“We’ve done Canadian tours, and got a chance to meet the Prime Minister, danced for the Queen…all kinds of exciting opportunities like that, that you wouldn’t get normally.” Blain and Marlene (Sulyma) Gowing are both alumnists of Shumka. They were the champions of Shumka’s 2016 Capital Campaign with funds raised going to the facility upgrades that made the Shumka Dance Centre the gem it is today. Blain and Marlene have volunteered countless hours on Shumka Foundation positions, at fundraising galas, in the areas of administration and financial planning, and even in furniture finishing for the studio. Their most recent generous donation resulted in the partial naming rights to the Sulyma/Gowing Boardroom where important Shumka decisions are made. “We’ve been with Shumka for 50 years. How that time has passed so quickly, we never know! Clearly, it’s a credit to the organization. Shumka isn’t just a performing arts ensemble, it’s a place that once you become involved, it’s hard to let go.” Shumka relies on the passion and generosity of our supporters to help the organization grow, on and off the stage. Thank you, Blain and Marlene.