Achieving success isn’t just about putting in the hours; it’s about pouring your heart into what you do, embodying that spirit every step of the way. This couldn’t be truer for Tetiana Korobka, whose journey in the realm of competitive dance reflects a profound commitment to her craft, her students, and the art itself.
Hailing from Ukraine, Tetiana is not just any dancer—she’s an iconic competitive dancer and the proud owner of Star Dance Studio. Here, she has established a vibrant hub for cultivating the next generation of performers, having earned an impressive collection of awards along the way. But what’s the secret sauce? Beyond the dance classes, it’s about motivation, passion, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace both success and failure—with love being the driving force behind it all.
“My students fall in love with dancing thanks to me,” she shares, a smile evident in her tone. “Many have pursued careers in choreography and are now inspiring others, just as I’ve inspired them.”
Recently, I had the chance to hear from Tetiana directly about her incredible journey, which sprouted from the nurturing soil of a creative family in Ukraine just before the country gained independence. I wanted to dive deep into the heart of what it truly takes to rise to the top in the competitive dance world.
So, Tetiana, how did it all kick off for you? When did you feel that dance was truly your calling?
From day one, I was enveloped in creativity. With a father who strummed a guitar and sang, and a mother who dazzled on the dance floor, my life was filled with rhythm and expression. My brother even tried his hand at ballroom dancing during his childhood, which further lit the spark for me. I discovered a natural rhythm and flexibility in myself at a young age.
Dancing was my first love, and one of my fondest memories is of performing in front of a huge audience, surrounded by other kids. I was surrounded by cheers and admiration, and I can’t recall a moment when I didn’t feel like I was destined to dance. It’s as if I’ve always been a dancer—it’s simply who I am.
You started your career young. Did you receive formal training? How was that journey for you?
Oh, absolutely! My dance journey kicked off when I was just five years old, thanks to my mother. She enrolled me in ballroom dancing lessons, while I eagerly soaked it all in for an entire year. But as new trends emerged, such as street dancing, I knew I wanted to explore more. At age six, I jumped into hip-hop and disco at the Viklen Dance Studio in Ternopil, and that’s when my passion reached new heights.
I joined a group there and embraced every opportunity to perform. We took part in tournaments and festivals, shining at nearly every cultural event that graced our city. Looking back, every performance was crucial in shaping my skills as a mentor to my own students. It taught me the ins and outs of what it takes to succeed during pivotal moments.
You also sprinkled in some aerobics during this time. Why was that important, especially with your already busy dance schedule?
I absolutely thrived in aerobics! At the age of 14, I dove into sports aerobics, eventually becoming the captain of my school’s team, followed by the university team. We explored various aerobics styles like funk, fitness, and even step aerobics.
Why did I do it? Pure love for the experience! It’s why I constantly stress to my students: you must adore what you’re doing. If you don’t find joy in your passion, then why bother?
Can you paint a picture of funk aerobics for me? I’m trying to imagine what that looks like.
Funk aerobics is this vibrant mix of street dance styles and traditional aerobics. One of my proudest moments came in April 2009 when I snagged third place at the Ukrainian Championship in fitness aerobics. Honestly, I’ve earned so many medals and awards over the years that keeping track has become a delightful challenge!
During this period, while I was a student at Ternopil National Economic University, I was also performing ballet and getting paid for my dance performances. This realization hit hard; I could support myself through my love for dance. I was just 18 at the time—and what a powerful moment that was.
When did the teaching journey begin for you?
That began during my third year at university back in 2010 when I was offered a teaching position at a local dance studio. By the time I turned 20, I was already coaching kids in styles like hip-hop, street jazz, and disco. Before long, I was teaching adults too. After about four years, I felt ready for more; that’s when I teamed up with a fellow choreographer to launch our own modern dance studio in Ternopil called Star Dance. Taking on this challenge invigorated me because I truly believe facing challenges head-on is crucial to success.
That sounds like quite the leap of faith.
Definitely! When we first launched, we didn’t even have a permanent location! We had to secure a space at a larger fitness center, and only three students showed up for our first class. But through relentless effort, we grew to twelve students by year-end, and our numbers kept climbing.
Persistence pays off. Change won’t occur overnight, but consistent hard work will yield results. A shining moment came when my students celebrated third place at the Ukrainian Open Championship in Kyiv in their very first year.
Considering Ukraine has a population of about 40 million—similar to Canada and Poland—you can appreciate how significant that accomplishment felt. We also maintained a presence in Ternopil, a city with around 215,000 residents, further boosting the visibility of Star Dance Studio.
I understand your reputation grew, and you started teaching in public schools too.
Absolutely! I began working as a choreography teacher in several secondary schools. The enthusiasm from the students was incredible. Every holiday, they showcased various dance genres—from hip-hop to tango, folk to contemporary.
At the end of each school year, I organized dance flash mobs that included nearly the entire student body. It’s all about creativity; keeping students engaged is key. Adjusting teaching methods and maintaining an interest in dance fosters growth and cultivates that all-important passion.
Balancing all this along with running the studio sounds demanding. How did you manage?
2016 was a pivotal year for me. We opened two branches of the Star Dance Studio in Ternopil, one I managed while a colleague oversaw the other. At the same time, I navigated personal changes—getting married and becoming pregnant meant I needed to focus on the studio. Yet, even with these shifts, we kept up a competitive spirit, going toe-to-toe at various championships here at home and abroad.
That year, my students achieved incredible milestones, taking first place in the junior category at the European Championship in Modern Dance Sport in Poland. Additionally, they garnered accolades for solo performances in various categories. By 2019, at the World Artistic Dance Federation Championship, my students placed second and third in team categories. One even claimed first place in the Urban Street Dance Solo Male Juveniles category, making him a World Champion represented by WADF, in addition to being a candidate for Master of Sports of Ukraine in dance.
All of this stemmed from rigorous training and the importance of setting clear goals. When you have a target, you have motivation—competitions kept us fully engaged.
I’ve heard you also took on the role of adjudicator for competitions.
Yes, indeed! In 2016, I was awarded a fourth category judge’s license by the UMDF dance organization, which is affiliated with the International Dance Organization IDO. Two years later, I achieved my highest category license from UFSA, representing WADF in Ukraine.
I’ve received feedback from event organizers who appreciated my judging ability. I even served as a guest judge at esteemed championships like Mega Dance Beat in Ternopil in 2021 and Dance Boom in Lviv that same year.
One last question—did I hear you correctly that you began organizing championships?
You heard right! In 2021, I helped organize the All Stars Championship in Ternopil, which drew around 1,000 participants from all over Ukraine. Dancers showcased a mesmerizing array of styles, including Street Dance genres like vogue, hip-hop, street jazz, dancehall, alongside Contemporary and Free Dance.
To judge and instruct are two sides of the same coin—they both require creating an environment where dancers push themselves to excel. It’s clear who invests their time and energy into their craft and who embraces the journey.
When dancers master that vital blend of passion, commitment, and joy in what they do, they often leave with awards and recognition in tow. After all, who doesn’t love witnessing genuine enthusiasm? It’s infectious—and that’s what makes this world of dance so beautifully alive.
