Welcome to MRIYA Ukrainian Dance and Culture Education Society

Marta Kasha

Art Director, Dance Instructor

Marta has extensive experience in the field of dance. She completed her second higher education degree in Choreography. For over 20 years, she was a member of the Honored Folk Dance Ensemble "Mriya" in Lviv. Additionally, she worked for more than 8 years with the Honored Artist of Ukraine, Natalka Karpa, serving as the leader of her ensemble and choreographer. Marta is the founder of "Mriya" — a project that started in 2022 with a small group of children who began learning Ukrainian folk dances. What began as a small initiative has grown over time, with more and more children and adults joining to explore Ukrainian culture through dance. At "Mriya," children not only learn traditional movements but also develop endurance and expressiveness, conveying the beauty of our culture with every step.

Olga Stradomska

Dance Instructor Helper

Olga Troinikova is an active member of the ensemble and an assistant instructor. Her dance experience includes 9 years with the folk artistic ensemble "Kvity Ukrainy" and 1 year with the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Ensemble studio. She arrived in Canada in 2022 and has been part of "Mriya" since 2023. Olga is a dedicated enthusiast of Ukrainian folk dances, costumes, culture, and traditions. With a deep love for preserving and sharing Ukraine’s rich heritage, Olga has devoted their life to studying and performing traditional Ukrainian art forms. Her passion shines through in every intricate dance step and every embroidered detail of the costumes she carefully curate. Olga believes that Ukrainian folk dances are more than just performances—they are a living, breathing celebration of the nation’s history, resilience, and spirit. For Olga, preserving Ukrainian folk art is not just a hobby—it’s a mission to honor the past, celebrate the present, and ensure that future generations never lose touch with their roots.

Alina Karalupova

Dance Instructor Helper

Alina is a dedicated ensemble member and serves as an assistant instructor for the Beginners and Junior 1 groups in New Westminster. She also leads the Junior 2 group. With 11 years of dance experience across various styles and cultures, Alina brings knowledge and passion to her teaching. She became the first member of the Adult group and has been part of Mriya since creation in 2023. Her love for dance was inspired by her first coach at the National Ukrainian Dance Group “Usmishka Sontsya,” where she trained for 7 years. Alina is eager to share her passion for Ukrainian culture and dance, hoping to inspire others to embrace and fall in love with them as she once has.