Steven Chwok and his family have been supporters of Shumka for 40 years… and in many different ways over those decades. Shumka Music Director Gene Zwozdesky first approached Steven in 1982, when he wanted him to play the tsymbaly (hammer dulcimer) in Shumka’s first tour with live music. Steven, along with a group of talented musicians, continued to play for…

Maxine Zakardonski has catered many Shumka events including galas, post-show cast parties, perogy supper fundraisers, and Seniors Can Shumka Christmas gatherings, but she especially loves cooking for the kids at Shumka Summer Dance Camps. Shumka School Principal Peter Eeles asked Maxine to be the cook for the camps several years ago, and she’s been back every year since (except this…

In the Zwozdesky household, Shumka was a family thing—everyone wanted to be involved in it. Gene joined in 1963 and after dancing for about 5 years, he shifted his energy to focus on Shumka’s music. For 25 years, Gene composed, spliced (by hand), and created hundreds of pieces of music for Shumka. Even after retiring as Music Director, Gene continued…