She/Her

Mara Palahniuk began her dance training at the age of three, specializing in ballet and Ukrainian dance. Her passion for dance has led her to study and perform internationally, including with prestigious institutions such as the Alberta Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet in New York, and the Royal Academy of Dance in London. Throughout her career, Mara has explored a wide range of dance forms, from ballet to ballroom, Latin, character, and Martha Graham modern dance. Despite her diverse training, she has always felt a deep connection to her Ukrainian heritage, which inspired her to join Shumka in 2015. Since then, she has been an active member, performing professionally and touring across Canada and the United States, sharing the rich tradition of Ukrainian dance.

Mara holds a degree from the University of Alberta with a major in English and minors in Creative Writing, Ukrainian Culture, Language and Literature, and Women and Gender Studies. She also earned a degree in Education from Concordia University of Edmonton, and has just completed her first year as an elementary school teacher.

Outside of dance and teaching, Mara enjoys reading, nurturing plants, golfing, and spending time with her dog, Kozak.