At just nineteen, Yeva-Mariia Skorenka is emerging as a rising star whose light reaches far beyond the ballet stage. Born in the town of Bucha, in Ukraine’s Kyiv region, Yeva-Mariia’s journey from the tender classrooms of Kyiv to the prestigious School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York tells a story of remarkable talent, perseverance, and soul.
From her earliest days, dance was more than an art for Yeva-Mariia—it was her native language. By the age of seven, she had already stepped onto her first stage in Kyiv, where she performed the doll variation from Coppélia and fell in love with the backstage smells, the warmth of the lights, and the silent conversation between dancer and audience. It was then she realized: ballet would not be just a part of her life—it could very well be her life.
Yeva-Mariia’s education is a tapestry woven from some of the world’s finest institutions. After completing ninth grade at Kyiv State Ballet School, she moved to Munich, Germany, where she studied at the Ballet Academy of the University of Music and Performing Arts from 2021 to 2023. Her European experience helped shape her discipline, artistic rigor, and broadened her cultural horizons.
In 2023, Yeva-Mariia was accepted into the School of American Ballet in New York—an opportunity many aspiring ballerinas only dream of. There, she immersed herself in the dynamic American ballet tradition, experiencing the distinctive rhythm of George Balanchine’s technique and the freedom of contemporary improvisation.
On stage, Yeva-Mariia shines with a unique blend of classical purity and modern expressiveness. She has danced works by masters like Balanchine, Wheeldon, and Petipa, performing at the renowned Vail Dance Festival, the David H. Koch Theater with SAB Workshop Performances, and even sharing her talent with audiences at the National Opera of Ukraine.
But Yeva-Mariia is not only a performer—she is a creator. Her original choreography, Hutsul’sky Tryptykh, celebrates her Ukrainian heritage. Drawing from traditional Hutsul dance and folklore, Yeva-Mariia translated the spirit of her homeland into a modern ballet language, crafting a deeply emotional homage to her roots.
In her own words, she describes ballet as both a meditation and a battlefield—a place where strength and tenderness must coexist. Her body, trained to near the extremes of human endurance, remains light, graceful, and often effortlessly magnetic to the audience’s eye.
Beyond technique, Yeva-Mariia’s greatest strength may be her emotional storytelling. Each movement she makes is imbued with memory, nostalgia, and unspoken dreams. Whether performing a classical pas de deux or an avant-garde solo, Yeva-Mariia invites viewers into her private world—a world where every plié, every arabesque, can tell a story of longing, resilience, and love.
Today, as she stands on the threshold of a professional career, Yeva-Mariia hopes for a future in American ballet, where her passion for Balanchine’s dynamic style might flourish. She also aspires to create her own dance company—an ensemble where classical and contemporary styles meet in harmony, inspiring new generations.
Despite her international success, Ukraine remains forever etched in Yeva-Mariia’s heart. She carries her homeland with her in every step, every leap, every spin. In her most private moments, when nostalgia becomes overwhelming, she dances—weaving memories of snowy Bucha mornings and long rides to Kyiv for rehearsals into her art.
Yeva-Mariia Skorenka represents a new generation of artists: bold, technically brilliant, emotionally raw, and deeply connected to their origins. Her story is not just about ballet—it is about identity, passion, and the unbreakable spirit of a young woman who continues to dance her way into the future.
As she gracefully builds her career on the world stage, Yeva-Mariia remains a symbol of light in turbulent times—a reminder that art, when born from authenticity and love, has the power to bridge continents, heal wounds, and ignite dreams.
Published by Jeremy S.
