An immersive training tradition for students and teachers keen to deepen their understanding of Ukrainian dance
DATES 4-11 July
Featuring classes for ALL ages
Lehenda Winter School
4-7 July 9 - 3pm | Last day 1-6pm includes a concert display at 5pm
For dancers 7-18 years
Virsky Forever Masterclass run by Maksym and Viktoriia Karapenko.
For dancers over 15 years
VENUE: Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance Level 1, 64 Sutton Street North Melbourne
Celebrate the spirit, strength, and beauty of Ukrainian dance at the Lehenda Winter Festival — an inspiring series of training events designed to ignite passion and elevate technique for dancers of all levels
At the heart of the festival is the Lehenda Winter School (4–7 July), an immersive four-day program for dancers aged 8–18 years. Running 9am–3pm daily (with the final day from 1–6pm), the school offers focused technique classes, ballet, Strength and Conditioning and repertoire in a supportive and energetic environment. The program culminates in a special concert display at 5pm on the final day, where participants showcase their hard work and artistry.
A highlight of this year’s festival, the Virsky Forever Masterclass will be led by distinguished Ukrainian artists Maksym and Viktoriia Karapenko. Designed for dancers aged 15 and over, this exclusive masterclass celebrates the powerful technique, athleticism, and expressive artistry made world-famous by the legendary Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company.
This is a rare opportunity to train in the authentic Virsky style with artists directly connected to Ukraine’s rich dance heritage — an unmissable experience for serious dancers ready to challenge and inspire themselves.
Tuition $600 - Registrations paid in full before 1st of April receive the early bird rate of $550 AUD.
To book for the Virsky Forever masterclass email virskyforeveraustralia@gmail.com
The Lehenda Winter Festival is more than a workshop series — it is a celebration of culture, community, and excellence in Ukrainian dance
Venue | Jason Colemans Ministry of Dance, North Melbourne
Costs
Winter School:
Early Bird (Register before JUNE 1): $400
Full Price: $450
25% discount to The Lehenda School Students. Speak to staff for discount code
Virsky Forever Workshop
Full Price: $600
Early Bird (Registrations paid in full before 14th of April): $550
To book for the Virsky Forever masterclass email virskyforeveraustralia@gmail.com
Images from previous winter schools over the years
2026 WINTER SCHOOL teachers
MELANIE MORAVSKI DECHNICZ
MERITED (PERFORMING) ARTIST OF UKRAINE
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’.
Eliza Mignot Bakay
Eliza is a current Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company dancer, having joined in 2019 and performed in multiple tours including Razom, Ukrainian Soul, Australian Soil and Kazka. She has trained in a wide variety of dance styles including ballet (RAD), jazz (SFD), tap (SFD) contemporary and character. Eliza has also completed a Bachelor of Arts minoring in Theatre, has performed in many musical theatre productions and was awarded the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria's Dancer's Award in 2014.
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 20 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 has performed lead roles in all of Lehenda’s national and international tours. Alex is a great asset to the team, inspiring boys of all ages with his experience and extensive range of Ukrainian boys technique.
Lauren Dzenick
Lauren Dzenick has spent over twenty-one years refining their artistry in Ukrainian dance, and several other disciplines. They began their journey in Ukrainian dance with a semi-professional Ukrainian dance company from 2016-2020 in Canada, and graduated to dancing professionally with The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers from 2020-2025. They have completed extensive training in several different styles, such as lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, and ballet, including the completion of their Royal Academy of Dance Advanced II exams. Lauren also has experience training under the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and Las Vegas. Lauren has a passion for creating art through movement, and finds powerful inspiration through working with the next generations of dancers.