Peter has been part of Shumka for more than two decades, beginning his Ukrainian dance journey at the age of eight when he enrolled at the Shumka School of Dance. With dedication and unwavering commitment, he trained extensively in Ukrainian folk, ballet, and contemporary styles, eventually joining the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers in 2008.
Since 2013, Peter has served as Principal of the Shumka School of Dance, where he has transformed the School into a dynamic centre of excellence—one known for high-calibre training, artistry, performance, and positivity. He designed and implemented a developmental pathway that consistently produces ensemble-ready dancers. In 2019, he founded Studia Shumka, a developmental ensemble created to retain dancers after graduation and prepare them for professional and pre-professional ensembles.
Peter has led the redevelopment of the Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance, built one of Canada’s most successful Ukrainian dance camps, and most recently planned and executed the Shumka Dance Festival—Edmonton’s first Ukrainian dance competition, held at the Jubilee Auditorium. Across all his projects, Peter has remained committed to collaboration and mentorship, empowering others and cultivating the next generation of community leaders.
For the past 20 years, Peter has passionately imparted his knowledge and expertise in classes of all ages at the Shumka School of Dance. His specialization in training the youngest of dancers, ages 3 to 5, led him to develop a unique training program tailored to their needs.
Peter’s dedication to his craft has taken him around the world. He has performed in Ukraine, Poland, China, and across Canada. He held prominent roles in iconic Shumka productions such as Shumka’s Nutcracker, the Shumka @ 50 tours (including 52 performances across China and Canada), and the remount of Travelling Chumaky. He has also performed as a special guest with Edmonton’s Citie Ballet and received training from celebrated artists including Dave Ganert, John Pichlyk, Viktor Lytvynov, Jean-Marc Généreux, Les Sereda, Tasha Orysiuk, Citie Ballet, and the Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble of Ukraine.
Peter has made several enriching trips to Ukraine to perform and deepen his knowledge of Ukrainian dance. One of these trips included touring the Central and Southern regions as part of the Ukrainian Dance Instructor Workshop Tour. He is a certified instructor with the Shumka Dance Syllabus Academy. In 2013, he led sessions at Brigham Young University in Utah with the International Folk Dance Ensemble, and in 2021, he presented Pre-Beginner and Beginner level workshops for the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association (AUDA).
Beyond his artistic contributions, Peter has taken on significant administrative roles within the organization. He has served on the Shumka artistic and standards committees, held the position of Costume Director, and has managed the Shumka Summer Dance Camps since 2010. From 2011 to 2013, he pursued studies in Arts and Cultural Management at MacEwan University. His innovative mindset also led him to develop a mobile app for Shumka, improving accessibility and community engagement with the organization. One of his most meaningful contributions has been expanding access to Ukrainian dance for students with disabilities—fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and strengthens the Ukrainian dance community.
Peter combines a hands-on, solutions-focused approach to leadership with a natural aptitude for technology and organizational strategy. Through his leadership, artistic excellence, and deep commitment to inclusivity and mentorship, Peter continues to shape the future of Ukrainian dance and inspire generations within the Shumka community and beyond.
