She/Her Tasha Orysiuk is a highly respected and accomplished Canadian dance educator, adjudicator, and choreographer, with extensive training across multiple disciplines under internationally renowned artists in Canada, the U.S., England, and Ukraine. Her credentials include an ARAD Teaching Diploma, AISTD Teaching Diploma National Branch, PBT Level 3 Certification, and Silver Swans License, along with many additional certifications that make her…
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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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Peter has been part of Shumka for more than two decades, beginning his Ukrainian dance journey at the age of eight when he enrolled at the Shumka School of Dance. With dedication and unwavering commitment, he trained extensively in Ukrainian folk, ballet, and contemporary styles, eventually joining the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers in 2008. Since 2013, Peter has served as Principal…
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Alyssa Eugenio began her dance career studying Ukrainian and ballet, and has supplemented her training to include tap, jazz, and hip hop. Since becoming a member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, she has performed with the company internationally in Ukraine, China, and the USA, as well as across Canada. Select dance credits include: performing in the Kyiv Opera House in Shumka’s Cinderella (2007);…
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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. Since joining the company, he has always loved being able to share his passion for dance and a part of Ukrainian culture on stages…
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She/Her Vanessa has been dancing with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers since 2018. Her connection to the company began much earlier—growing up in the Shumka School of Dance, she was inspired by the energy and artistry of Shumka’s performances. One production that has always stood out to her is Shumka’s Nutcracker, which blends Ukrainian culture with classical storytelling in a way that…
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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.
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She/Her Since she was a young 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. In 2018, Leda successfully auditioned for the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Since joining the company,…
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She/Her Danica Skitsko began dancing at the age of 3 and instantly fell in love with the joy that comes from it. She has trained in various styles during her career including Ukrainian, ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Throughout her many years training primarily with Shumka School she was inspired by her instructors to further pursue her dreams of dancing with…
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She/Her Julianna Shukalek’s dance journey began at the age of 5 with the Shumka School of Dance. Growing up and watching her instructors perform with Shumka, she was inspired to hopefully join the company in the future. Julianna has been dancing with Shumka since June of 2019. Throughout her time with Shumka she has had the pleasure of being a part…
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