by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 10/97) - Youngsters bursting with energy, excitement and perhaps a little anxiety kicked up their heels for the Ladies Auxiliary Senior Citizen's dinner Sunday night.

It was the first performance of the year for the Aurora Ukrainian Dance Group.

"Speaking to one lady from the auxiliary, she said the seniors enjoyed the kids," according to Donna Marie Ouellette, one of the Ukrainian dance instructors.

"It was a good way to introduce them (students) to performing. If they haven't done it before."

To prepare the dance students for the dinner, the Yellowknife Ukrainian Association invited two professional choreographers from Edmonton to host a workshop.

Ouellette said Ken and Debbie Kachmar, a brother-and-sister duo with the Edmonton Vohon Dance Group, helped the children fine-tune their dance techniques and psych them up for the performance.

"They really helped us out this weekend," said Ouellette.

Many of 31 dancers between the ages of five and 12 in the Aurora group are in their first year. There are members, however, who can claim ballet and creative dance experience prior to Ukrainian dancing.

Not only did the children do the part on Sunday, they also looked it.

Performers with the group were dressed in traditional outfits. At the beginning of the dance season, instructors ordered the fabrics and designs, which the parents sewed themselves.

Moms and dad not so inclined with a needle and thread turned to Denise Chenier, the other dance instructor, and got her to make the Ukrainian garments.

The Ukrainian dance group is in its third year.

Both instructors credit their extensive Ukrainian dance to the experience of growing up in Ukrainian families.

"The choreography is just the two of us putting our heads together," said Ouellette.

The Ukrainian dancers will be performing again at the United Church at 11 a.m. this Sunday and they are scheduled to perform again at the Ukrainian New Year's Melanka on Jan. 17.