Allister Malin

Allister started his dance career with Shumka in 2024. He began his dance training in Saskatoon with Rushnychok and Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble, where he danced through high school, graduating in the spring of 2024. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to perform in Ukraine, Croatia, Poland, and across Western Canada, and has taken part in Ukrainian dance workshops…

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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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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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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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