In Fall of 2018, Shumka established a new program under the Shumka family, Studia Shumka. This junior performing ensemble acts as a bridging program between the Shumka School of Dance and the professional Shumka company. Many of the dancers are also Junior Instructors in the Shumka School of Dance.
These emerging young artists train over ten hours per week in Ukrainian, character, ballet and contemporary dance, and have built a repertoire for performances throughout the community. On occasion they train, rehearse and perform with the professional Shumka dance company, in anticipation of their evolution into the next step of the Shumka Family.
DANCERS
Samuel Boyko
Hope Hutskal
Brooklyn Pattullo
Maria Staszko
Ava Vretenar
Orianna Wacko
Nathan Yost
DIRECTOR
The Director of Studia Shumka is Alyssa Eugenio. She is officially the head of the ensemble and the key point of communication between the Studia dancers and other aspects of the Shumka organization.
Alyssa began her dance career with training in Ukrainian and ballet. Since then, she has also trained in tap, jazz, and hip hop. Since becoming a member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, she has performed internationally in Ukraine and China, as well as across Canada with the company.
During her time in Shumka, she has been fortunate to be part of many aspects of the organization. She is currently the company Artistic Coordinator and a member of the Artistic Committee.
Alyssa has had the opportunity to work with notable choreographers including John Pichlyk, Viktor Lytvynov, Dave Ganert, Jean Marc Genereux, and artists of the Virsky National Folk Dance Ensemble of Ukraine.
Some highlights of Alyssa’s dancing career in Shumka include: performing in the Kyiv Opera House in Shumka’s Cinderella (2007); completing 23 shows across China in SHUMKA at 50! (2011); performing Hopak at the Bloor Street Festival in Toronto (2014); the world premiere of Kobzar (2016); performing alongside national artists of Virsky and the Kyiv Ballet in Shumka’s Nutcracker (2011-2021); and most recently preparing for Shumka On Tour, Shumka’s 60th anniversary tour.
Male Instructors: Brenden Kuzma, Nicolas Pacholok
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Wednesdays
Boys Ballet with Tamsin Carreck 5:00pm – 6:45pm
Girls Ballet with Tasha Orysiuk 5:00pm – 6:45pm
Thursdays
Core with Alyssa Eugenio and Nic Pacholok 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Fridays
Contemporary with Stephanie Lilley 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Saturdays
Core with Alyssa Eugenio and Brenden Kuzma 10:15am – 1:15pm
Sunday Once Per Month
Participation in Shumka Rehearsals
PERFORMANCES & TOURING
Past Performances
BRAVO! (Calgary, AB); Kaleido Festival (Edmonton,AB); Deep Freeze Festival (Edmonton, AB); UFest (Edmonton, AB); Canada Day (Camrose, AB); Shumka School of Dance Winter Concerts and Year End Concerts (Edmonton, AB); Shriner’s Club (Edmonton, AB); Educational Performances (Edmonton, AB); St. John’s Malanka (Edmonton, AB).
Performances with Shumka
Southgate Mall Santa’s Arrival (Children’s Dance, Shumka’s Nutcracker); The Art of Cake Nutcracker High Tea; as costumed dancers in the Jubilee Auditoria Lobby for Shumka’s Mosquito’s Wedding and Shumka’s Nutcracker.
Studia Shumka is building its repertoire and is available for public performances. Please contact darka.tarnawsky@shumka.com if you are interested.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about Studia Shumka, please contact alyssa.eugenio@shumka.com
