Anyone will tell you that achieving success in any endeavor demands hard work and commitment. This statement rings true for Tetiana Korobka, whose approach to success has remained largely consistent.
A renowned competitive dancer from Ukraine, Tetiana has a collection of awards adorning her prestigious Star Dance Studio, where she has dedicated herself to cultivating a new generation of performers. Merely attending classes is not the sole contributor to success. So what else is essential? Motivation, fervor, inquisitiveness, a willingness to experiment, a readiness to face failure—and of course, love.
“My students fall in love with dancing thanks to me,” she expresses. “And many of them have pursued careers in choreography and are now teaching others.”
We recently had the opportunity to speak with Tetiana about her journey, which began organically within a supportive and talented family during the last year before Ukraine achieved independence. We aimed to gain insight into what it truly takes to become a champion.
### Tetiana, can you share how it all began? When did you first realize dancing was your calling?
I grew up in a remarkably creative family. My father’s a singer and guitarist, while my mother’s an exceptional dancer. My brother even dabbled in ballroom dancing as a child, so I suppose that inspired me as well. From a young age, I exhibited a natural sense of rhythm.
I was quite flexible and gifted when it came to dance. My love for it was undeniable. My earliest memory is of performing in a large hall, surrounded by children watching me. I honestly can’t recall a time when I wasn’t aware that I was a dancer. I have just always been one.
### So you embarked on your career quite early. Did you have any formal training? What was that experience like?
Absolutely. I began ballroom dancing at the age of five, thanks to my mother arranging lessons for me. I spent a year focusing on that. However, around that time, street dancing started gaining traction, and at six, I decided to explore styles like hip-hop and disco. That’s when my passion truly ignited—right at the Viklen Dance Studio in Ternopil.
I was part of a group there, and we participated in various tournaments and festivals. We showcased our talents at nearly every cultural event in our city, which significantly prepared me for mentoring my own students. I learned early on how to succeed in the moment.
### You also delved into aerobics during this period. Was that necessary, considering all the dancing you were already doing, or did it enhance your skills?
I excelled in it too! At age 14, I took up sports aerobics and became the captain of my school’s aerobics team. Eventually, I became captain of the university team as well. We explored various styles, including sports aerobics, funk aerobics, fitness aerobics, and step aerobics.
I engaged in aerobics out of sheer passion. That’s why I emphasize to my students the importance of loving what you do. If you don’t find joy in it, then what’s the point?
### Can you describe funk aerobics? I’m trying to visualize this.
Funk aerobics blends street dance styles with traditional aerobics. By the way, I secured third place at the Ukrainian Championship in fitness aerobics in April 2009. I’ve amassed so many accolades that it’s tough to keep track. Just at various all-Ukrainian tournaments from 2008 to 2011.
During that time, I was studying at Ternopil National Economic University. I also performed in ballet and received compensation for my dance work. This was a pivotal moment for me when I realized I could support myself through dance. I was just 18 at the time.
### When did you begin teaching?
That came during my third year of university in 2010 when I received an offer to work as a dance instructor at a local studio. By the time I turned 20, I was already coaching, teaching styles like hip-hop, street jazz, and disco to children.
I taught adults as well. After about four years, I realized I was ready for more. Partnering with another choreographer, we launched a modern dance studio in Ternopil called Star Dance. I genuinely enjoyed the challenge; I believe that embracing challenges is crucial to success.
### That sounds like a considerable risk.
Of course, it was! Initially, we didn’t even have our own space; we had to reserve time at a larger fitness facility. Only three students attended our first class. However, with hard work, we grew that number to 12 by the end of the year, and it continued to rise.
You must be persistent; keep putting in the effort to see the results. Change doesn’t occur overnight, but it will happen if you keep at it. For instance, in their first year of training, my students secured third place in the Ukrainian Open Championship in Kyiv.
Given that Ukraine has about 40 million residents—that’s roughly the population of Canada or Poland—you can imagine how extraordinary that achievement felt. We also kept performing throughout Ternopil, a significant city with approximately 215,000 inhabitants today. This visibility enhanced the appeal of Star Dance Studio.
### I understand you became more sought after as well, eventually teaching in public schools.
Indeed! I started working as a choreography teacher in four different secondary schools. The students’ responses were incredible; they were brimming with enthusiasm. During every holiday, my students would showcase various dance genres, from hip-hop to tango, folk to contemporary.
At the conclusion of each school year, I even organized dance flash mobs in every school, involving almost all the students. It’s essential to be inventive to keep students excited. I believe that adjusting approaches and maintaining interest in the art of dance fosters growth and allows one to rekindle their passion. Nurturing that love is vital.
### How did you manage all of this alongside your commitments at the studio?
A lot changed in 2016. We opened two branches of the Star Dance Studio in Ternopil. I continued overseeing one while a colleague managed the other. However, I also got married and became pregnant, so I decided to concentrate solely on the studio. Despite that shift, we kept competing at various championships both in Ukraine and overseas.
In October of that same year, my students claimed first place in the junior category at the European Championship in Modern Dance Sport in Poland.
Moreover, my students garnered individual accolades in solo performances across different age divisions. In 2019, they placed second and third in team categories at the World Artistic Dance Federation World Championship in Poland. One of my students won first place in the Urban Street Dance Solo Male Juveniles category, becoming a World Champion within the WADF organization, as well as a candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine in sports dance. Our achievements stemmed from rigorous training and setting clear objectives. When you have a goal, you have something to strive for. The competitions kept us motivated and pushing forward.
### I hear you also started adjudicating competitions.
Yes, that was another significant development in 2016. I obtained a fourth category judge’s license from the UMDF dance organization, which is the Ukrainian arm of the International Dance Organization IDO. Two years later, I earned my highest category license from UFSA, which represents WADF in Ukraine.
Organizers of events have praised my judging capabilities. I also served as a guest judge at championships such as Mega Dance Beat in Ternopil in 2021 and Dance Boom, which was held in Lviv in the same year.
### One last question—did I hear correctly that you began organizing championships?
Yes, indeed! In 2021, I played a role in organizing the All Stars Championship in Ternopil, which attracted around 1,000 attendees from all over Ukraine. Competitors showcased a variety of dance styles, including Street Dance, which covered genres such as vogue, hip-hop, street jazz, and dancehall, along with Contemporary and Free Dance.
Judging and instructing share similarities in that both require fostering an environment where dancers strive to excel. It becomes apparent who has put in the effort and who truly enjoys the process.
When contestants master that essential combination of hard work, passion, and love, they often leave with awards in hand. After all, who doesn’t appreciate someone bursting with enthusiasm for what they do? That enthusiasm is contagious.
