She/Her Darka Tarnawsky is founding president of Bottom Line Productions, an Alberta-based arts marketing firm, and has been involved in the industry as a performer, volunteer, supporter and professional manager for over 30 years. Her client roster has included Edmonton Opera; Edmonton International Jazz Festival; Royal Winnipeg Ballet; CKUA Radio Network; Alberta Ballet; Festival Place; Edmonton International Street Performers Festival;…
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June’s background in the Arts began at the University of Alberta, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. She became affiliated with the Shumka School of Dance 16 years ago, when she brought her three boys to begin their Ukrainian dance training. She believed right from the start that Shumka School was the…
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She/Her Tasha Orysiuk is a highly respected and accomplished dance educator, adjudicator and choreographer in Canada, having trained extensively in various disciplines under internationally-renowned artists in Canada, the United States, England, and Ukraine during her dance career. Over the years, Tasha achieved her Advanced Dance Certificates in tap, ballet, jazz, modern, and national dancing, in addition to holding numerous other…
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He/Him Toronto-born Paul Olijnyk began his association with Shumka in 2001 when he moved to Edmonton and joined the company. Since then, Paul has taught Ukrainian dance throughout the province of Alberta; adjudicates dance festivals throughout Western Canada; and has been a guest choreographer for dance ensembles in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. He is one of the key instructors…
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He/Him Zachary Wynnyk has been dancing with Shumka since 2015. He started training in the Shumka School when he was six years old and it was always his goal to dance with “big” Shumka one day. Zachary remembers all the excitement around the Shumka at 50 show, back when he was still in the School. Now with the Shumka 60…
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She/Her Vanessa Wynnyk has been dancing with Shumka for two years. After growing up in the Shumka School and watching Shumka perform, she knew it was the place she wanted to be. “The energy and passion Shumka brings to the stage has always inspired me.” The 60th Anniversary Tour will be Vanessa’s first with the company and she can’t wait…
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She/Her Summer 2020 marks Ashlyn Waller’s one year anniversary of dancing with Shumka, where she first got involved after hearing of the company through our involved alumni. She is extremely grateful to be able to represent the beautiful legacy that Shumka has created over the past 60 years and is honoured to be part of something so special. Not only…
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She/Her Since she was a little girl watching from the audience, Leda Tarnawsky has aspired to be a Shumka Dancer. She began her dance training at the age of four and three years later, joined the Shumka School, where she discovered her love for Ukrainian dance. She successfully auditioned for Shumka in 2018 and has performed with the company in…
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Alyssa began her dance career with training in Ukrainian and ballet. Since then she has also trained in tap, jazz and hip hop. Alyssa is an alumnus of the Shumka School of Dance and has been an instructor with the School since 2007. Alyssa joined the Shumka Dancers as a member in 2006. She has performed internationally in Ukraine and…
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She/Her Dancing in the Shumka company is not only a dream come true for Danica Skitsko, but also a family affair as her brother Jacob is involved as well. Touring for Shumka’s 60th allows some of Danica and Jacob’s family members to see them perform for the first time, which is a long time coming. Danica has been dancing with…
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