Peter has been with the Shumka family for more than 20 years. He first started Ukrainian dance at the age of eight, when he entered the Shumka School of Dance and continued as a student for seven years. He is now a retired member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Peter has been an instructor with Shumka School since 2006, teaching for 14 years at both the Edmonton Studios and the satellite school in Sherwood Park. In Shumka, Peter has been lucky enough to work with Dave Ganert, John Pichlyk, Viktor Lytvynov, Jean-Marc Généreux, Citie Ballet, and the Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble of Ukraine. Since achieving full member status with the company in 2009, he has performed in many well-known Shumka performances and tours, including Clara’s Dream, the 52-show Shumka at 50 China and Canadian tours, and the remount of the Shumka classic, Travelling Chumaky as one of the leads. Administratively, Peter served on the Shumka artistic, standards, and executive committees and held the position of Shumka Costumes Director. Peter has managed the Shumka Summer Dance Camps since 2010, moving into the role of School Principal in 2013. He studied Arts and Cultural Management at Grant MacEwan University. Peter has travelled to Ukraine three times to perform and study Ukrainian dance. He is a certified instructor with the Shumka Dance Syllabus Academy and has attended numerous Ukrainian Dance Workshop Conferences. In 2013, he travelled to Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, Utah, to lead workshops with the International Folk Dance Ensemble. Peter has created a phone application for Shumka. His strong leadership skills, along with his ability to motivate and inspire youth, will serve Shumka well as it continues on its next journey. Mr. Peter’s favourite regions of Ukraine are Zakarpattia and Central Ukraine.