The Rusyny Folk Ensemble began October 2001 with Leslie Kurtak, of St. Melany's, and the groups leader, contacting Dean Poloka, an alumni from the University of Duquesne's Tamburitzans and choreographer of the Slavjane Dance Ensemble of Pittsburgh. Dean flew west to teach us dances and songs of the Rusyny culture which we have performed at many events, both public and private, in and around Arizona.
Rusyny, pronounced (Ru-syn-ah) - Folk Ensemble, sponsored by St. Melany's Byzantine Catholic Church is a group of juniors, ages 7 to 13, and seniors from the cities of Tucson and Mesa, Arizona devoted to the Rusyny culture.
The group has a standing invitation to perform at Tucson Meet Yourself and the magnificent group provides an outstanding performance.
Performances range from 30 minutes to just over an hour, with singing and dancing.
The songs, dances and costumes reflect the areas of Slovakia and Czech Republics, the Ukraine, Poland and Hungary.
Rusyny has performed at European Multi-ethnic Alliance of Tucson, Inc. (EMAT) events for several years now, as well as numerous other public and private functions. They have joined musical forces with Barvinok, who have played live music for their dances. |
