From Resilience to Triumph: Varvara Hrushanina and Uliana Fomenko’s DanceSport Journey
At just 13 years old, Ukrainian dancer Varvara Hrushanina has already made her mark in the DanceSport community with her elegance, determination, and inspiring story of resilience. Having fled her hometown of Dnipro during the early days of the war, she found a new home in Deruta, Italy, and through dance, discovered not only a renewed sense of hope but also a lasting bond with her coach Uliana Fomenko. Since late 2023, Varvara has partnered with Massimo Menghinelli to represent Italy in the Junior II Latin category, rapidly securing podium finishes, including victories in Montichiari and Zagreb in 2025, a second place in Rome later this year, and most recently achieving 7th place at the Junior II World Championship in Sibiu.
Under Uliana’s guidance, a former competitor and current WDSF-licensed international adjudicator, Varvara has turned challenge into opportunity for growth. Their relationship goes beyond technique: it is built on trust, encouragement, and a shared passion for dance that transcends borders. Together, they exemplify how DanceSport can unite people from different cultures, create lasting connections, and serve as a bridge between nations, turning the dance floor into a space of friendship, respect, and mutual growth.
The WDSF sat down with Varvara and Uliana to talk about their journey, the power of their partnership, and how DanceSport continues to bring people together across the globe.
Can you tell us about the moment you first realised dance was something special for you? What made you fall in love with it?
Varvara: When I was little, dance was just fun for me, a magical place where I met many friends who were just like me. I started learning, discovering new things, but I never imagined it would lead me to something greater. It was just one activity among many. Everything changed the moment I formed a dance partnership. It happened after a year of solo dancing: together with my partner we began serious preparation for competitions, and training sessions became more intense. I realised I no longer had time for other hobbies, and I chose dance, because it inspired me more than anything else. From that moment on, I wanted to work harder and harder to reach my goals.
What part of your training or preparation do you enjoy the most, and how do you keep improving every day?
Varvara: My favourite part of training is technique, because that’s where you truly learn something new and work deeply on the elements that make your dance better. Then, during a performance, you try to put everything you’ve learned into action on the floor.
Moving to a new country can be a big challenge, how did dance help you find your place and feel at home in Italy?
Varvara: It’s all about the environment: I was surrounded by caring people, my coaches and my partner’s family. The beginning wasn’t easy, but over time I learned the language at school, the hardest and most important part, because without it, you can’t understand anything. Then I made friends, both in dance and at school, and life started to shine with new colours. I enrolled in an art high school, something I had always dreamed of. And every day I keep training, deeply in love with this magical art.
How has your relationship with your coach, Uliana, inspired or supported you on your journey?
Varvara: From the very first day, Uliana has been a great source of support for me, both as a coach and as a person. We started by working only together, because I was struggling with the language, and she helped me feel more confident. I’m so happy that she was able to see in me not only the technique, but also my passion and curiosity for everything new. She encouraged me to believe in myself and to never stop improving.
When you perform on stage, what message do you hope your dancing sends to others?
Varvara: For me, dance is not just movement set to music, but a way to open my soul completely and share with the audience the same emotions that are flowing inside me in that moment. I want every turn, every lift, and every fall on the parquet to reflect my feelings of joy and passion. I want the audience not just to watch, but to live the story with me, as if they were inside the dance itself. I dream of seeing eyes light up in the audience, not out of politeness, but because of the real fire that my dance ignites in them. I want the applause to come from hearts overflowing with emotion. And the sweetest, most desired reward is not the medal or the podium. It’s the compliments after the final.
What advice would you give to young dancers who are facing obstacles but still want to pursue their dreams?
Varvara: I would advise them to take risks and not be afraid of mistakes, because life is too short to hide in the shadow of doubt. If a goal burns in your heart, chase it with all your soul, but don’t let the voice of insecurity whisper, “It will never come true.” Those thoughts can become self-fulfilling prophecies: your emotions and beliefs are like a mirror that reflects your reality. Everything is in your hands, not in your coach’s.
