Kazka is the Ukrainian word for fairy tale. Inspired by fairy tales and stories through movement, veteran dance instructor Kristina Frykas opened boutique Kazka Dance Collective in 2019 to create a new dance and movement experience for people of all ages. Inspired to provide joy and meaningful connection through movement, Kazka is a new kind of dance community in Winnipeg.
Driven by artistic expression, all Kazka classes are centred on the joy of movement and the collective sense of community created through a shared dance experience.
With the desire to provide something unique in the dance community, Kristina and the team put together full scale productions with two opportunities to perform at the beautiful Desautels Concert Hall. Past productions have included: Peter and the Wolves, Little Red Ridinghood, The Little Mermaid, The Four Seasons and The Nutcracker. Join us for the 2025-2026 Season of Dance as we prepare for our version of Alice in Wonderland.
Kazka Dance Collective
Kristina Frykas LCSC, CICB
A graduate of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Teacher Training Program, Kristina Frykas holds her Licentiate teaching designation with the Cecchetti Society of Canada and Cecchetti International Classical Ballet.
Kristina was a senior member of the artistic staff at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Recreational School and the Professional School’s Teacher Training Program for nearly 20 years. As well as being a ballet teacher, Kristina is certified in both Progressing Ballet Technique and Pilates.
An advocate for the Manitoba dance community, Kristina is a former board member of Dance Manitoba and has acted as the Manitoba Representative to the Cecchetti Society of Canada.
Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School, a partner of Kazka Dance Collective, is led by Kristina as it’s artistic directer. Under her direction the school has been awarded top Ukrainian dance school by the Manitoba Ukrainian Dance Festival. Kristina has received multiple national awards for her choreography and was the recent recipient of the esteemed 2018-2019 Instructor of the Year Award presented by Ukrainian Dance World.
It is through these collective experiences Kristina found inspiration to create Kazka Dance Collective.
Our Team
Daria McKennitt
Daria has been teaching dance for six years and is passionate about dance education and the importance of movement skills for children and adults. She received a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Manitoba in 2023 and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology. Daria trained at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) for over a decade in various styles of dance including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and modern. She holds her Intermediate, Advance 1, and Advanced 2 Cecchetti ballet exam certifications. Daria spreads her love of dance by choreographing and teaching in multiple styles focusing on the enjoyment and exploration of movement.
Megan Hnatiuk
Megan Hnatiuk began Ukrainian dancing at the UNF School of Dance at the age of five before moving over to Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School where she has been for the last 16 years. Megan also trained at the Shelley Shearer School of Dance as a competitive dancer in the Invitational and Pre-Pro programs in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, and Pointe. Currently, Megan continues her Hip Hop and Ukrainian dance training as a member of Drop In Dance Winnipeg and the Troyanda Dance Ensemble.
During the past seven years Megan has had the opportunity to share her love of dance with others through teaching Ukrainian dance at Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School and Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Lyrical/Contemporary through Kazka Dance Collective. She is excited to continue to be part of such a wonderful team.
Megan’s love of dance has helped her appreciate the physical and mental benefits of training in multiple disciplines, as well as the importance of each individual’s unique role in group dances. She enjoys both performing and choreographing, and values the friendships she has built along the way. Megan is thrilled to be part of the Kazka team and deeply values the studio’s safe, inclusive environment for dancers of all ages, as well as the strong sense of community shared among teachers, students, and parents.
Dammecia Hall
Bio coming soon
Jonel Fabro
Jonel Fabro is a seasoned dancer with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in hip hop freestyle, he's dedicated to teaching foundational movements that empower dancers to express themselves authentically. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise, Jonel has helped countless students develop their unique style and flair.
Danika Burdeniuk
Danika Burdeniuk is a versatile performer and dance educator with extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre and vocal performance. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music Professional Vocal Program and received her dance training in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Recreational and Professional Divisions.
Danika’s professional theatre credits include Rainbow Stage (Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Shrek The Musical, Annie), Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Billy Elliot), and Royal Winnipeg Ballet (Romeo and Juliet, Princess and the Goblin, Nutcracker).
She is proficient in multiple syllabi, including ADAPT Jazz and Tap, Al Gilbert Tap, and Cecchetti Ballet. Danika’s teaching combines strong technique, expressive performance, and creativity, inspiring dancers to build confidence, artistry and a lifelong love of dance.