By: Samantha Joy

When Kateryna Golovan enters a room, she doesn’t need to raise her voice. Her posture, her presence, and the quiet magnetism in her gaze do the speaking. Perhaps that’s to be expected from someone who’s spent her entire life using movement — not words — to tell some of the deepest stories of humanity.

Now living in Southern California, Golovan is in the early stages of building a dream she carried across the ocean: a nationwide network of expressive arts studios that use dance as a gateway to well-being, longevity, and self-discovery.

But to understand the foundation of her vision, you have to start decades ago — on the industrial edges of Mariupol, Ukraine.

A Childhood Written in Rhythm

Kateryna was just five years old when her parents enrolled her in the children’s folk ensemble “Kvitеn,” a community-based troupe rehearsing out of a modest Palace of Culture connected to a local manufacturing plant. No one in her working-class family had artistic aspirations, but they recognized in Kateryna something rare: a girl who seemed to communicate with the world through her body.

“From the very first rehearsal, I knew dance wasn’t just a hobby,” Kateryna says. “It was the way I processed everything — joy, fear, love, memory.”

She would spend her childhood traveling across Ukraine, performing intricate traditional routines at festivals and competitions in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Her ensemble often received recognition, but Kateryna was just as moved by the invisible transformations she felt during rehearsals — the way music calmed her mind, how synchronized movement fostered connection, and how tradition offered grounding during uncertain moments.

A Professional Calling

By the age of 17, Kateryna had become one of the youngest professional dancers on payroll in her region. By 19, she was choreographing for two ensembles: “Kvitеn” and “Vesnyanka” — the very same institutions where she once danced as a child.

After graduating with a degree in choreography from the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, she poured her energy into elevating Ukrainian folk dance into a dynamic and evolving art form. Under her artistic leadership, her ensembles merged tradition with innovation — layering contemporary themes onto centuries-old movement vocabulary. Her pieces explored identity, motherhood, migration, and the body as a site of memory.

“I never wanted to dance only for applause,” she says. “I wanted to preserve our cultural DNA. I wanted to help people feel — to remember who they are.”

By 2016, she was appointed Artistic Director of both ensembles — a significant role, especially for someone relatively young. But she envisioned more than revival; she aimed to explore the broader potential of dance across all stages of life.

Dance as Medicine

Though her work is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture, Kateryna speaks fluently in the language of universal wellness. And research appears to support her views. According to studies published by the National Institutes of Health, dancing may contribute to cardiovascular health, memory support, emotional resilience, and mobility – particularly in children and older adults. Dance is also being incorporated into rehabilitation and mental health programs, and is increasingly acknowledged as a form of neuroplastic exercise.

“When people dance, they return to themselves,” Kateryna explains. “They access memories, work through experiences, and connect with joy. There’s a unique blend of physical and emotional engagement that makes it meaningful.”

Her vision for her U.S.-based creative studios reflects this belief: dance as a daily nourishment, a therapeutic tool, and a cultural mirror.

A New Chapter in California

In 2022, with war escalating in her homeland, Kateryna made the difficult decision to relocate to the United States with her young child. “Leaving wasn’t escape,” she says. “It was a promise – that I would carry our stories forward and share them in new ways.”

Settling in Irvine, California, she immediately began developing blueprints for her next act: opening a chain of expressive movement and creativity studios where dance is the heartbeat, but not the only form of expression.

Her concept? To create welcoming spaces for self-expression through multiple art forms — painting, sculpture, rhythm, storytelling, vocal work, and importantly, movement. Each studio will be designed as an integrated environment where children and adults explore identity, enhance wellness, and foster vitality through joyful engagement.

And there’s something more.

“Longevity is about more than diet and steps on a Fitbit,” she says. “It’s about emotional energy. About where your story flows. Movement helps that story keep flowing.”

What Her Studios Will Offer

Although the project is still evolving, Kateryna already has a clear vision of what her future creative spaces will include. A central component will be folk dance classes for children, where movement and play will introduce them to cultural traditions from different parts of the world. These classes aim to help children build coordination, self-awareness, and a sense of connection.

For adults, the studios will feature programs focused on restoring inner balance and vitality — through a blend of dance, expressive art, and gentle meditative practices. Family sessions will be a priority as well, offering opportunities for parents and children to dance, play, and create together. These shared experiences are designed to deepen relationships and enhance emotional well-being.

Throughout the year, the studios will host seasonal creative labs – participatory festivals in which attendees collaborate on performances inspired by the energy and symbolism of the seasons. Kateryna also plans to explore interdisciplinary practices like painting in motion or sculpting through rhythm. One of her innovative goals is the development of her own “Longevity Through Movement” method, drawing from principles of neuroplasticity, somatic education, and creative energy.

Altogether, the method is intended to function as a holistic system in which dance is more than just art — it becomes a potential source of growth, awareness, and vitality.

The Soul of Her Mission

What distinguishes Kateryna is that she doesn’t view herself as a traditional instructor or choreographer. She often describes herself as a “translator of energy.” Her belief is that every person – regardless of age, background, or experience – carries within them a choreography waiting to be expressed.

She also maintains that the arts should be regarded as essential for community well-being – not as indulgences, but as tools for personal and social harmony.

“We don’t necessarily need more pills,” she says. “We may need more spaces that help us reconnect to ourselves.”

Her studios won’t resemble competitive dance schools or purely fitness-driven environments. Instead, she envisions soul-centered spaces where people move, feel, reflect, and grow.

Looking Ahead

Kateryna is currently in the process of raising funds, collaborating with cultural partners, and scouting her first studio location in Orange County. Her broader vision includes opening additional locations in culturally diverse cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami — places where immigrant experiences intersect and where identity is continually reshaped.

She’s also writing a book about her framework of “Energetic Longevity” – a philosophy she’s co-developing with wellness practitioners and movement educators.

It’s a demanding path — balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, creativity, and healing – but Kateryna has long navigated complex terrain.

“I danced through war. Through pregnancy. Through pandemic. I’ll dance through this too,” she says, smiling.

A Final Bow – And Beginning

In a world that often emphasizes speed and achievement, Kateryna Golovan offers a different rhythm: one of intention, care, and reconnection. In a society preoccupied with youth, she proposes a vision of aging that includes vitality, creativity, and movement. And in a time marked by cultural fragmentation, she seeks to build bridges – not through politics, but through expressive, shared experience.

Her life is a love letter to rhythm. And now, that rhythm is beginning to take root in a new land – and in new hearts.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and storytelling purposes only. It does not constitute medical, therapeutic, or health advice, and no outcomes or benefits are guaranteed. Statements made by individuals in this article reflect their personal experiences and beliefs, and do not represent medical or scientific consensus. Readers should consult qualified professionals before beginning any new health, wellness, or movement practices. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition.