She/Her

Annikka Dobko received her dance education from various institutions including the School of Alberta Ballet and Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington DC. Additionally, she studied at summer intensive ballet programs at the Royal Ballet School Antwerp (Belgium), American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet School (New York), The National Ballet of Canada, Boston Ballet, Ballet West (Salt Lake City) and Oklahoma City Ballet.

Following her training, Annikka joined Orlando Ballet for two seasons as a trainee where she was able to perform various roles such as Dulcinea in Don Quixote and Spanish in Robert Hill’s Nutcracker.

Joining Shumka in 2017, Annikka has been fortunate to perform nationally and internationally on tours and at special performances including UNA’s 125th Anniversary Gala (New Jersey, USA), Shumka On Tour cross-Canada tour and with the National Ballet of Ukraine during their USA tour in the fall of 2024.

Some of her favourite roles with Shumka include Mavka in Shumka’s UKRAINKA, Arabian in Shumka’s Nutcracker and Jorden Morris’ Me Yeh amongst others.

Annikka is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, holding a BA Hons in Dance Education from the Royal Academy of Dance as well as a diploma in Arts & Cultural Management from Macewan University and a personal trainer certification from NAIT.

When not dancing or teaching dance, Annikka is an international model having been invited to various fashion weeks and modelling contracts in Europe and South America.

Annikka is delighted to be dancing the role of Sugar Plum in Canada’s Ukrainian Nutcracker Presented by Shumka this season!

Being given the opportunity to create this character alongside Shumka’s Artistic leadership for the newly updated production has been both an exciting and challenging journey. Annikka is eager to bring this role to life on stage throughout the four-city tour.