Introducing Daria, a Ukrainian perfomer: “To reach every heart with what I do – that’s my big goal”

A YOUNG PERFORMER FROM ODESA, UKRAINE, CONTACTED US BECAUSE SHE WAS ABOUT TO RELEASE HER DEBUT DANCE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE. WOULD WE BE INTERESTED? OF COURSE, WE WOULD.

Daria Shyshko delves into the duality of human nature and wants to remind us how we should embrace and explore our light and dark sides. Oh, and she dances wonderfully too.

indierepublik: Your improvised dance video explores the duality of nature in each of us. How did you come to this idea, what inspires you about it…Could you say something about the subject?

Yes, it started with the idea of showing different sides of my character through dance. Then I had a couple of more ideas related to what song I wanted to pick. Funny thing, when I was going to the studio to shoot this video, I had one song in mind. But when I came there, I called my video director and said: “Hey, I don’t feel like this is the right song. We should change it.” After Yulya came to the studio and we listened to “Witch” by Alina Pash, she was like: “Let’s do it. Let’s improvise. Let’s experiment.”

indierepublik: Where are you from? When did you begin dancing? How did you get to where you are now?

I’m from Odesa, Ukraine, and I began dancing at the age of six. My father took me to a ballroom dance studio, and ever since then, I have been in the dance world. In my teenage years and early twenties, I decided to experiment and switch from a very strict environment of ballroom dance to exploring different dance styles. I tried everything from dancehall and twerking to commercial dance, dance on heels, and hip-hop. Now I’m into contemporary fusion and modern dance-on-heels. My style is evolving. I’m longing to express myself not only through dance but other mediums as well. And it feels that it’s the right way. I’m on the right track.

indierepublik: Which dance styles/genres inspire you?

I wouldn’t say that the dance styles or genres inspire me. People inspire me. When I see an amazing choreographer or dancer doing a piece I get mesmerized by that. Then I think, okay, how can I do the same? How can I recreate what they’re doing? Also, it’s a matter of trying new things. I go to different dance workshops regularly and I am always up for experimenting. Working with different artists and creating something unique together is the approach that is close to my heart.

indierepublik: Tell us something about your dance career.

I would say that my dance career has started here in Berlin. Due to the full-scale invasion in Ukraine, I had to move to Berlin and later immersed myself in different creative environments with not only dancers but musicians and singers. My debut performance was about a year ago in Kit Kat. I had a fiery dance performance that was created with my friend from Odesa, who is a professional choreographer. We created a fusion of modern dance and burlesque. I also performed that piece in a theater, and now I’m looking forward to my next performance.

indierepublik: The video is shot in Odesa…How is the war affecting you? In what way does it have an impact on producing your art?

Thank you for asking these questions. Yes, the video was shot in Odesa in January 2024. I was visiting my family for a few months and decided to create my first dance video in Odesa because I wanted to represent where I was coming from. So, I did it. The war is affecting me as a Ukrainian and as an artist tremendously. I am in my feelings all the time, and these feelings are very raw and running deep. They are my fuel to create since I always have something to say, and I believe I must do so. In the future, I would be happy to immerse myself more in exploring Ukrainian culture, mixing it with alternative and pop culture, and making art that will speak to the public globally.

indierepublik: With your performance, you’re reaching out to communicate with people – What do you want to inspire in people? How would you like to imagine them reacting?

In this video, I want to communicate the power of human duality and the importance of showing it. I feel that we all have a certain way of carrying ourselves in society, an image to live up to, roles to fulfill. I want people to feel comfortable in their skin. So, I urge everyone to show different sides of who they are because that’s where our true power comes from. This is what makes us us.

To reach every heart with what I do – that’s my big goal.

indierepublik: What are your plans for the future?

To reach every heart with what I do – that’s my big goal. In the tumultuous world that we live in right now, and especially with the war in my country, it’s not easy to have very structured and solid plans for the future. However, I believe, if you put your mind and passion into what you love, and fearlessly follow your heart, then the sky is the limit. I would say I want to continue making art and inspiring people not only through dancing. So, stay tuned, and I hope I’ll surprise you with more things.

indierepublik: What’s one thing about yourself that you’ve never told anyone? 🙂

Let me think. This is the thing that people might just not know about me. I am a left-handed person but my parents retaught me how to write with my right hand. So, I write with my right hand but I do everything else with my left hand. 

Photo credits: Anastasiia Bozheyavilna

Follow Daria on Instagram | Watch more Daria performances on Youtube |