Oleksandra Morieva: I opened a dance course so that Ukrainian women would have a place of strength in migration

Oleksandra Morieva is a successful brand manager and choreographer who, despite drastic changes in her life after the start of the full-scale war of russia against Ukraine, found strength and opened her own dance course abroad. After a year of migration, the woman started her own Lady Dance course to help Ukrainian women overcome stress through dance. Oleksandra teaches mixed dance styles: heels, jazz funk, twerk. Oleksandra told Drive Music Media about the path from scratch, her own course and the complexity of such dance styles.

Interviewer: You created your own Lady Dance course in Hamburg. When did the doors of your course open for students and how did the idea to create something of your own arise?

Oleksandra: I went to a Zumba class at a German gym. During the lessons, I realized that the trainer danced worse than I did, and on the second lesson, the trainer asked me if I practiced dancing. I've been dancing since I was 14, so she said to try to get my Zumba teaching license. This became a sign for me. I realized that I could go another way. So, I went and got my Zumba license.

Interviewer: What are the main work principles and goals you have in teaching people to dance? Why did you choose these styles?

Oleksandra: I realized that there is a demand for exactly this style of dancing when I saw a post by one of the Ukrainian women on Facebook. Then I saw that one of the girls was opening such a course. I wanted too. I realized that this was missing when I saw the comments under these posts. People supported. Many people were interested in the sexual direction. Many people are now separated from their loved ones, and in principle, everyone needs energy. Women in migration lose their energy and need to get it somewhere, because they are all responsible for themselves or their children. A new country. I was sure it would help them.

Interviewer: How did your journey in the field of dance begin? When did you realize that you wanted to do this and why?

Oleksandra: I graduated from music school. I went there from the first grade until I was 14 years old. Then I realized that I can no longer sit 4 days a week in a music school and I want to dance. At the age of 14, I started trying different types of dances: hip-hop, oriental, Latin... I was looking for myself and I liked everything. When I was 17 I also went to Lady Dance. There were mixed dances: hip hop, jazz funk and even elements of twerk. Although at that time there was no separate direction of twerks. Then, at the age of 17, I realized that I would like to go to such dances where there are mixed species. I didn't want it to be boring. Therefore, when I decided to create my own course, I knew for sure that it would be Lady Dance.

Interviewer: How difficult is it to develop a business in Germany and what difficulties do you have to face on the way to success?

Oleksandra: Yes, it's hard enough. Here it is mandatory to register as a private entrepreneur and pay taxes. I am now acting as a trainer for the Feine Ukraine project. This is a charitable organization that helps Ukrainians. They have a sports project and in this sports project I can realize myself as a dance coach. I also work under contract with the administration of a small town near Hamburg. I signed a contract with a German school. I am paid hourly and I teach dances for them. Therefore, it is real. You just need to knock on all the doors and they will open. I just went and said that I want to teach dances for Ukrainians.

Interviewer: You once wrote on your page that "On foreign land, we are looking for our own" and added that you are already training our people abroad. How was it for you to start everything from scratch away from home?

Oleksandra: It was very difficult. I just mourned my past life for a year. Everything was different for me. I was a brand manager for a large educational company and I had it all. I had a flexible schedule, my children had a nanny, a cool kindergarten, I had everything at my side. I planned everything in my life. I had everything. And when it all changes in one moment, I lose it — it was very difficult. I came and didn't know anything, you are nobody here. You have to rebuild your whole life. It was difficult for me to go through everything alone with children without a husband.

Interviewer: High heels, twerk — sexy dance styles. How do you help women get out of their comfort zone and did you encounter stereotypes about this type of dance during your choreographic activity? If so, with which ones?

Oleksandra: Because sexuality is about energy. It helps to love yourself and the universe. It's not about sexy dances for men - it's about sexuality for yourself. To love yourself, accept yourself and see how perfect she is. It's not even about sex, it's the energy of creativity, life.  I felt that women should create. Every woman has her own version of creativity: painting, writing books... my kind is dancing. Dances and music.

Interviewer: In addition to high heels and twerk, you dance in the style of jazz funk. Tell us more about this style, why did you choose it for training? What is special about this dance?

Oleksandra: Jazz funk is now a popular modern style and is used in many music videos. And it is not bad to dance on heels.

Interviewer: Tell us about the training itself: how is the preparation and the training process itself? What can those who would like to join the student list expect?

Oleksandra:  I watch foreign dancers, choose elements that I like. From various elements that I liked, I put a choreography to the music that I like. I add my moose. I practice it at home. When we come to the hall, we first warm up intensively. It is very important to have a good stretch. Then we begin to study the choreography in parts. We practice one dance for 5-6 lessons, an then shoot a video.

Interviewer: How difficult are the dances of these styles? What is the difficulty?

Oleksandra: All dances in heels automatically become more difficult than in sneakers. When you are on heels, you need to keep your balance. You also need to watch your posture. Movements in sneakers and movements in heels are very different. You have to adapt for such dances.

Interviewer: Share your plans for the future and what would you advise those who want to do their favorite business abroad, but are afraid?

Oleksandra: I wish I had more groups. Open a dance school. I want different types of dances, both for adults and for children. In Germany, people go to dance lessons once a week, both adults and children. Our people are used to dancing professionally, so once a week is not enough for them. Don't be afraid to knock on all the doors. They will open for you. That's how we found the Feine Ukraine project. So I was able to. I also communicated with the local self-government and they immediately noticed my success.

Photographer Natali Agryzkova