Kelsey Olijnyk

Kelsey is a multi-talented individual with a lifelong dedication to Ukrainian dance. Her journey began in rural Alberta, where she discovered her love for dance. She danced throughout rural Alberta before joining the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in 2010. In addition to her dance career, Kelsey has been teaching Ukrainian dance in Alberta since 2005 and has been a guest…

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Natasha Grant

Natasha began her dance career at Shumka School of Dance at the age of three. Natasha joined the School’s Intensive Division, taking on new dance styles, including Contemporary and Ballet. Natasha’s passion for dance continued to expand and gave her many opportunities to perform and learn new steps. Natasha continued to develop her skills and was introduced to pointe work.…

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Abigail Moser

Abigail began her dance journey in Fort McMurray with the Avrora Ukrainian dancers at the age of four. When she was eight years old, following her family to Edmonton, she enrolled in the Shumka School of Dance. Her experience in dance grew as she took part in different styles such as RAD ballet and contemporary movement, as well as Shumka…

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Ava Moser

Ava Moser started her Ukrainian dance journey at the age of three in Fort McMurray, taking ballet and tap lessons. After going to see her first Shumka show that year, she fell in love with Ukrainian dance. She then enrolled with the Avrora Ukrainian Dancers in 2007 before ultimately moving to Edmonton to join Shumka School in 2014. After graduating…

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Joshua Pacholok

Joshua Pacholok began Ukrainian dancing at the age of five when he was enrolled at the Shumka School of Dance. In 2016, after a two-year break from dance, Josh returned to the studio, both nervous and eager to continue his dance journey. As Josh’s passion for dance continued to grow, he entered Shumka School’s Intensive Division where he had the…

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Leda Tarnawsky

Leda Tarnawsky began her dance training at the Shumka School of Dance, where she completed the nine year syllabus program in Ukrainian character dance, R.A.D. ballet, and contemporary movement. Leda’s training was supplemented by a summer of regional workshops and performances throughout Ukraine in 2017. In 2018, Leda successfully auditioned for the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers and has since performed in…

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Zachary Wynnyk

He/Him Zachary Wynnyk has been dancing with Shumka since 2015. He started training in the Shumka School when he was six years old and it was always his goal to dance with “big” Shumka one day. Zachary remembers all the excitement around the Shumka at 50 show, back when he was still in the School. Now with the Shumka 60…

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Vanessa Wynnyk

She/Her Vanessa Wynnyk has been dancing with Shumka for two years. After growing up in the Shumka School and watching Shumka perform, she knew it was the place she wanted to be. “The energy and passion Shumka brings to the stage has always inspired me.” The 60th Anniversary Tour will be Vanessa’s first with the company and she can’t wait…

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Ashlyn Waller

She/Her Summer 2020 marks Ashlyn Waller’s one year anniversary of dancing with Shumka, where she first got involved after hearing of the company through our involved alumni. She is extremely grateful to be able to represent the beautiful legacy that Shumka has created over the past 60 years and is honoured to be part of something so special.

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