Kashtan has been an active part of Cleveland, Ohio's cultural scene for over three decades, performing at concerts and festivals throughout Ohio, other parts of the Midwest and East Coast of the United States, as well as Canada. The wonderful repertoire and energetic style of "Kashtan" make the ensemble a favorite among audiences everywhere. Promoting a rich Ukrainian dance heritage, "Kashtan" has done much to popularize folk dance.
Throughout the years, the success of "Kashtan" has been reflected in talented students who have become professional dancers and instructors in the most renowned companies in America and abroad. Kashtan continues to move into the future, preserving the soul of Ukraine through the beauty of Ukrainian folk dance.
History
As the first organization formed under the auspices of UVKA, the Ukrainian Dance School "Kashtan" began its activities in 1979 under the leadership of Markiyan Komichak and assistant David Voznyak. The first class of "Kashtan," consisting of 60 students, entered the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Intercession on December 19, 1979, and thanks to the diligent work of teachers and students, dedication and generosity of the community, as well as a bit of imagination, the school doubled its number of students within two years of its founding. As the school grew and students became more experienced, the Ukrainian community of Cleveland quickly began to see "Kashtan" not only as a school but also as a stage-performing ensemble. Soon, "Kashtan" danced at church services, community picnics, and Ukrainian festivals in Cleveland. The reputation of Kashtan also began to extend to neighboring cities, with performances in Chicago, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.
For many years, "Kashtan" performed at the Congress of Oppressed Nations in Washington for former President Ronald Reagan, at the "Verehova" festival in New York, at the "Garden State" festival in New Jersey, at the "Sunflower" festival in Detroit, at the Ukrainian folklore festival in Pittsburgh, and at the International Folklore Festival in Lviv, where the ensemble won the Grand Prix of the festival—the highest award given to a Ukrainian dance collective from abroad. Recently, "Kashtan" had the honor of performing at the Ukrainian Bloor West Village Festival in Toronto, the largest Ukrainian street festival in North America. Overall, "Kashtan" has been an active part of the Ukrainian dance scene in Cleveland and beyond for over three decades.
Over the years, the success of "Kashtan" has been evidenced by many talented students who later became professional dancers and instructors in the most renowned companies in America and abroad. The wonderful repertoire and energetic style of the group make "Kashtan" a favorite among audiences worldwide.
For many years, "Kashtan" operated under the artistic leadership of founder Markiyan Komichak, as well as artistic directors David Voznyak, James Basso, Yuriy Kozii, Victoria Kilyarska, and Diana Prodan.
Currently, under the leadership of Artistic Director Jonathan Heynal and assistant director Andrea Komichak Murak, Kashtan continues to move forward into the future, preserving the soul of Ukraine through the beauty of Ukrainian folk dance.
