Our Mission

Shumka is a registered charitable society which presents full-length, professional dance theatre touring productions, as well as intimate concert repertoire, across Canada and around the world. These productions marry the genre of Ukrainian dance with classical and contemporary movement, to create dramatic storylines which have become recognized as distinctively Shumka-style. Veteran dance writers such as Pamela Anthony write: “Shumka has turned the idea of folk dance into a living breathing art form, and emerged as one of the most contemporary dance companies around”. (Edmonton Journal)

Shumka School of Dance is recognized in Edmonton and in Canada as a benchmark for progressive and caring Ukrainian dance training committed to:

- engaging young people from all heritage backgrounds in the arts;

- fostering a love for a broad scope of Ukrainian dance and music;

- providing solid dance training for young people whose interests in dancing are purely recreational in nature, as well as for young people who have a desire to continue to dance, either in Ukrainian dance with Shumka, or in other dance disciplines.

Please give your support to our Operating Fund, our New Works Development Fund, or the Shumka School of Ukrainian Dance.

About UKRAINIAN SHUMKA DANCERS

Shumka uses its 50 year history to create a broad scope of original dance works and original music built upon the foundations of:

- the Canadian life experiences of Shumka’s artists;

- the creative inclusion of world dance forms as part of Canadian cultural life;

- the rich Alberta heritage of Ukrainian folk and urban culture; and,

- the realization of the innovative dreams of the company’s creative partnerships with other professional, international artists.