“When I’m dancing, I don’t worry about the things that make me sad or stressed. I just lose myself in the music and the moves.” —Yeva Voronetska
BYU Dance Camps are among the oldest events supported by BYU Continuing Education. But what are they all about?
For over 40 years, BYU CE has partnered with faculty from the BYU Department of Dance to host summer dance camps. These camps allow children and youth ages 9–18 to come and experience the BYU dance program. Additionally, the camps enable BYU dance faculty to meet individuals from around the country and follow their progress, encouraging, coaching, and recruiting them over the years.
The camps last three to six days and consist of classes, social events, spiritual devotionals, and a closing banquet that features a final performance. “It’s really cool for these kids to perform on a BYU stage,” says Laurel Hornberger, BYU CE program administrator who has overseen BYU Dance Camps for 12 years. “They get to perform at a university with BYU faculty overseeing it and the tech team doing the lights and sound.”
While BYU Dance Camps are a great experience for everyone involved, 13-year-old Lidiia and 12-year-old Yeva Voronetska are sisters whose experience has been uniquely important to them.
Lidiia and Yeva grew up dancing ballroom in their home country of Ukraine. After their family came to the US as refugees of war, their lives were completely changed. Though they had very little money, the girls were able to join the BYU Youth Dancesport team through the program’s financial aid. For the young Voronetska sisters, dance became more than just a hobby; it was a touch of familiarity in an otherwise foreign land.
“Moving away was hard,” Yeva shared. “I left behind friends and familiar places. Sometimes I get sad thinking about them and wonder when I’ll see them again. But here, in this new country, through dancing, I’ve found a little piece of home. It’s like a bright spot in my life, helping me smile even when I miss Ukraine.”
Lidiia added, “Moving to a new country was a big change for me. I missed my home, my friends, and everything I knew. . . . [But] when I dance, I feel like I can do anything. It’s not just about the steps or the music; it’s about expressing myself and feeling free.”
In addition to improving their dance skills, these camps have provided the Voronetska sisters with a sense of belonging. Lidiia explains that the “most awesome part” was the friends she made. “We help each other with dance moves, share laughs, and just enjoy our time. . . . I don’t feel lonely here anymore,” she commented. “Having this new family of dancers and friends here means so much to me,” Yeva agreed. “They’re all super nice and always make me feel included.”
Both Lidiia and Yeva spoke little English when they arrived in the US. However, participating in BYU Youth Dancesport and developing these close friendships have helped them to learn English faster. Furthermore, they appreciate getting to meet other kids who go to church and have similar beliefs as they do, something that was rare back in Ukraine.
For Lidiia, Yeva, and so many more, BYU Dance Camps offer much more than just high-quality dance instruction. They are an opportunity to grow personally, create meaningful relationships, and have fun with people who share a passion for dance.
“Youth who come to the BYU Dance Camps get to learn from BYU faculty and students who are experts in their field, integrating the body, mind, and spirit of each child through choreography and performance,” Hornberger explains. “Many youth have expressed over the years that they come away with a new set of close friends of their same interests, and even more importantly, a feeling that Heavenly Father truly loves them.”