BRADENTON, Fla. — After fleeing from his war-torn country, an 18-year-old Ukrainian is continuing his dream of becoming a professional dancer. 

What You Need To Know

  • Arthur Murray Dance Studio is sponsoring a Ukrainian through a national program called "Uniting for Ukraine"

  • Dmytro Loshchupkin, 18, will be living in Manatee County working for Arthur Murray Dance Studios for the next 2 years 

  • Dima is also getting paid for teaching while being sponsored here in the U.S.

  • The Arthur Murray Dance Studio is hoping to sponsor more Ukrainian natives 

Two weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, Dmytro Loshchupkin and his family fled to Germany to escape.

Before arriving in the United States, Loshchupkin, who goes by Dima, posted on Facebook looking for a dance studio. He connected with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Bradenton, which was looking for a dance instructor.

Owner Bryan Coberg is now sponsoring Dima to stay in the U.S. through “Uniting for Ukraine” — a program that welcomes Ukrainians who are fleeing their native country.

Shortly after his flight into the Tampa International Airport, Dima visited the dance studio, where a group of employees greeted him and welcomed him to the team.

In a notebook that he carries around with him, Dima jots down ideas for future dance steps — ones he plans to implement at his new school to help reach his dreams of becoming a professional dancer.

Dima will get paid for teaching while being sponsored in the U.S.

Arthur Murray Dance Studio would like to sponsor more Ukrainians through the national program.