Since 1969, the mission of the New Archangel Dancers has been to promote and encourage interest in Alaska’s Russian history and culture through folk dance and song.
The New Archangel Dancers are a group of women who live, work and raise their families in Sitka. Troupe members represent a variety of professions including artists, biologists, business managers, domestic engineers, pharmacists, physical therapist, social worker and teachers. They perform with sincerity and enthusiasm rarely seen in a volunteer group. Training and practice is an integral part of the group and these dedicated performers practice throughout the year, often attending dance workshops over the winter. New members are accepted into the group at annual auditions and experienced dancers are responsible, along with the dance director, to prepare and train new members. Most troupe members are employed and have families, so are juggling work, family and other forms of recreation to practice and perform.
