnie and Rod choreographed a special suite depicting a family’s immigration from Ukraine to Canada for this prestigious function held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In 2021, the Selo Ukrainian Dancers are proudly celebrating their 35^th Anniversary. We thank those that have been a part of the past, those that are part of the present, and look forward to those that will be a part of the exciting future!

Bonnie and Rod have been instructing the Selo Ukrainian Dancers since the group’s inception in 1986. The group has blossomed from its humble beginnings with nine dancers, to a present day enrolment of nearly 100 performers!

Both began their life in Ukrainian dance taking lessons at the Ukrainian National Federation Hall in Winnipeg. They went on to perform with the Orlan Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, dancing at many events in Canada, the United States, and as well, a trip to East Asia.

Since starting the Ukrainian dance school, Bonnie and Rod have created many opportunities for the young dancers to share their love of Ukrainian culture both locally, and across the globe. Bonnie and Rod have travelled with Selo to festivals and cities around North America and overseas to many European countries, including Ukraine, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia and Italy. The duo places a lot of value in having the dancers perform locally, especially in front of family and friends. Selo has performed at numerous Ukrainian Dance Competitions, and as well, at a variety of events around Manitoba, including Folklorama (Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion), Cooks Creek Heritage Day, PolishFest, numerous Malanka celebrations, and several other community and family events.

In 2013, Bonnie and Rod were honoured to have been invited to be the Hospodar and Hospodania at the 25th Anniversary of the Veselka Ukrainian Festival in Teulon, Manitoba.

Bonnie and Rod take the opportunity, to share many aspects of the rich Ukrainian folklore with the dancers. Be it traditions, customs, language, rituals, music, costumes, instruments or geography the dancers experience a greater education, and a deeper understanding of their heritage, through the medium of dance.

Hannah’s passion for the Ukrainian culture began before she stepped into her own first Ukrainian dance rehearsal. Being born to parents who founded the Selo Ukrainian Dancers, and a family highly involved in the Ukrainian community, Hannah has been surrounded by her heritage as long as she can recall. She grew up dancing with Selo, which gave her the chance to perform nationally and internationally on numerous occasions. She also danced with Verba Ukrainian Dance Company, and continued on to Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, where she is currently a member.

Hannah spent a year living in Ukraine, training and performing with multiple professional dance ensembles, including P. Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble, the Bukovyna, Volyn and Poltava State Ensembles. She took classes at a variety of universities and colleges during her time, fulfilling practical and theoretical requirements to complete a diploma in Folk Dance at the Lviv College of Culture and Arts with focus on Lemkivshyna, Bukovynian and Carpathian culture.

Hannah feels fortunate to have been given opportunities to learn about the Ukrainian culture through dance and hopes to give back in the same way. Having taken particular interest in costuming and varying ethnography from region to region, Hannah works to provide cultural depth in her teaching. She’s always excited to share a story or tidbit of information and is continually looking to learn more.

Hannah’s passion and inspiration for the rich, Ukrainian culture stems largely from her parents, her grandparents, and those she was fortunate to cross paths with in Ukraine — balletmasters, dancers, and strangers on the street alike. She is excited to talk about her passion and experiences in her latest project, Vsi: the Ukrainian Dance and Culture Podcast.

Hannah enjoys dedicating herself to teaching and running the Selo Ukrainian Dancers, alongside her parents, and is proud the troupe is becoming known for their spirited performances and innovative, creative choreography!