Larisa Carlson is a professional Folk Dancer/Folk Dance Instructor and Choreographer. She has graduated from the Institute of Choreography at the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre and received a degree in Folk Dance Choreography at the Shevchenko University in Lviv (Ukrainian Republic). Upon graduating she performed professionally with the State Folk Dance Ensemble “Yunost” and later as a dancer and instructor with the Folk Dance Ensemble “Druzhba.” As part of her professional dance career, Ms. Carlson had participated in numerous State folk dance competitions and festivals, received prestigious State awards for folk dance, toured nationally and internationally. Having immigrated to the United States, she immediately began teaching Slavic folk dance and producing Slavic folk culture events. As a Founder (in 1999) and the Director of the Dance Studio “Showtime-Katusha” she has participated in a plethora of fairs, festival and ethnic events, as well as produced many successful cultural events performances through the Studio.