Alexandra Bodnarchuk Career Notes

GCU member Alexandra Bodnarchuk is a Carpatho-Rusyn American choreographer, born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She currently resides in Minneapolis, MN where she creates original works for the stage and screen. Her second evening length work, duet Rock, Paper, Scissors, premiered in March 2023 at the Southern Theater for a 3-night run. This work included Maria Mačošková’s rendition of Mamko Moja L’uba from the 2003 concert of Mačošková, Servická, and Sikorjakova. Members from the Rusin Association of Minneapolis were in attendance. Maria Silvestri of the John & Helen Timo Foundation lead the talk back the first evening.

Alexandra has twice been a Jerome Hill Artist Fellow Finalist (Jerome Foundation), and in 2021 was named an Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellow at Jacob’s Pillow. The Pillow is a world renowned center for dance in the Berkshires. During her fellowship she worked with acclaimed faculty and became a mentee of Andrea Miller/GALLIM dance. In May Alexandra spent 6 weeks in New York City with Miller as she prepared GALLIM for their spring season at the Joyce Theater. During this time Alexandra also served as a production assistant and was thrilled to read her name in the program at such an iconic theater.

Alexandra traveled directly from New York to Prešov, Slovakia to attend the Studium Carpatho-Ruthenorum at the University of Prešov. This was Alexandra’s third time in Slovakia; her first was with Slavjane Folk Ensemble’s European tour in 2005. As an alumnae of the group Alexandra grew up within Pittsburgh’s Carpatho-Rusyn community. She loved performing and learning the history of the songs and dances she was taught. Despite all this experience, having the opportunity to formally study the Carpatho-Rusyn language, culture, and history during the Studium was life changing for her. She connected with ethno-choreographers, costume makers, singers, linguists, etc. all of whom share a similar passion for the Carpatho-Rusyn culture. This was incredibly inspiring to her, and she is working towards realizing future collaborations with these artists.

Alexandra spent some additional time in Europe attending folk festivals in Vychodná and Ulič, climbing the High Tatras, visiting museums in Zakopane and Kraków, Poland, attending Impulstanz performances in Vienna, as well as spending time with family in Bratislava and Sečovce, Slovakia.
Alexandra was a recipient of the GCU National Scholarship in 2010. She is the daughter of Paul & Leslie (Begala) Bodnarchuk, who are members of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church, North Side-Pittsburgh. She is also a granddaughter of the late Michael & Marian (Arendas) Begala, long time members of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church, Wall, PA. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography, and a BA in French from Ohio University.

Leslie Bodnarchuk

Pictured Above: Alexandra at Predné Solisko in the High Tatras of Slovakia.