I have always loved to dance and find great joy and release there. As a young child I became involved in gymnastics and dance through family friends. My mother was a ballroom dance teacher and my father could also 'cut a rug.' Being the child of two parents of Ukrainian decent, I went to Ukrainian school in Vancouver and performed Ukrainian dances in festivals.
As a competitive gymnast I was lucky to have had dance training for many years with choreographer Debra Brown who was a great inspiration to me.
As a competitive gymnast I was lucky to have had dance training for many years with choreographer Debra Brown who was a great inspiration to me.
my mom and I, Vancouver 1974
dancing at the Fall Fare, Denman Island 1998
In 1996 I moved to Denman Island and shortly after met Bronwyn Simons, my first serious teacher of middle eastern dance. This was a time of transformation for me. During this time I studyied many different styles of middle eastern dance with Bronwyn and with visiting teachers; Lynette Harper, Rahma Haddad, among others. For seven years I danced with the 'Mellissae' dance company under the direction of Bronwyn Simons. 'The Mellissae' were a group of 8-11 women ranging in ages from 18-85 years of age. We performed modern interpretations of traditional dances. In 2000 I became pregnant, it was a magical time!
'Bar None' Courtenay B.C. 2000
Dancing my son Roman into the world!
photo by Brian Grogan
photo by Brian Grogan
In 2001 Bronwyn and I formed 'Amazon Dance' and over the following 3 years co-created 3 full length dance theatre productions (the later two in collaboration with dancer Anthea Browne) ; 'Anima Mundi' spirit of the world 2000-2001, 'Axis Mundi' the story of the witches in October 2003, and 'Prima Materia' dances to welcome Spring in March 2004.
photos below by Deanne Loubardeaus
photos below by Deanne Loubardeaus
Anima Mundi 2000
Cathy Stoyko and Edith Jacobs performing 'the Babushkas'
'Peace Dance' Anima Mundi 2000
Choreography Cathy Stoyko
Axis Mundi 2003, the Inquisition
choreography Cathy Stoyko, Anthea Browne and Bronwyn Simons
dancers above- Sheila Nopper, Ron Sakolsky, and Norah Johnston
'Animal Spirits' Axis Mundi 2003
choreography, masks and costumes Cathy Stoyko
dancers above- Annie-Rose Lessard and Cathy Stoyko
dancers above- Annie-Rose Lessard and Cathy Stoyko
Anthea Brown, from Prima Materia 2004
choreography Bronwyn Simons with the dancers
These shows explored women's stories ancient and new using a combination of modern and Middle Eastern dance, with theatrical lighting, projections, costumes, masks, poetry and ritual elements.
I created masks and designed many of the costumes for these productions.
I created masks and designed many of the costumes for these productions.
Prima Materia 2004, Old Church Theatre, Courtenay B.C.
Cathy Stoyko and Sharon Bayly 'The Coronation Ceremony'
Pregnant with my daughter Lilly!
Pregnant with my daughter Lilly!
Shortly after the birth of my daughter I began running the Abbey, an arts venue in Cumberland, in collaboration with Avigdor Shulmen. At the Abbey I presented world music concerts, cabaret productions, films, dance events and workshops. When my daughter was two, I began teaching dance, mixed media art and mask making classes and workshops.
the Abbey Arts Centre 2005, Cumberland B.C.
photo by Dwayne Rourke
Jesus Christ Super Star dancers, sing-a-long movie at the Abbey 2005
Giant puppet for Cumberland May Day celebration 2005
dancing with Anthea Browne, Nanaimo Infringing Dance Festival 2006
In Feb. 2007 I travelled to Rajashtan, India to study Odissi Indian classical dance and Rajasthani folk dance at the Shakti School of Dance. What a incredible 'dancefull' experience! While studying at the Shakti school I also had the opportunity to take workshops in; Persian, Tajik, Bhangra, and Flamenco/ Arabic fusion dances from visiting dancers. While in Rajasthan, I roomed at a small family run music school, the Saraswati Music School and in the evenings would study more dances there; light classical and bollywood dance.
Odissi dance with Guru Padma Cheran Dehury
Shakti School in the Old Rangjee Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan
photo by Anastasia Avuncumouk
Exploring new ways of moving, and playing with Margie Gillis at 'Dancing From the Inside Out'
Cortez Island, B.C. 2007
I continue to organize community music and dance events in the Comox Valley, see blog postings for info about upcoming events.
Painting the 'Grafitti Fence', Denman Island 2008
photo by Bronwyn Simons
photo by Sarah Kerr
Dancing at the Big Time Out music festival in Cumberland
I have had the honor of performing at the Big Time Out, a fabulous festival presented by Cumberland Village Works in 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011
Dancing with 'Anar', Helene Eriksen's Traditional Dance Theatre
Seattle training project 2009-2010
For the past 6 years I have been performing, studying, and teaching dances that follow the Romany Trail from; Rajastan, Turkey, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. I continue to practice Indian classical and folk dances and share these dances with my community. Since studying with Helene Eriksen my love of tradition dances has deepened, particularly for dances from central Asia. I am thrilled to once again be dancing with Helene Eriksen's Anar Dana 2011/12 training project in Seattle.
I am currently living and teaching in Cumberland B.C. at the Abbey Studio.
See classes and workshop page and check blog posting for info about upcoming class/workshop offerings.
I am currently living and teaching in Cumberland B.C. at the Abbey Studio.
teaching at Dance Away Mexico 2011
See classes and workshop page and check blog posting for info about upcoming class/workshop offerings.
