IN THE SPACE WITH… ALYONA ANTYPENKO FROM DASH DANCE

At the core of Old Diorama’s charitable purpose is providing space and opportunities for local and creative communities — and in so doing, we are fortunate to meet fascinating people doing inspiring things. This is the latest in a series of interviews with some of the creative people we support at ODAC through Camden Collabs — our network of community-focused groups, charities and projects who call the centre home.

This time, we spoke with Alyona Antypenko, a professional dancer and choreographer originally from Ukraine, who runs Dash Dance, a weekly dance group for Ukrainian children.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Alyona. I’m a professional dancer and choreographer. In the past, I performed in ballets, musicals, and various shows. I studied at a dance college. I have a Master’s degree in Teaching and Education. I’m originally from Ukraine and spent over 10 years living and working in Kyiv.

When the war started in Ukraine in 2022, I had to leave my home. After some time, I came to the UK and settled in London.

At first, I wasn’t sure how to continue my work with dance here. But dance has always been my passion — not just performing, but also teaching. Before moving, I had my own children’s dance studio in Kyiv. It was my heart and soul. We built a strong team, took part in competitions, and won awards.

How did Dash Dance start?

Dash Dance began when I helped organise a Christmas celebration for Ukrainian children in London, with the support of local volunteers. After that, I realised how much I missed teaching — and how much children here needed community and creativity. Many of them had lost their usual routines, hobbies, and friends due to the war.

HealthProm connected us with ODAC and with their support, I started a small dance group for Ukrainian children. We rehearse at ODAC and performed at the Regent’s Roots Festival.

Now the group has grown a lot, and two years later, Dash Dance is a space where children not only dance, but make friends, support each other, and feel part of a community again.

What changes have you noticed in the lives of those taking part in Dash Dance?
Dancing helps our children feel more confident, healthier, and happier. It’s not just about the movement — it’s about connection, healing, and joy. After classes, I often see the teenagers continue dancing and laughing outside. Many friendships have started here.

Dash Dance has grown from working with young people to welcoming adults too. What sparked that change, and what difference has it made?

We’ve also started a group for Ukrainian women. For many of them, adjusting to life in a new country has been hard — new language, new jobs, raising children. Dance classes became a real source of joy and emotional support. We’ve even performed together at community events, and it’s so moving to see how much it means to them.

Dash Dance’s next stop is Barcelona (23rd - 25th May 2025) — what’s taking you there, and what will it be part of?

This will be our second year joining a charity festival “Berehunya Vyshyvanka” in Barcelona. It’s dedicated to celebrating Ukrainian culture and supporting children affected by the war. The festival is organised with the support of the Ukrainian Association and the Ukrainian School in Barcelona, as well as the local city authorities.

Last year, over €9,000 was raised to help rebuild a school in Ukraine. It’s also a chance for Ukrainian groups from around Europe to come together, share culture, and support each other. The children love it — it’s both fun and meaningful.

What are your hopes for the future of Dash Dance?

I hope Dash Dance continues to grow. My dream has always been to open a proper dance school — a space where people of different ages and backgrounds can learn, grow, and express themselves through dance. Right now, Dash Dance is still developing, but step by step, I believe it can become something bigger — a creative platform that brings people together and supports them through movement and community.

ODAC is proud to support Dash Dance as part of a wider community of groups supporting Ukrainians in London. Do you have any thoughts or feedback for us - or anything you’d like to see us do more of?

ODAC has played a major role in the growth of Dash Dance. We are deeply grateful to the whole team for their support and for welcoming us from the very beginning. They didn’t just give us a space — they offered a warm, well-equipped environment with a kind and responsive staff. It’s a place where both children and adults feel comfortable.

You can turn to ODAC with any question — they are always ready to help, give advice, and find solutions. Thanks to their support, we’ve been able to run regular classes and also perform. They’ve invited us to take part in their own events, like the summer festival, and they also help us find other venues and opportunities where our children can dance. Their support is truly the foundation of everything we do.

Thank you to Alyona for taking the time to share her story. We’re proud to support Dash Dance - and wish the whole group the very best for their upcoming performances in Barcelona!

The photos on this page are from Dash Dance’s performance at Regent’s Roots 2024, taken by Alice Horsley and Zbigniew Kotkiewicz. This year’s festival takes place on the 2nd August — at the time of writing, the programme hasn’t been announced, but we’re hoping to see Dash Dance return to our stage!