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
Cayden Boyce
Samuel Boyko
Zoriana Ferdycz
Danica Glagau
Hope Hutskal
Joanne Jerebic
Marko Lepki
Evan Ludwick
Sofia Nohas
Tamara Nohas
Brooklyn Pattullo
Cowan Senko
Ellie Starko
Maria Staszko
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 studying Ukrainian and ballet, and has supplemented her training to include tap, jazz, and hip hop. Since becoming a member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, she has performed with the company internationally in Ukraine, China, and the USA, as well as across Canada.
Select dance credits include: performing in the Kyiv Opera House in Shumka’s Cinderella (2007); completing 23 shows across China in SHUMKA at 50! (2011); 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 (2011-2023); Shumka On Tour (2022); Lesya Ukrainka (2024); and The National Ballet of Ukraine’s USA Tour, Hope of Ukraine (2024).
Alyssa has also had the opportunity to contribute choreography and choreographic adaptations for the company which has included school performances, fundraising galas, Classic Hopak, the 30th Anniversary of Classic Hopak, and for major productions like Chumaky, Katrusia, Kobzar, Shumka’s Nutcracker, and most recently, Lesya Ukrainka.
During her time in Shumka, Alyssa has been fortunate to be a part of many aspects of the organization including SSD Instructor, Recreation Coordinator with SSDC, Artistic Committee member, and Artistic Coordinator. In addition to her role as Studia Director, Alyssa is a Repetiteur and Company Manager for Shumka.
Male Instructors: Dave Ganert, Brenden Kuzma
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Wednesdays
Boys Ballet 5:00pm – 6:45pm
Girls Ballet 5:00pm – 6:45pm
Thursdays
Core 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturdays
Ballet 9:00 – 10:30am
Core 10:30am – 1:30pm
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); Van bLoc Party (Edmonton, AB), Callingwood Farmers Market (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
