Andrea Chmilar (Stelmach) joined Shumka in 1999, a dream come true. Her instructor at the time, Shelley Borowski, inspired her to reach for the stage and aspire to be the energy and passion of the Hopak. For many years she was a member of the executive committee of the Alumni Association and has given the alumni a few opportunities to…

As President of the Shevchenko Foundation, a national, chartered philanthropic institution dedicated to the preservation, promotion and development of the Ukrainian Canadian cultural heritage, Andriy Hladyshevsky has seen first-hand the benefit that Shumka has brought to all of Canada. “It becomes really obvious when you receive hundreds of grant applications when an amazing one sticks out. That one is always…

Cecilia Laskoski is a member of Seniors Can Shumka, Silver Swans, a proud godmother of Zachary Wynnyk, (a Shumka dancer), and a donor to Shumka. She was a hospital pharmacist who worked for many years, terrified of retirement because it meant she wouldn’t be able to meet people anymore. Once she finally did retire, she wanted to get involved with…

In 1970, Dick Wong took on the role of developing multicultural programs for the Province of Alberta. He didn’t know anything about multiculturalism back then, but one of the first things he did was travel across the province with members of Shumka as part of the Folk Arts Council, and later to Japan. So began a lifelong relationship. He learned…