“It’s always important to find ways to pay it back. What has Shumka given to us? Let’s make sure that we help make sure this legacy [exists] for future generations.”

Vincent Rees moved to Edmonton to join Shumka in 1992, going on to dance across  Canada as part of the Absolutely Shumka, Cinderella, and Nutcracker tours throughout the 1990s. In addition to dancing, Rees has been involved with the company as a choreographer and dance instructor, serving as the principal of the Shumka School of Dance. Today, he runs Cobblestone Freeway, a cultural tourism company that tours Ukraine, as well as taking on numerous projects including Ukrainian Dance World.

Vincent serves as a link our heritage, helping us keep in touch with our roots while exploring new territory within our Ukrainian Canadian art form. Thank you, Vincent.