Shumka Names New Artistic Team! 

After the great success of the world premiere of Kobzar in April of 2016 and the Kobzari project with the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus this Spring, longtime Shumka Artistic Director, then Creative Director John Pichlyk will be moving to an advisory role in the company. As Chair of the Artistic Resource Committee, John will continue to provide vision to Shumka and its projects-in-development including Ancestors & Elders, Mosquito’s Wedding and the company’s 60th Anniversary production. The Artistic Resource Committee is made up of other artistic mentors and specialists who bring various areas of expertise and insight to the table. Said Pichlyk, “Shumka works best as team of artists, working on the development and implementation of original works. Maintaining relevance while respecting our cultural heritage is an important part of our vision – a vision of many who can contribute in various meaningful ways.”

Current Shumka dancer Joe Hoffman has officially been named Artistic Associate of the company as the liaison between all facets of the Artistic Team (including Shumka Executive Director, the Artistic Resource Committee, Creative Directors, Dancer Artistic Committee and the dancers themselves). “Joe has a unique artistic mentality. Through this role as Artistic Associate, we will mentor Joe and give him the tools to become an artistic communicator, leader and creator.”

Shumka alumnists and repetiteurs Tasha Orysiuk and Paul Olijnyk have been named the new Creative Directors of Shumka. Leading company training, rehearsals, and performance preparedness, Tasha and Paul bring years of ballet and Ukrainian dance experience to their new positions. “As repetiteurs in Shumka for the last year, we have seen that Tasha and Paul make an excellent team with complementary skills and creativity to lead the dancers on an ongoing basis,” said Pichlyk.

“I am so pleased that we have assembled this dream team of artists to take us into our 60th anniversary in 2019, and perhaps beyond. Shumka believes in the “power of we” and realizes the great resources we have among us to take us to the next step in our ongoing evolution,” said Executive Director Darka Tarnawsky. “I have utmost respect for the unique talents of John, Joe, Tasha and Paul, and know they will provide excellent leadership and inspiration for our company of dancers. Our audiences will be the ultimate beneficiaries of their work as Shumka’s new Artistic Team.”  
Steel-Craft Receives Mayors Award for the Arts 

Congratulations to Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd for their May 1st honour at the Edmonton Mayor's Celebration of the Arts. Presented annually by the Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton, The Mayor’s Awards highlight corporate supporters and artistic/management leaders in the Edmonton arts scene.

Nominated by Shumka in the category of "Innovative Support by a Business in the Arts," Steel-Craft has been a champion of Shumka for over four decades. From helping us with props, sets, and jobs for our dancers, to storage, meeting space, and of course their generous donations... we can't thank Kim and her team enough!
Shumka School Shines in Whirlwind Spring 

The Shumka School of Dance presented its year-end concert on May 7th at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. With more than 200 students in 35 colourful regional numbers, the afternoon was both entertaining and inspiring. Many said it was the School’s “best ever” presentation.

Thank you to School Principal Peter Eeles; Programs Administrator June Eeles; and their team of talented Instructors, Junior instructors, and Wardrobe Team for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Thank you also to the many backstage volunteers who helped the event run so smoothly!

The year-end show was bitter sweet for the graduates of the Grade 9 Syllabus Class who successfully completed all levels of the Shumka School Program. May your joy of dance, hard work and talent take you far on the next leg of your dance journey!

Many students from the School continue their training in the summer with Spring Ballet classes, drop- in repertoire classes and Summer Camp programs. For more information about our 2017-18 Shumka School season, stay tuned to www.shumka.com in the coming weeks. 
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DANCE LEARN PLAY CREATE at Shumka Summer Dance Camps!

Register online @ shumka.com / 780.455.9559

DAY CAMPS

Held at Shumka Dance Centre: 10515 111 Street NW, Edmonton, AB

Shumka Mini’s Ages: 3-5 / July 10-14, July 17-21

The youngest “Shumka Dancers in training” will begin their journey of Ukrainian dance, as they are introduced to the culture, folklore and dance that go along with our rich Ukrainian heritage. All activities have a strong Ukrainian cultural focus, and campers will perform a full concert at the end of the week, including a full regional Ukrainian dance and an art show display.

July 10-14 Instructor: Kathy Rachmistruk

July 17-21 Instructor: Peter Eeles

Motion Mania Ages: 6-8 / July 10-14

Finally a Motion Mania for younger dancers! Campers will experience a variety of adventures such as laser tag, swimming, paddle boating, ice skating, and jumping at the trampoline park. This is paired with 15 hours of Ukrainian dance training and choreography, culminating in a dance concert at the end of the week for families.

Instructor: Kathy Rachmistruk

Motion Mania Ages: 9-12 / July 10-14

If you like being active and on the move, then this is the camp for you! Adventures include laser tag, go-carting, rock climbing, swimming, and a visit to the trampoline park. This is paired with 15 hours of Ukrainian dance training and choreography, culminating in a dance concert at the end of the week for families.

Instructor: Shelley Borowski

Shumka Stars Ages: 6-8, 9-12 / July 17-24

Campers experience a variety of “stage and theatre” activities, including acting, singing, playwriting, scenic painting, costume and prop design, and stage makeup. This is paired with 15 hours of Ukrainian dance training and choreography. During the week, these “Shumka Stars” use everything they learn from these activities and dancing sessions to create their own Ukrainian dance production! All activities for this camp are facilitated by Edmonton artist-actor-musician, Larissa Pohoreski.

Instructor: Tasha Orysiuk

Activity Facilitator: Larissa Pohoreski

Shumka Workshop Series Ages 13+ / August 21-25

For advanced dancers and instructors in training, explore the vastly diverse and unique regions of Ukraine with 6 hours per day of regional choreography, lexicon, and information. Learn ethnographic details from dance master Anna Kanevets about the costumes, traditions, customs, lexicon, and choreographies for the selected regions of Ukraine. Learn how choreography is created and how to teach these choreographies and steps to students.

Instructor: Anna Kanevets

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Held at Camp Oselia, Wabamun Lake, Range Road 53 & Highway 16, Edmonton, AB

Overnight X-Treme Junior: 10-13 (July 2-8 & August 6-12), Senior: 14+ (July 2-8)

Experience five (Junior) to six (Senior) hours per day of high-calibre Ukrainian dance training and regional choreography from Canada’s finest teachers and choreographers. Enjoy Ukrainian-themed activities including team challenges, water sports, swimming, camp fires, and the famous Kolomeyka night with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Delicious food, great fun, and memories to and friendships to last a lifetime.

July 2-8 Junior Camp Instructor: Shannon Gabrush

July 2-8 Senior Camp Instructor: Dave Ganert

August 6-12 Junior Camp Instructors: Peter Eeles, Laurelle Unger

Overnight X-Treme 10-Day MANIA Senior: 14+ (August 6-15)

If you’re looking for an extreme dance experience, then Overnight X-Treme MAINIA is the one for you! Experience all the great activities that Overnight X-Treme has to offer, PLUS 3 additional days, and campers will learn five dances from a variety of instructors, including one dance from the repertoire of Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers!