Orest Semchuk joined Shumka in 1961. Over the years, he transitioned from dancer to Artistic Director and choreographer. After retiring from those roles, Orest continued to support Shumka as the stage manager for many of Shumka’s productions. “When I took over, I started throwing in more ballet-type movements. Not for the dancing, but for the preciseness of movements. After that,…

“I was in Shumka as of March 2001. Ever since then, there wasn’t anything else. I had the greatest instructors in the world when I was growing up. They were my inspirations for wanting to be part of this company, and I’m so happy I did all the things that I did with Shumka.” Marco Eugenio served as president of…

“One of the moments that really sticks out to me was being a part of the original cast for what is now Shumka’s Nutcracker; back then we called it Clara’s Dream. As a dancer, to be a part of that, and to get to dance with your idols (from Virsky and Kyiv Ballet) was just amazing.” Laura Stachniak danced during…

“I came to Edmonton from Innisfree, moved from the country and was playing football, trying to make a football team, when I heard about this thing called the Shumka Dancers. I tried out, I made Shumka, and Shumka got an engagement to go to Expo 67. So, I handed off my last football, and put on the boots and became…

“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…

“You find out who you are as a person, you find out who your friends are, you bond as a company on tour. Some of the best times of my life were on that stage. It’s an opportunity the kids [in the company] today deserve, to share that gift.” Les Sereda joined Shumka in 1991, performing with the company in numerous productions…

“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…

“I’m very much looking forward to touring with Shumka on the production side of things…once you’re here, you never leave. It’s in my blood, it’s what I do.” Trinity Chopyk joined Shumka in 2001. She toured China three times with the company, and danced as part of Shumka’s 50th Anniversary performances. Throughout her 15-year career, Trinity remained highly involved with wardrobe, sitting on the Artistic Committee and serving as Costume Director.…

“The fundraising is so important. From the costumes to the music to the studio space, we need everyone’s support to keep [Shumka] going.” Russ and Nadine Samycia met dancing for Shumka in the 1980s. After successful careers, they retired from dancing to start a family. Now their children, Johnnie and Katie, are both in the midst of their careers with Shumka, having met their partners Stefania and…

“The passion was always there…there were always things to do, and it was always exciting with Shumka.” Gordon and Marion Ostapchuk have been around Shumka for nearly as long as Shumka has been around. Joining in 1961, Marion went on to spend 42 years instructing multiple generations of Ukrainian dancers; at one point, her students made up the majority of the company. One of her earliest students was…