Only you can decide whether to fall after a mistake or to rise higher, turning every lesson into wings. Be bold, and the world will open up to you.
(Now to Uliana) How do you encourage young athletes like Varvara to persevere and believe in themselves?
Uliana: I believe that young athletes like Varvara, especially between the ages of 12 and 15, need above all to feel secure. At that age, it’s essential to have people around them who can inspire trust, believe in them, and make them feel supported. As a coach, I think it’s important to tell them openly that you believe in them, that they can rely on you at any time, not only as a technical guide but also as a human support. They must know that whatever problem or difficulty they face, they are never alone: there’s always a way forward, and together we can find it.
From your perspective, how can dance bring people together and foster understanding, even across different backgrounds?
Uliana: In my opinion, dance is a powerful tool of cultural connection. It teaches discipline, teamwork, and mutual listening. When young people from different countries work together in couples or as a team, they learn to respect differences and value what unites them, their shared passion for dance. Dance becomes a small school of life, where art and mutual respect blend naturally.
What has been the most rewarding moment for you as a coach in seeing your students grow and overcome challenges?
Uliana: For me, the most rewarding moment is seeing my students achieve their dreams. But the greatest satisfaction comes when a couple that at first might not have seemed very promising manages, through dedication and persistence, to reach great results. Watching them change not only physically but also mentally, culturally, and emotionally is the greatest reward a teacher can receive. These are the moments that remind me how deeply dance can shape a person’s growth.
Working closely with Varvara, what have you learned from her, both as a dancer and as a young person?
Uliana: I’ve learned that every student has a different key that helps you reach them in the best way. With Varvara, I quickly realized that she needed more reassurance, to feel supported and understood. I remember a very meaningful moment during a lesson when she told me: “I don’t put much energy into dancing because I’m afraid of falling.” In that moment, I understood that what she really needed wasn’t just technique, but trust, the ability to believe in herself and use her energy in the right way. From her, I’ve learned how important it is for a teacher to listen, understand, and offer security before trying to correct.
I understood that what she really needed wasn’t just technique, but trust, the ability to believe in herself and use her energy in the right way.
Having lived and taught in different countries, how has that experience influenced your approach to coaching and understanding your athletes?
Uliana: Living and teaching in different countries has shown me how much culture influences the way people learn, communicate, and relate to training. At first, I used the methods I was used to in my home country, but I soon realized that not all students reacted in the same way. Some felt overwhelmed or out of place, and I had to adapt my approach to make them feel understood and motivated. Over time, I’ve learned that the key is balance: maintaining discipline and rigor, but delivering them with openness, empathy, and respect for different mindsets. Every culture teaches you something, and a true teacher is the one who knows how to find the right language for each student, wherever they are in the world.
Together, what message would you like to share with the DanceSport community about resilience, teamwork, and the power of dance to unite people?
Varvara and Uliana: For us, dance is a family. It’s the place where we learn not to give up, even when things get difficult, and where we discover that mutual trust can turn fear into strength. Every practice, every competition, every shared smile reminds us that dance connects people who are completely different yet share the same love in their hearts. We want to tell young dancers: believe in your team, your coaches, and yourselves. That’s how dance becomes not only a sport, but a way of life.
Every practice, every competition, every shared smile reminds us that dance connects people who are completely different yet share the same love in their hearts.
The Transformative Power of Passion and Trust
Their story is a testament to the transformative power of DanceSport. Through dedication, trust, and a shared passion, Varvara Hrushanina and Uliana Fomenko have shown how a coach-athlete relationship can become a source of strength, inspiration, and mutual growth. Beyond the medals and podiums, their journey highlights how dance transcends borders, uniting people from different cultures and backgrounds through teamwork, respect, and shared joy.
Shawn Tay, WDSF President, notes:
Stories like Varvara and Uliana’s remind us that DanceSport is more than a competition, it is a bridge between people, a celebration of resilience, and a way to connect hearts across the globe.
