Meet the Team
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Mackenzie Friedenberg
Mackenzie is a Registered Nurse, currently working as a Clinical Resource Nurse at the Health Sciences Centre Women's Hospital, since graduating with her Bachelor of Nursing degree in September 2019. Residing in south Winnipeg, the majority of Mackenzie’s dancing was with the Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School where she was a student for 12 years. Growing up in Sopilka, she experienced the amazing development and evolution of the school, preparing her to become an instructor. This allowed her to work closely with the school’s director, Kristina Washchyshyn, where she gained instructional, technical and administrative experience. Mackenzie was also the Program Leader for the City of Winnipeg for 5 years, teaching and organizing the Kinder and Junior ballet programs at Pan Am Pool.
Along with Sopilka, Mackenzie has danced with the Selo Ukrainian Dancers in Anola, MB before finding her home at Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. She has ballet training from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, most recently completing the Adult Summer Ballet Program, as well as from the Shelley Shearer School of Dance in both ballet and jazz.
She has attended many Ukrainian dance and teaching workshops within Manitoba, as well as an intensive training camp in Edmonton with current and past Shumka dance members. She’s been fortunate to train under well-known and talented choreographers including Anna and Vasyl Kanevets, Serhij Koroliuk, Vincent Rees, Jenn and Paul Doroniuk, Johanna Chabluk, Kristina Washchyshyn as well as various others from across Canada and Ukraine. She's also had the opportunity to perform in a variety of festivals and competitions. These include Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, the Vegreville Ukrainian Pysanka Festival in Alberta and the Ukrainian Dance and the International Ukrainian Dance and Culture Festival in Lviv, Ukraine. She has also performed in Thompson, Manitoba as well as throughout Ukraine to study and perform alongside Troyanda.
Mackenzie has been the Artistic Director since September 2016 and has enjoyed watching the dancers grow and thrive. She is excited to see where Selkirk & District can continue to go in coming years.
BEGINNER B, JUNIOR, SENIOR, MIXED BOYS
Adam Boychuk
Adam grew up dancing with Selkirk & District, alongside his older sister and younger brother, before moving on to be an ensemble member of Troyanda where he has been dancing since 2012. He had the opportunity to travel to Ukraine with the group in August 2017 to perform in festivals and take part in workshops. He has been fortunate to train under talented choreographers from out of province including Anna and Vasyl Kanevets, Serhij Koroliuk and Vincent Rees. Through Ukrainian dance, Adam has been able to perform across Canada, the United States, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Ukraine, and most recently, as a guest performer in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
Adam graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology specializing in Athletic Therapy. He currently works for Canada Life as a Case Manager.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Shauna Chanas
Shauna has been dancing for over 35 years with Selkirk & District, Fialka, and Troyanda. She has a long history of teaching with the school and is always willing to help out wherever needed. She also has previously been a board member for many years and is a vital asset to the team.
Shauna is an 8th grade teacher at Ecole Edward Schreyer School in Beausejour and has a diploma in Special Education.
ADULTS
Art Chaszewski
Arthur’s passion for dance includes other types of dance including ballroom, Latin, and ballet. He has performed across North America, has performed on television a number of times, and was cast to dance in a television commercial as well as a musical production. In 1999, he was part of the Pan-Am Games opening and closing ceremonies.
Arthur also served a number of years on Troyanda's Board of Directors in various roles including four years as their President. He considers himself blessed to be part of the Selkirk & District family and is honoured to help others find their connections to Ukrainian dance.
Arthur has a science degree in chemistry from the University of Winnipeg and is now a Certified Financial Planner.
Arthur started Ukrainian Dance in 1982 in a small rural dance school called the Ivanka Dancers. He joined the Selkirk & District Ukrainian Dancers in 1988 and was one of the founding members of Fialka. In 1989, he also became a member of the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble where he was a dance member till 2003.
Arthur started teaching Ukrainian dance at a young age and has been a Ukrainian dance instructor for more than 25 dance seasons —17 with the Selkirk & District Ukrainian School of Dance alone, including 5 years as one of Fialka’s instructors.
BEGINNER B, JUNIOR, SENIOR, FIALKA, MIXED BOYS
Olivia Dubeski
Olivia began her dance career at Selkirk and District Ukrainian School of Dance at age seven, alongside her five-year-old brother, John. She continued through the school—eventually making her way up to Fialka, where she danced for five years. In 2009, Olivia auditioned for the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and danced for them for 15 years. Currently, Olivia dances with the Melos Folk Ensemble.
Over the years, she has danced under the Artistic Direction of Tom Mokry, Liana Stecky, Kristina Frykas, Andrew Chubey, Paul Doroniuk, and Jenn Doroniuk. Through Ukrainian dance, Olivia has been able to perform across Canada, the United States, Colombia, and Ukraine. Some of her most memorable performances include performing Trepak in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker and performing in the International Ukrainian Dance and Culture Festival in Lviv, Ukraine.
Olivia also has a passion for Gymnastics, and is a NCCP certified Gymnastics coach with over 15 years of experience.
In 2017, Olivia graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Conflict Resolution Studies. Since 2016, she has been employed by the Government of Manitoba and is currently the Assistant to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
ADULTS
Nancy Hlady
Professionally, Nancy has been working for PepsiCo Foods (FritoLay) for 23 years and is the Large Format District Sales Leader.
Nancy started dancing with Selkirk & District in 1981 where she remained until she joined Troyanda in 1994. She danced with Troyanda until 2004.
While dancing with Troyanda she had the opportunity to travel and perform including Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival, Disneyland, San Diego Ukrainian Festival and New Jersey Ukrainian Festival. She has travelled to Ukraine on tour with the group, performed as well as attended dance workshops. She also performed at an International Festival in Peru where they shared their Ukrainian culture with other National dance groups from around the world.
Nancy was an instructor at Selkirk and District for many years, where she enjoyed sharing Ukrainian culture with her students. When her career transferred her to Brandon, she continued to be involved with the Brandon Ukrainian Dance School as an assistant instructor. Once Nancy moved back to Winnipeg she joined Selkirk’s Adult Dance group where she is still involved with teaching and dancing.
BEGINNER A, INTERMEDIATE, SENIOR, FIALKA, MIXED BOYS
Elena Modrzejewski
Elena began dancing at the age of 5 at Selkirk & District. She grew up through the school, eventually auditioning for Fialka before auditioning and joining Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in 2013. She remained an active member there for 12 years and also spent time on their Board of Directors. She recently retired in August 2025, having her final performances on the stage at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin and the Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion.
Elena has a passion for dance and performing arts, having been trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop, tap and musical theatre. She has received ISTD ballet exams and recognition for performances as both a dancer (CNDC, Manitoba Dance Festival, 5,6,7,8 Dance Convention) and as a choreographer (CNDC, Manitoba Dance Festival, RFOTA).
She brings over 10 years of experience teaching dancers from preschool age through adulthood, and strives to share her passion for dancing with each class.
Elena’s love for musical theatre most recently gained her a spot again this past summer performing in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival; she had previously performed in the festival in 2023. She currently teaches at Selkirk Dance Association and Meraki Theatre Productions.