As Shumka’s Creative Directors, Tasha Orysiuk and Paul Olijnyk are so much more than repetiteurs. From choreographing and costuming, to arranging rehearsal schedules and even performing, they are involved in every single step of every production. In the past few years as Creative Directors, Tasha and Paul have continued to push Shumka to new limits. “Creative Directors of Shumka are…

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…

Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. has always had a special place in the heart of the Shumka community. Founder Art Mihalcheon always found ways of continued support for Shumka over the years, and his daughter and current owner Kim Mihalcheon continues that support today. From generous financial donations and ticket purchases for Shumka’s many productions, to storing merch, shipping props and…

When Barry Bilinsky got a call inviting him to research and co-direct Shumka’s Ancestors and Elders, he didn’t know what he was in for. With a theatre background, Barry’s expertise is in acting, not Ukrainian or Powwow dance. “When we first started, I felt like everyone was an expert, where I didn’t really know what I was doing. But later…

The first time Natalka Beaudoin (Stus) saw Shumka’s Hopak, she was brought to tears by the dancing and knew she had to be part of that magic. “It’s the perfect combination of visual spectacle, emotive music, and the dancers’ exuberance. Any one of those things can get you, but when you put all three together, it’s killer. And that’s the…

From working behind the scenes as a lighting technician at the Jube, Jeff Osterlin has experienced a side of Shumka not many people get to see. He worked his first Red Boots & Bubbly fundraiser in 2004, and got to know many of the dancers in Snow White and the Seven Gnomes of Christmas in 2006. He has been a…