by Viva Wittman
Though born in Paris, Krystia always maintained a strong connection with her Ukrainian roots. From the age of 4-years-old, she performed Character Dance onstage with the Ukrainian community she was raised in. When Mme. Alexandra Kouklowska, came to Paris from the Kiev Opera to teach the youth, she established with young Krystia what would be a long and fruitful mentorship. “She shaped me with a Russian based technique in ballet and Character,” Krystia tells me, “I learned a lot from her; the two of us danced in many shows,” and when Kouklowska fell ill, Krystia took her place.
Krystia graduated from l’Académie Volinine (ESEC) with a diploma in classical ballet in 1969, all the while continuing to practice Character dance. By 1976, she was teaching Character at Centre de Danse du Marais and also at IPAC (Institut Pédagogique d’Arts Chorégraphiques) from which she chose her best students to form the first generation of her company Ballet Karlyk (Slavic and Gypsy Emotions). The first of many of Ballet Karlyk’s professional performances was in 1989; today, Ballet Karlyk benefits from its third generation of dancers.
“Character dance,” she says “is characteristic of a country, of an ethnic group.”
Krystia takes inspiration from her knowledge in Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, and Tzigane Gypsy dance in her choreography. “I keep the folkloric authenticity,” she says, “but I evolve it to adapt it to the stage. In Character dance, the style, the rhythm, and the spirit of the chosen music are very important. My teaching method is based on these elements that allow for progress. Expression comes with technique,” she adds; one must “develop personality and temperament. I hope to convey the Slavic soul: unique and profound.”
Krystia’s Character dance class is rich with culture, the movements rousing when paired with the lively music. I set up in a far corner to take photos because it is as if the students fly across the room and I don’t want to get in the way. Even if the movements are complicated, there is a spirit of joy that emanates from the dancers.