Staff

Dave Ganert

Artistic Director

Tel: 780-455-9559 ext. 225
Email: dave.ganert@shumka.com

Dave Ganert’s artistic work is distinguished by his creative inventiveness and a passion to explore the inter-relationship of Ukrainian Dance, ballet, and world dance forms. Combining his insights into the human spirit from his studies in a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, his drive to be innovative and his commitment to working with original music for his dance creations, Ganert continues to bring a fresh Canadian perspective to distinguish Shumka as an important Canadian dance company.  A prolific choreographer, Ganert has choreographed more than 20 new works for Shumka in the last four years. His most recent choreographic work is Shumka’s 50^th Anniversary Hopak set for 58 dancers and danced to an original symphonic score by Kyiv composer, Yuri Shevchenko and original costume designs by Maria Levitska of Ukraine’s National Ballet and Opera. 

Gordon Gordey

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 780-455-9559 ext. 226
Email: gordon.gordey@shumka.com

After serving for 10 years as Shumka’s Artistic Director, Gordey brings more than 40 years of experience as a dancer, writer, choreographer, stage director, and arts manager to the stewardship of Shumka’s mandate. Gordey has forged long-standing creative partnerships with senior Canadian and Ukrainian artists from every field of the arts. His dance collaborations, including Shumka's Cinderella, Pathways to Hopak, Shumka Remembers - a Tribute to the Fallen, and The Eve of Kupalo, have been seen by more people than any Canadian-born stage director working in the Ukrainian dance genre.  In 2005, Gordey conceptualized and implemented the major arts celebration events for Alberta’s Centennial including the visit of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II.  Gordey studied ballet with Ruth Carse (founder Alberta Ballet) and earned B. Ed., M.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Theatre Criticism and Stage Direction. He is a proud member of ACTRA and a Honourary Lifetime Member of Shumka. His tireless commitment to Alberta’s Ukrainian community was recently recognized with a Hetman Award. His artistic and arts consulting work led to his being recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the development of theatre in Alberta in Theatre 100: Celebrating 100 theatre practitioners over 100 years.

Annette Bidniak

General Manager

Tel: 780-455-9559 ext. 222
Email: annette.bidniak@shumka.com

Annette Bidniak is Shumka’s new General Manager. She is a proud Shumka alumna who was awarded a Membership with Distinction in 1994. Annette joined Shumka in 1972 and for 16 years, contributed as a dancer, choreographer, executive member, and standards committee member. She taught Ukrainian dancing in six rural Alberta communities for several years and adjudicated at two major Ukrainian dance competitions. Many of her students are also Shumka alumni.

Born and raised in the north-eastern Alberta village of Willingdon, Annette is best-known for the 16 years she served as a spokesperson for the Edmonton Police Service. She made numerous appearances over the years on television and radio and as a guest speaker at conferences and media relations training courses across Alberta, Canada and the United States.

Annette is an award-winning communicator who has been honoured with several awards including the Mark of Excellence from the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada and the President’s Award from the  International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators’ Association. The provincial government recruited Annette to their team of Communication Directors as a senior manager in 2005. She led the communications branch in several departments managing staff, budgets and public information campaigns.

With a life-long passion for dance and music, Annette is thrilled to have come “full circle” and have the opportunity to contribute her skills and experience to the Shumka team as it embarks on the next 50 years of excellence!

June Eeles

Programs Administrator

Tel: 780-455-9559 ext. 221
Email: june.eeles@shumka.com

June’s background in the Arts began at the University of Alberta, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. She became affiliated with the Shumka School of Dance 11 years ago, when she brought her three boys to begin their Ukrainian dance training.

She believed right from the start that Shumka School was the best place for Ukrainian dance. Now, after more than seven years as Programs Administrator, she endeavors to provide a smooth-running operation so that Shumka School will continue to thrive. Her top priority is to make sure that everyone feels important and valued as a member of the Shumka family.

Nadine Stefiuk

Bookkeeper

Tel: 780-455-9559 ext. 223
Email: nadine.stefiuk@shumka.com

With a background in office administration, bookkeeping and payroll, Nadine joined the Shumka family in September 2008. She has a passion for organization and office order, which has led to great respect from Shumka’s service providers. A dancer herself since the age of five, Nadine has performed in Canada and throughout Asia with another Edmonton-based ensemble. She volunteers annually at the Pysanka Festival in Vegreville, Alberta. Nadine’s other passion is volleyball: she coaches at Ardrossan High School, is a certified referee, serves on the board of the Edmonton Volleyball Association, and plays on an adult women’s team.