Alona Ogol’s love for dance began when she was a child. From the age of six, she studied at a dance studio, where she took her first steps in choreography. While still in school, Alona began working with children: she formed her own groups, took on part-time work at another dance school after classes, and gradually began to establish her own studio.
While working at the Cultural Center, she founded her own dance studio, “Ovation,” which became a place of creativity, growth, and first major victories for many children.
Alona’s story is featured in the publication “Tribun.”
Together with her students, she participated in nationwide competitions and festivals. The group regularly won prizes, returning home with new victories and experiences. Organizing creative events became another important focus of her work. Alona held recitals and also organized her first dance competition, the Hard Dance Show.
After the full-scale war began, Alona was forced to leave her hometown and move to Kyiv, where her creative life in the capital began.
The idea for large-scale creative projects first came to Alona while she was still working in Sloviansk. She had long dreamed of inviting well-known artists—those recognized and respected in the creative community—to serve on the judging panel. However, it was difficult to bring this idea to life back then—not everyone was willing to travel there. After moving to Kyiv, the opportunities became much more numerous.
Today, she produces dance projects, invites well-known artists to collaborate with her, and the winners of her championships share the stage with professional stars.
Despite her new life in the capital, the Donetsk region remains an integral part of Alona.
“For me, the Donetsk region will always be much more than just my birthplace. It is my family, my soul, my roots,” says Alona. That is why one of her first major projects after moving to Kyiv was the “Donbas Cup” festival. Alona notes that for her, it was not just a creative competition, but a symbolic gesture. In this way, she wanted to show that the Donetsk region is alive, creating, and continues to make its voice heard.
“My mission is not just to remember Sloviansk, but to talk about the Donetsk region through creativity, through children, through performances and projects. To show all of Ukraine that the Donetsk region is not just news or geography. It is a land of bright, strong, kind, and very talented people,” Alona shares.
The Ukrainian people are hardworking and indomitable!
Together toward Victory!