RICHARD WACKO, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR: MFA

Rick Wacko's early studies began at the Ukrainian National Federal School of Dance and continued at the Alberta Ballet School. He received private instruction with Maria Bokor at the Dance Art Academy, and has studied in Kiev, USSR, at the Virsky State Academy and at Les Ballets Russes de Montreal, where he performed with the Kalinka Ensemble. He has served as artistic director of the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. He is co–founder of the Edmonton School of Ukrainian Folk Dance.  In addition to giving master classes in character and classical folk dance, Rick has also been a guest choreographer for dance companies in Canada and the United States. Rick is the Artistic Director of the University of Utah - Character Dance Ensemble and assistant graduate advisor.  He recently published a CD ROM on Character Dance.

email: Richard Wacko