Rachel has been dancing in Shumka since the spring of 2022. Throughout her time in the company, she has danced across Canada on tours such as Shumka On Tour, Mosquito’s Wedding, Nutcracker, and Whirlwind Summer. She also had the opportunity to perform in the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s Nutcracker as a guest performer from Shumka in December 2024.

Starting her dance journey at the age of 3, Rachel has trained in various dance styles, including RAD ballet (having completed her Advanced 2 exam in 2022), tap, jazz, contemporary, and Ukrainian dance. Being a part of the children’s cast in Alberta Ballet’s Nutcracker sparked Rachel’s interest in dancing professionally later in life. Her love of ballet and Ukrainian dance/culture, combined with a desire to continue dancing at a high calibre after high school, led her to join Shumka.

In the spring of 2026, Rachel will graduate from Campus Saint-Jean (University of Alberta’s francophone campus) with a degree in secondary education, specializing in science, mathematics, and Catholic theology. She is excited to start her teaching career in French immersion at the high school level.