Our Talented Instructors
Tracey Belton
Tracey has been dancing since she was old enough to walk, but started Ukrainian dance in 1979 with the Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers of Prince George, BC. After she found out how much work she would have to do to make a costumer for her, Tracey's mother made her promise not to drop out. Tracey kept her promise and stayed in Ukrainian dance for the next 12 years. Tracey danced with the Zirka Ukrainian Dancers of Vernon, BC from 1981-1991. She competed at the Vegreville Pysanka Festival in 1988. As a member of Zirka, she performed at the Chermosh Ukrainian Dancer's Youth Festival in 1990 in Edmonton, AB. In 1989 and 1990 she attended the Altanets Ukrainian Dance Camps held by the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association. In 1990-1991 she taught the Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers of Kelowna, BC. Tracey took a break from Ukrainian dance between 1991 and 2001 and tried various other forms of dance such as ballroom dance, flamenco, ballet and Cape Breton style step dancing. Tracey took up Ukrainian dance again when she moved to Yellowknife in 2001. Tracey became one of our instructors in 2003.
Donna-Marie Ouellette
Donna-Marie began dancing in 1976 with the St. Joseph's School of Dance in Winnipeg, MB. In 1977 she moved with her family to Yellowknife and continued her dancing under the instruction of her mother, Elsie Marykuca. After taking an instructors course in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan she started instructing classes in 1986 for the Aurora Ukrainian Dance group. In 1986 Donna-Marie went to Vancouver, British Columbian and performed at Expo '86 in the NWT Pavilion. Donna-Marie took a short sabatical but is returning to the Aurora Ukrainian Dancers this year.