The Story of an American and a Ukrainian Dancer
It was October of 2022 when I learned that Ukrainian dancer, Stanislav Havrylchenko had moved to Chicago on the United for Ukraine Program. What was this program? I heard from a very prominent figure that our dance industry was about to change. What did this mean for dancing in the United States?
Havrylchenko an established and extraordinary dancer had been welcomed into our dance community and had just been hired by my very good friend Jaana. Her dance studio My Dance Hub is one of the top competitive studios in the United States with top level students. Havrylchenko had visited several studios and had explored options, but was interested in working in an establishment with high level dancers and that's what he found in My Dance Hub.
I had been performing and traveling internationally for dance but could feel my current partner was moving on to a new chapter of his life. This would leave me with no partner for the 2023 season. I had asked if it was possible to train with Stanislav in the meantime. I knew it would take time for him to build a client base and he was a top level World Latin Semi Finalist. As time went on I started adding more and more. We started training weekly. More opportunities presented themselves and we danced in showcases, festivals, events, fundraisers, and international competitions. In the last 2 years we have danced in 30 events.
Havrylchenko's family members came with him to the United States. Navigating the United State immigration policies is very complex and during his time here he has consulted with immigration attorneys to explore options. Changing status is a must but some of these options are very expensive and seem unobtainable without a lot of money.
During this 2 year period Stanislav had adjusted his status from the United for Ukraine program over to TPS. Temporary Protective Status allowed Stanislav to travel through its Advanced Parole status. This gave him the permission to re-enter the United States. So we booked a few competitions and we traveled to Capri Italy and Warsaw Poland for competitions in 2024.
Our 2025 plans included traveling to the UK and to Poland the first week of March. Those plans came to an end when the new administration took over. Although we have proper documentation there are no guarantees that re-entry will be granted when coming back to the United States. You have no rights. I wasn't willing to take this chance and separate an entire family just to dance.
Whats next? Well sometimes in life its time for a change and this puts you in a place to move on to your next chapter. We will try and support Havrylchenko while we move him to an 0-1 Visa. We will work as a dance community to see which program make sense. His knowledge and accomplishments in our dance field 100% warrant those credentials.
Sometimes being a artist is subjective but his experience and knowledge of dance is far beyond us Americans. We just didn't have the exposure or the coaches like he did. Dancing since a young boy, Havyrlchenko became a competition organizer and judge in the Ukraine. We are excited about our future projects and this new journey as we prepare for the 0-1. He has been a true asset to our dance studio.
We recently had a article published is USA News
[NATIONWIDE - MARCH 12 2025] - Windy City Wedding Dance, a premier wedding dance studio and entertainment company, has announced a significant expansion of its services, including the addition of renowned Latin dance professional Stanislav Havrylchenko to their entertainment division. Known for their commitment to providing couples with unique and memorable first dance experiences, the studio has recently made strides in diversifying its offerings and growing its competitive dance team.
Founded by Jessica Mays, Windy City Wedding Dance is a woman-owned business that offers a distinctive approach to wedding dance lessons. The focus is not only on choreographing a beautiful first dance, but on creating a fun and memorable experience for couples. With the aim of fostering long-term dance skills, the studio’s method prioritizes relaxation and connection, allowing couples to shut off the world for an hour and focus on each other while learning dance moves that will last a lifetime.
In 2023, Windy City Wedding Dance set out to achieve two key goals: to develop a professional entertainment division for weddings and special events, and to grow its competitive dance team. Both objectives came to fruition in the form of a successful partnership with Ukrainian Dancer, Stanislav Havrylchenko, a Latin semi-finalist in the World Dance Championships. Stanislav, who boasts a wealth of international dance experience, has been instrumental in helping the studio achieve its goals.
With his expertise as the lead choreographer and performer, Windy City Wedding Dance was able to secure 23 performances in just over a year. The team has already performed five times in 2025, and Stanislav’s addition to the team has brought a new level of professionalism and skill to the company.
Wishful Blisses Ball produced by Wish Upon a Wedding at Morgan Manufacturing Photography Tim Tab Studios Jessica Mays Ukrainian Dancer Stanislav Havrylchenko
Jessica Mays, the owner of Windy City Wedding Dance, shared her enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Stanislav has been an incredible asset to our team. His international dance experience and talent elevate everything we do. He is not only a fantastic partner but also a dedicated colleague. I’m proud to have him leading our choreography and performances.” The growth of Windy City Wedding Dance has been marked by multiple prestigious awards in recent years.
In 2024, the studio was named one of the Top 100 Businesses in the USA by Yelp, a testament to their reputation for excellence. Additionally, Windy City Wedding Dance earned the titles of Top Studio and Top Teacher at the 2024 Windy City Open Dancesport Competition. The studio’s competitive dance team also achieved significant success at the La Notte De Estrella Dance Competition in Capri, Italy, where Stanislav and Jessica Mays secured 1st place in the Top Open Championship Latin category.
What sets Windy City Wedding Dance apart from other wedding dance studios is their immersive approach to wedding planning. While many dance studios offer wedding dance lessons, Windy City Wedding Dance is entirely dedicated to wedding dance services. The company works closely with wedding planners, venues, and the broader wedding community to ensure that each couple receives personalized attention and a truly special experience.
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Austrian Ball produced by Bright Light Events & Entertainment at Drake Hotel Gold Coast Ballroom
Havrylchenko spends his days and nights contributing to the Chicago Dance community teaching high level competitive students at My Dance Hub in Oak Brook Illinois and also at UK Dance Studio in Rolling Meadows Illinois. Looking ahead, Windy City Wedding Dance plans to continue expanding its services, including the development of their entertainment division. By providing live performances for weddings, corporate events, festivals, and parties, they aim to offer an all-encompassing service to clients seeking high-quality dance entertainment.
As uncertainty looms in the Ukrainian Dancer community, Kate Chappell from NBC News made a visit to our studio to interview Ukrainian dancer Havrylchenko about his dance accomplishments and his current immigration status. It was a beautiful interview that showed how this dancer hid in bomb shelters with his baby and wife. Not even the best dancers can out run missiles. It showed the human side that seem to miss when hear about immigration. I am so unbelievably thankful the United States opened the door for Havrylchenko. He continues to work hard day and night for survival and he belongs here with us. He is one of us. He is my dance colleague, my friend, my brother, and my neighbor.