With 45 years of dance to his credit, Dave Ganert has become one of Canada’s leading choreographers and directors. Mr. Ganert’s extensive accumulated training in Ukrainian, ballet, character, modern and theatre can be seen in many of his creations. Over the course of his career, Mr. Ganert has instructed 20 dance schools to more than 3,000 students, instructed workshops all over Canada, United States, Ukraine and China, to various ages, and has adjudicated multiple festivals across the country. In 1991, Mr. Ganert had the privilege of joining the world renowned Ukrainian Shumka Dancers and performed in more than 800 shows locally, nationally and around the world. Dave was a part of Shumka for a quarter century firstly as a dancer and then served as Shumka’s Resident Choreographer for 13 years, Principle for 11 years, Associate Artistic Director for seven years, Artistic Director for six years and guest choreographer for three years. Along with the many productions Mr. Ganert was a part of creating; he co-developed an extensive summer dance program for youth and created Canada’s first Intensive Division of Ukrainian Dance. Mr. Ganert’s innovative artistic talents and choreography has also gained him much recognition and numerous scholarships and awards throughout Canada including Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal honouring his significant contributions and achievements by a Canadian. Mr. Ganert’s passion and refreshing perspective to dance continues to captivate the admiration of audiences all over the globe including Jean-Marc Généreux, of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, which Mr. Ganert collaborated with in a tribute piece recognizing the struggle and celebrating the triumph of people living with Multiple Sclerosis. In 2013, Dave joined the Edmonton Opera as a movement consultant in Eugene Onegin, was the choreographer for the 2015 production of The Merry Widow and guest choreographer for the 2020 production of The Marriage of Figaro. In 2023, Mr. Ganert directed and choreographed The Nutcracker for the St. Paul & District Arts Foundation which featured over 70 dancers from across Alberta. Mr. Ganert currently directs the St. Paul Desna Ukrainian Dancers and Athabasca Ukrainian Folk Dance Club and is a guest choreographer for the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from Winnipeg and Yalenka Ukrainian Dancers from Prince George. One choreographic and performance highlight was the touring productions of A Royal Christmas when Mr. Ganert joined Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charlotte Church, Robert Goulet, Shirley Jones and Andrea Bocelli with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, Westminster Choir, the Kyiv Ballet, and artists from the Bolshoi, Royal Ballet of London, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet which toured throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Ganert has also worked with the Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble from Kyiv, Ukraine as part of Sulyma Production Inc. and Shumka’s production of Clara’s Dream. Dave Ganert is a psychology graduate at the University Of Alberta where he spent two years working with Alberta Family and Social Services working with youth and was part of the suicide prevention team. Prior to focusing on Child Psychology, Dave spent time in Social Psychology. Mr. Ganert continues to share his high technical standard and creative talents, boundless energy and commitment to a rich culture which has made him a much respected member of the arts community. His natural talent for movement and composition combined with his incredible passion for dance and culture will continue to grow and guide his artistic success. Dave is excited to return to the Shumka family instructing at the Shumka School of Dance.

dibgains@telusplanet.net