The Lehenda School Faculty

Melanie Moravski Dechnicz

Merited (Performing) Artist Of Ukraine | Заслужений Діяч Мистецтв України

Melanie is a Graduate of a Bachelor of Performing Arts, and trained with Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company, Ukraine’s most prestigious dance company in Kyiv. She has also trained under many renowned Ukrainian choreographers including Mykola Kanevets, Sergei Zubatov, Sergei Makarov and Valery Debelyy.

In 2009 Melanie was awarded and presented with the esteemed title - Merited (Performing) Artist of Ukraine by then Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

Melanie is the founder and Artistic Director of Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company, with whom she has produced three national and one international tour since its inception in 2014. Melanie is the Character teacher at the Australian Ballet School.

Melanie has taught at dance ensembles and schools nationally and internationally, including The Australian Ballet School Summer and Winter Schools, The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet and The Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Workshop in New York.

Previously the Artistic Director of Verchoyvna Ukrainian Youth Association Dance Ensemble from 2005-2013, and character lecturer at the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet / Melbourne Conservatoire of Ballet from 2012- 2021.

Melanie has choreographed many touring productions; most noted works are full length folk ballet ‘Kazka’, which received critical acclaim nationally and throughout North America and Canada, and ‘Legend, Stories of a Nation’.

To contact Melanie email melanie@lehenda.com.au

Alex Dechnicz

Performing Ukrainian Cossack dancing since the age of 3, taught by his grandmother, Australian Ukrainian Dance pioneer Natalia Tyrawski, Alex has been teaching Ukrainian Dance for over 15 years. Alex is one of the famous Cossack Brothers of Melbourne and has performed and toured with various Australian Ukrainian Dance Companies over the years. From the Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony, AFL Footy Show, Folklorama Festival (Canada) to countless festivals, weddings and corporate shows, Alex is a great asset to the team, inspiring boys of all ages with his experience and extensive range of solos.

Anna Lazarieva

Olena Toporchan