Academic Discourse on the Content of Educational and Professional Choreography Programs at Berdyansk and Drohobych State Pedagogical Universities

Last week, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Choreography and Fitness Yuliia Taranenko, together with first- (Bachelor’s) level students of years 1–4 enrolled in the “Choreography” educational and professional program, visited the Faculty of Primary Education and Arts at Ivan Franko Drohobych State Pedagogical University to discuss the content of choreography programs at the two higher education institutions.

The Dean of the Faculty, Associate Professor Olena Kravchenko-Dzondza, conducted an introductory tour of the учеб facilities, outlined key aspects of the building’s history, and introduced the Head of the Department, Professor Iryna Bermes, as well as the academic staff of the Department of Vocal and Choral, Choreographic, and Fine Arts. In her address, she emphasized the systematic improvement of educational programs in line with contemporary requirements and labor market needs.

An academic exchange of views took place in the conference hall, where choreography students and academic staff from both institutions discussed the specifics of implementing educational and professional programs.

The Bachelor’s level “Choreography” program at Drohobych State Pedagogical University was presented by its guarantor, Candidate of Art Studies, Associate Professor of the Department of Vocal and Choral, Choreographic, and Fine Arts, Liubomyr Martyniv. His presentation comprehensively covered the program’s content and highlighted the incorporation of recommendations from external reviewers in the 2026 revision, including those provided by Associate Professor Yuliia Taranenko.

The Master’s level “Choreography” program was presented by its guarantor, Candidate of Art Studies, Associate Professor of the same department, Petro Fryz, who outlined the specifics of specialist training at the Master’s level, focusing on the program structure, its professional orientation, and the significant role of practical training.

The Bachelor’s level “Choreography” program at Berdyansk State Pedagogical University was presented by Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Choreography and Fitness, Yuliia Taranenko. In her presentation, she emphasized systematic and continuous cooperation with various stakeholder groups, ensuring openness to change, ongoing discussion, and targeted improvement of the program in response to current challenges and professional demands.

Yuliia Taranenko also shared the experience of successfully completing accreditation in 2025, highlighting key features of the program, particularly its practice-oriented nature, flexibility, and alignment with current trends in choreography education. Special emphasis was placed on the strong team of practitioner-lecturers who ensure high-quality training by combining academic approaches with real professional experience. She also noted the comprehensive support of the university leadership, which creates favorable conditions for the development of the program and the implementation of innovative initiatives.

Considerable attention was given to the introduction of innovative teaching methods and formats in the context of distance education, enabling the maintenance of the effectiveness of the educational process despite transformations in the learning environment. The regional dimension of the program was also highlighted as an important factor in preserving and promoting national choreographic traditions.

Various types of practical training were characterized, which, despite existing challenges, are primarily conducted in a face-to-face format and contribute to the development of professional competencies of future specialists. In conclusion, the speaker emphasized the active and meaningful work of student self-government bodies, which serve as an important component of the educational environment, initiate creative projects, and contribute to students’ professional development.

The meeting demonstrated the importance of inter-university dialogue as an effective tool for exchanging experience, identifying common challenges, and defining prospects for the development of choreography education. It also confirmed the value of cooperation between higher education institutions in improving educational programs and enhancing the quality of training of future choreographers, while highlighting the active role of students in shaping a modern educational environment.