Instructors | school3

Our Dance Instructors

Jessie Balan

Jesse Balan developed a passion for Ukrainian dance at a young age, which led him to join the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in 2012. With Volya, he has performed internationally in the United Kingdom, Greece, Colombia, and Croatia, and was part of the ensemble’s 25th Anniversary production at the Jubilee Auditorium. He served on Volya’s Executive Board from 2013 to 2025, supporting the ensemble’s artistic and organizational growth.

Jesse began teaching at Koperoush in 2017 and now leads the school’s dance instruction. His lifelong dedication to the art form, combined with years of performance and leadership experience, makes him a respected and inspiring figure in the Ukrainian dance community.

Odessa Bahri

Odessa Bahri began dancing at age four, training in Ukrainian dance and ballet before expanding into jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and modern. A long-standing member of the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, she has performed internationally in Greece, Colombia, and Croatia, and currently serves as the ensemble’s Productions Director. In this role, she has led major events and fundraising initiatives while supporting the group’s artistic vision.

Odessa began teaching Ukrainian dance in 2015 and joined the Koperoush family over seven years ago. She brings a strong foundation in youth mentorship, performance, and event coordination—along with a genuine passion for community and culture.

Lisa Halldorson

Lisa's dance journey began with the Alberta Zirka Performers in Calmar. Her dedication to dance has spanned over 20 years, during which she transitioned to dancing with the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. With Volya Ensemble Lisa was fortunate enough to travel and perform for audiences across Europe, North and South America. Over the past 20 plus years Lisa has been dedicated to training in the art of Ukrainian dance through various workshops led by esteemed Ukrainian dance choreographers.

Lisa's love for Ukrainian Dance has been the driving force behind her desire to share her knowledge and skills with others. This passion led her to take on teaching roles with the Smokey Lake Holubka Dancers and later with the Myrnam & District Ukrainian Dance Group. Currently, she is co instructing with the Koperoush School of Ukrainian Dance, continuing to share her passion and expertise in Ukrainian dance with others.