Camp Staff 2007

All Shumka Summer Dance Camp instructors have danced with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers or other professional-level ensembles. They have extensive training and teaching experience and are knowledgeable about many Ukrainian rituals, customs, costumes and ethnography. See our featured instructor profiles for details.

Featured Instructors

Dave Ganert, Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Ukrainian Shumka Dancers and Artistic Director, Shumka School of Dance, has over twenty-six years of Ukrainian dance performance, direction, instruction and choreography to his credit. He has extensive training in Ukrainian, Ballet, Character, Jazz, Contemporary, and Modern dance.

Shane Gibson is a former member and past President of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, with whom he danced for 11 years. Mr. Gibson has training in Character, Classical, Jazz, Modern, Vocal Acting and Improvisation and teaches province wide.

Stacia Gordey is currently in her seventh year as a member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. An experienced teacher, Stacia has taught province-wide, with students ranging in age from 3 to 69! A former summer-dance camper herself, Stacia is looking forward to ensuring campers succeed and have fun. Stacia has extensive dance training in Ballet, Modern, Character, Tap and Jazz.

Jayleen Gordey - Shumka’s “Cinderella”! Jayleen has danced with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers since 2001 and has performed nationally and internationally, most recently alongside Andrea Bocelli in a tour of the United States. She has an extensive Ballet background and training in Flamenco and Modern. Currently a teacher for Shumka School’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels, Jayleen is always eager to inspire dancers to reach their greatest potential.

Murray Howell has 18 years of dance to his credit, four of them with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. He studied Ukrainian dance at the University of Alberta, and also has training in Ballet and Modern Dance. Mr. Howell has instructed with the Kupalo Ukrainian Dancers and in communities throughout rural Alberta. He currently instructs at the Shumka School of Dance.