The Kashtan Dance Ensemble has been an active part of the culture scene of Cleveland, Ohio, since 1979. For more than two decades, the ensemble has performed at concerts and festivals throughout Ohio and other parts of the Midwest and Eastern United States. Kashtan’s delightful repertoire and energetic style make the group a favorite among audiences everywhere. In addition to their many successful appearances in theaters and on television, Kashtan dancers performed for President Reagan in 1989. Shortly after that, the troupe traveled to Ukraine where they received an award at the Hromada Festival in Lviv, Ukraine. By working to promote Ukraine’s rich dance heritage, Kashtan has done much to advance the popularity of folk dance in this country.

Each dancer is trained at the Kashtan School of Ukrainian Dance, which is led by Markian Komichak and David Woznak.

In addition to artistic talent, Kashtan has also had the benefit of exceptional administrative leadership. During the past 25 years, each of Kashtan’s board presidents - Messrs. Zenon Holubec, Roman Liscynesky, Heinrich Steinhagen, Dick Russ, Cornel Osadsa, Francis Zappernick, Taras Szmagala and current president, Matthew Zappernick- have given of themselves to ensure the group’s success.

Over the years the testament to Kashtan's success has been realized through a number of talented students who went on to become professional dancers and instructors with some of the most renown companies in America and abroad. This preservation of the Ukrainian soul through dance has been Kashtan’s greatest success and is what drives the ensemble into the future.