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 switch it.”  After she 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, I decided to experiment and switch from a very strict environment of ballroom dance to exploring different dance styles. And I tried everything from dancehall and twerking to commercial dance, dance on heels, hip-hop. Now I’m in contemporary fusion and modern dance-on-heels style kind of thing. 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 / do you enjoy/do you aspire to / did you start with?

It’s an interesting question because 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.

After the full-scale invasion in Ukraine, I moved to Berlin and immersed myself in different creative environments with not only dancers but musicians and singers. My debut performance was in Kit Kat about a year ago.

indierepublik: Tell us something about your dance career.

I would say that my dance career has started here in Berlin. After the full-scale invasion in Ukraine, I moved to Berlin and immersed myself in different creative environments with not only dancers but musicians and singers. My debut performance was in Kit Kat about a year ago. 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.

The war is affecting me as a Ukrainian and as an artist tremendously. I am very sensitive to what is happening in my country

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

That’s a very good question. Yes, the video was shot in Odesa in January 2024. I was visiting my family for a few months and I decided to create my first dance video in Odesa because I wanted to represent where I am coming from. So, I did it. The war is affecting me as a Ukrainian and as an artist tremendously. There’s not a lot of a difference between these two states. As an artist and as a Ukrainian, I am very sensitive to what is happening in my country. I am in my feelings all the time, and these feelings are very raw and running deep. So, for me, they are a fuel to create since I always have something to say. In the future, I would be happy to immerse myself more in exploring Ukrainian culture, mixing it with alternative and pop culture, and creating more art that will speak to the public on a global scale.

I urge everyone to show different sides of who they are because that’s what makes us us. I just want people to feel comfortable in their skin.

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 particular video, I want to communicate the power of human duality and the importance of showing this duality. I feel oftentimes we don’t show much of our different sides – we have a certain way of being perceived by our friends, family, and society but I urge everyone to show different sides of who they are because that’s what makes us us. I just want people to feel comfortable in their skin. I hope with the art that I will be creating in the future people will feel good about themselves.

indierepublik: What are your plans for the future?

Well, in the tumultuous world that we live in right now, and especially with the war in my country, it’s really hard to have some very structured solid plans for the future. However, at the same time, it’s quite possible because true intentions all come from within. 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. To reach every heart with what I do – that’s my big goal.

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

What is one thing about myself that I’ve never told anyone? A lot of stuff. I would say that I’m very open, bubbly, and welcoming but quite reserved in different ways. One thing that I’ve never told anyone. Let me think. This is the thing that people just might 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. 

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