Update: Denys has won the contest!

If you’re watching this season of ‘So You Think You Can Dance Canada’, one of their competitors is a Ukrainian from Toronto:

Born in the Ukraine, Denys first started dancing ballroom at four–years-old. He moved to Toronto when he was 12, and by the time he was 14, he was back in Europe studying and training in Berlin. At 19, Denys was enrolled at the prestigious arts school, Juilliard in New York City. Upon graduation, Denys continued with a Masters Program in Dance Education at New York University.

You can watch his amazing audition that got him to the show:

Ukrainian born Denys Drozdyuk said it was a combination of hard work and good luck that helped him make it into the Top 22 of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Season 3. He is grateful for the opportunity to show Canada who he is and says the competition has already improved his overall outlook. "The competition thus far has taught me that no matter what the circumstances, I must always stay professional and dedicated to what I do. No matter how I feel, I still need to perform my job 110%."

Read the rest of his bio and follow him on Facebook

Update: A reader pointed out there’s a second Ukrainian dancer this season from Edmonton Jeff Mortensen:

Gymnastics became his mainstay until his aunt, who Jeff calls a “hardcore Ukrainian,” pushed him towards Ukrainian dance. From that point on, Jeff says “the rest was history.”

Jeff’s dedicated enthusiasm for Ukrainian dance has created some exciting opportunities and also a few additional stamps in his passport. Performing on several tours with the Ukrainian dance company Shumka has meant stops as far as China, and in 2007, Jeff signed a contract with the captivating circus/dance company Cirque du Soleil as one of the main character’s in the Beatles LOVE show in Las Vegas. 

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Jeff jokingly warns that Canadians can expect to be introduced to the worldly style of Ukrainian dance this season along with a few “tricks” of his own. “I also want everyone to know that I work hard, play hard, and am always willing to learn something new.”

Here is Jeff’s audition last year that highlights his Ukrainian heritage:

And here’s this year’s audition too!

You can also read the rest of Jeff’s bio and visit his Facebook page