Did You Know...
Shumka’s Cinderella has twice toured Hong Kong and China including performing in the prestigious Shanghai Grand Theatre.
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Staff
Shumka is very proud of our staff, and the contributions that they make to the company and to our community, bringing world-class dance to audiences across Canada and around the world. Clients who hire and work with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers often comment on the professionalism of all of their dealings with Shumka, and how easy and enjoyable it is to work with our company.
The Shumka School of Dance also has a stellar representation for exceptional customer service. Year after year, evaluations submitted by Shumka School families indicate that they truly appreciate our staff's investment in their children, and in getting to knowing each family, making sure that they receive excellent value for their money, both in the quality of the dance instruction and the administrative services provided by Shumka School.
Our door is always open and we welcome the chance to get to know you, and for you to get to know the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers.
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 50th 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!
Suzanna Brytan
Director of Development & Project Management
Tel: 780-952-1311
Email: suzanna.brytan@shumka.com
Extensive experience in arts management, a decade of community development with Grant MacEwan University's Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre, and 15 years of entrepreneurship and small business operation of HomeStay Alberta to her credit, Suzanna Brytan brings nearly two decades of skill and expertise to her work with Shumka and the Shumka School of Dance.
An exceptional ambassador for the company since 2003, Suzanna’s efforts have increased corporate and community goodwill towards Shumka, resulting in a significant increase in donor support and, consequently, Shumka's ability to work with other professional artists and major arts companies in Alberta, Canada, and abroad. Her leadership and contribution to raising Edmonton's profile through her work with Shumka were recognized in 2009 when she was selected by a panel of Edmonton leaders as one of Avenue Magazine's inaugural Top 40 Under 40 laureates.
Suzanna is passionate about creating new opportunities for Shumka’s dancers and creative teams, elevating the level of the company’s art, and enabling Shumka to remain at the forefront of the province’s arts scene. Her search for, and development of, new artistic opportunities for the company continues to provide incomparable dance experiences for all of Shumka’s current, and budding, artists and audiences.
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.