School Contacts
June Eeles, Programs Administrator
780-455-9559 ext. 221
Annette Bidniak, General Manager
780-455-9559 ext. 222
Dave Ganert, Artistic Director
780-455-9559 ext. 225
Most Recent
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Important Dates
School of Dance Spring Show - Jubilee Auditorium
May 15, 2011
Shumka School Open House
September 20, 2011
Shumka School Open House
September 22, 2011
First Day of Dance Classes
September 26, 2011
Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance
A Step-by-Step, Guided Tour of the Dance Discipline
Ukrainian dance outside of Ukraine, with its long and rich past, now joins alongside other dance disciplines such as ballet, jazz, tap, modern and Highland, with a prescribed syllabus for instruction, instructor certification, and student examination.
Shumka's Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance
Shumka's Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance is the first of its kind - a thoroughly researched, Ukrainian dance-training program for dancers aged 6 and older, that combines the disciplines of Ukrainian character dance with classical ballet, reflecting the characteristic style of Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Exams are offered to students in the program in order to build confidence and provide students with a sense of achievement and an indication of their dance ability. Participation in student examinations is optional, but highly recommended for providing a goal towards which a student can work.
Although dancers may study any of the grades at any given pace, the complete syllabus is designed for chronological instruction over a minimum of 9 years, suggesting earliest completion by 15-16 years of age. Based on the technical level of the students involved, Syllabus material may also be appropriate for dancers beyond the age of 16, including those near, or at, the entry level for Canada's senior Ukrainian dance ensembles.
Authored by Shumka alum, Douglas Rachinski, Shumka's syllabus addresses the need for a formally prepared, developmentally structured Ukrainian dance training program; one that ensures an orderly progression in the dancer’s training, from one level of development to the next, regardless of change in instructor or training location.
This consistency is achieved by two things:
- first, using a standard vocabulary for the given movements, that is understood by both Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian speaking users, that is literally descriptive and traditionally accurate to the given movements.
- and second, creating a standard technique for the dance movements, giving consideration to past influences of professionals, ensembles and other contributors culturally, historically and geographically.
The Syllabus has the following program features:
- Extensive Ukrainian dance and classical ballet vocabularies with prescribed techniques.
- Set exercises or prepared dance combinations in both barre and centre settings, providing instructors & students with ready made content of Ukrainian dance and classical ballet movements
- Customized musical arrangements for all set exercises and DVD resources for visual display, resulting in a streamlined, user-friendly product
- Instructor workshops, whereby instructors are trained in syllabus content and teaching strategies for their ongoing professional development, and successful implementation of the program
- Instructor examinations, held in conjunction with instructor workshops, whereby instructors are provided opportunity to certify as instructors of the Syllabus; and finally
- Student examinations, where the students have opportunity to be tested on their dance abilities by a qualified examiner of the Shumka Dance Syllabus Academy.
It is our intention that Shumka's Syllabus enhances the technical execution of Ukrainian dance, contributes to its enjoyment, and promotes its continued evolution for subsequent generations of Ukrainian dance professionals, practitioners, participants and enthusiasts.
Please check back for updates on future instructor workshops being planned. Contact June Eeles at 780.455.9559 for more information.