Founder - Marie Nychka

The founder of the Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble was Marie Nychka. She owned and operated “Tavria”. Along with the ensemble, Marie owned and operated her own dance school known as the Boyan School of Dance. In the beginning an operational board was elected for Tavria and a constitution adopted along with the group being registered as a non-profit society. The Tavria organization of dancers and parents looked after all aspects of the group. 

When Marie moved away from Regina in 1990, the board of directors of Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble Inc. purchased all rights and assets of the Boyan School of Dance from Marie and renamed it the Tavria School of Ukrainian Dance. The school is now part of the Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble Inc. 

As the school enrolment grew, changes were made to the organization's operation, so that now all parents of dancers, either in the Ensemble or in the school, as well as the ensemble's dancers, have voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting. All parents of dancers and ensemble members 18 years of age and over are eligible to be a member of the board of directors in accordance with Tavria’s bylaws.

Tavria has become one of the largest groups in Saskatchewan and has earned a solid reputation over the years. It is with teamwork and participation that Tavria has become what it is today.

Accomplishments

Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble Inc and has accomplished many things during its history. The ensemble has had the privilege to dance in Vancouver at Expo 86 and the PNE in Toronto. They have headlined on a Holland American cruise ship on their way to Alaska. They have also travel twice to the east coast provinces, their most recent being in the summer 2004 to perform at the festival by the sea in St John's New Brunswick to Charlottetown Festival in PEI in a joint show with a Polish group in Halifax Nova Scotia they have also performed in joint shows with other dance groups from Alberta. The ensemble's biggest achievements have been to travel to Ukraine in the summer of 1996, 2000, 2006 and 2011.

The Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble also participates in different functions throughout the Ukrainian community and the Regina Community. They have put on their own Stage production, the “Magic and Mystique of Ukraine”, a wonderful show put on at the Center of the Arts in Regina. Annual events include Mosaic, Kyiv Pavilion Rehearsal Night, Dragon Boat Races, Grey Cup 95, Saskatoon's “Ukraine Day in the Park”, Malanka and we're proud to be part of Ituna’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine, as well as the opening ceremonies of the 2005 Regina Canada Summer Games.

Throughout the dance year the Tavria School also has the honor to participate in different functions and perform throughout the Ukrainian community and the Regina Community. Such events include Mosaic, Kiev Pavilion Premier night, Mosaic, Senior Citizen Homes, Grey Cup Parade and Malanka. 

Tavria - Razom 2 Tour. This tour featured 4 of Western Canada's oldest and most exciting Ukrainian dance ensembles coming together in the spirit of togetherness, “Razom”. This tour also combined Tavria (Regina), Tryzub (Calgary),  Yevshan (Saskatoon) and Rusalka (Winnipeg) in “Pryvit” a welcome dance and “Hopak”, the  breathtaking closing dance, both choreographed by the famous Pavloo Virsky.