We are excited to welcome your family into a school community built on Ukrainian dance, strong training, performance excellence, and a love of the arts. Whether your child is dancing once a week, entering the Intensive Division, studying ballet, or preparing for the next step in the Shumka family, our goal is to help every student grow with confidence, discipline, joy, and a sense of belonging.

It is the mission of the Shumka School of Dance (SSD) to nurture well-rounded, ballet-trained Ukrainian dancers with high performance levels, while providing all students with opportunities to grow and discover themselves. Through a planned curriculum-based program, Shumka School creates a welcoming, respectful, and inspiring environment where students can make friendships and build confidence, discipline, artistry, and a lifelong connection to the arts.

Shumka School of Dance has trained thousands of young dancers since it was founded in 1989. The School offers programming for dancers ages three and up, with a progressive pathway that supports students from their first classes through to advanced training and future opportunities within the Shumka family. 

Shumka School is proud to offer Canada’s only Ukrainian dance curriculum_, Shumka’s Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance, alongside Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet, and an Intensive Division Ukrainian dance program, all taught by professional and experienced teachers. Students perform at community events, competitions, and twice each season at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. The School also offers summer camps, spring classes, and youth leadership programs, including the Junior Instructor and Leader-in-Training programs.

• Progressive Pathway: Our planned progressive program takes students from School to performing company.
• Inclusive Community: We foster a warm and welcoming community atmosphere where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
• Diverse Programming: Our programs cater to a wide range of ages, starting from as young as three years old, and offer a variety of class options to suit different preferences, interests, and schedules.
• R.A.D. Ballet Training: We provide training in the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) ballet program, including opportunities for ballet examinations.
• Unique Ukrainian Dance Curriculum: We are proud to offer Canada’s only Ukrainian dance curriculum, known as Shumka’s Syllabus for Ukrainian Dance, providing a distinct and comprehensive approach to this art form.
• Youth Development: We offer the popular Junior Instructor and Leader-in-Training programs designed to empower and develop our youth.
• Exceptional Instructors: Our team consists of highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian dance instructors who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality training.
• Performance Opportunities: Students have the exciting opportunity to showcase their talents with two performances per season at the prestigious Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
• Shumka Productions: There are opportunities for students to actively participate in Shumka’s own productions.
• School-wide productions: Our large School-wide dance productions, including all-girls and all-boys dances, are truly special. These productions are typically organized every two to three years, not on an annual basis.

PRE BEGINNER & BEGINNER

The Pre Beginner (ages 3-4) and Beginner  (age 5) Program introduces young students to foundational movement, music, classroom structure, creativity, and performance in a positive and encouraging environment. Students learn a Ukrainian dance and perform at the Winter Concert and Year End Show. These classes are performance-focused but do not take part in competitions. At this age, dance is about much more than learning steps. Children learn to use their imagination, express themselves creatively, develop coordination, learn to follow instructions, and become comfortable in a class setting. Separating from a parent to attend class independently is also an important developmental milestone for young dancers. SSD fully supports each child through this process, recognizing that every child reaches this step at their own pace.

CORE PROGRAM

Beginning at age six, the Core Program provides high-quality Ukrainian dance training through Shumka’s Ukrainian Dance Syllabus.  All students participate in the Core Program and there is no audition requirement. Each Core class from Grades 1 to 9 includes both technical training and choreography, giving students a strong foundation while preparing them for performances, dance competitions, and continued growth within the School. Students in Grades 1 through 8 learn one choreographed dance each year, while Grade 9 students learn two dances. Families may also choose to add R.A.D. Ballet or Tricks class training to further support their dancer’s development, or audition for the Intensive Division.

INTENSIVE DIVISION

The Intensive Division is designed for students seeking a more advanced training experience with additional classes and higher expectations in Ukrainian dance, ballet, and performance. The program is by audition and generally includes three broad levels: Junior, Intermediate, and Advanced, with additional groupings within those levels, such as Advanced 1 and Advanced 2. Depending on age level, students may learn anywhere from two to four dances throughout the season. Students also take part in larger yearly projects featuring the full division, such as a large-scale Hopak or other program-wide choreography. At the highest levels, students also participate in the Shumka Repertoire class, which further develops performance experience, versatility, and readiness for future opportunities within the Shumka family and beyond.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Shumka School also offers a variety of additional programs that support student development beyond regular weekly classes. Studia Shumka provides advanced students with a bridge between the School and the professional Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, offering further training, performance opportunities, and connection to the broader Shumka organization. Students may also continue their training through Spring Classes and Shumka Summer Dance Camps, which provide additional opportunities to build technique, learn choreography, experience Ukrainian culture, and stay connected through dance. For older students, the Junior Instructor and Leader-in-Training programs offer meaningful leadership experience, mentorship, and the opportunity to give back to the next generation of dancers.

New and Prospective Shumka School Families

Please contact June Eeles at the Shumka Office (780.455.9559) for your class placement guide sheet and for more information.

Placement and Registration

Students are most successful when they are working at the appropriate level, where they can build strong technique, proper fundamentals, and confidence. Placement is highly individual. Some students thrive when challenged in a higher-level class, while others develop best in a group where they feel confident and supported. Our goal is to offer appropriate opportunities to every student while helping them continue to enjoy dance and progress at a safe pace.

At the end of each dance season, parents are emailed a Class Placement outlining their child’s recommended classes, schedule, and instructor details for the upcoming year. This guide is used to complete online registration at shumka.com.

Core Program placement is based on age and ability. Intensive Division placement is determined through an audition. Ballet placement is determined by the Ballet Mistress, with two syllabus ballet classes per week required for students enrolled in pointe or ballet choreography classes, and for all students at the Grade 5 R.A.D. level and above. Pre Beginner and Beginner placement is based on age, with Pre Beginners typically ages three and four, and Beginners age five. 

The Shumka Dance Centre in Edmonton features large, custom-designed dance studios with sprung flooring, Marley dance floors, full-length mirrors, and air-conditioning. The facility also includes change rooms, washrooms, a kitchen with a microwave and fridge, a costume room, and spacious parent sitting areas. Sherwood Park offers a large dance space with sprung flooring, a Marley dance floor, mirrors, washrooms, kitchen, and a parent sitting area.

Shumka Dance Centre
10515 111 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5H 3E8

St. Sophia’s Parish Hall
53012 Range Rd 224 #25
Strathcona County, AB T8E 2K5

GIRLS

Girls should wear the required bodysuit, tights, skirt, and footwear for their class level. Hair must be pulled back off the face and styled in a tight bun for all classes and performances. 

Pre Beginner – Grade 2 Certificate

• Pink convertible tights for all classes.
• Black short sleeve bodysuit with rounded neckline for Pre Beginner and Beginner or black high-neck tank bodysuit for Grade 1 and 2.
• Black pull-on skirt for all classes.
• Red full sole leather dance slippers for all classes (with shoelace strings tucked in).

Grade 2 Diploma – Grade 6

• Pink convertible tights for all classes.
• Black high-neck tank bodysuit for all classes.
• Black pull-on skirt for all classes except Ballet. 
• Tan Elastabootie shoe for all classes except Ballet. 
• Pink full sole leather slippers for Ballet-only.

Grade 7 – 9

• Pink convertible tights for all classes. 
• Black camisole bodysuit for all classes. To commemorate the graduating year, Grade 9 students may wear colourful bodysuits of their choice during all classes.
• Black character skirt for all classes except Ballet. Black shorts may still be worn.
• Tan Elastabootie shoe for all classes except Ballet. 
• Pink full sole leather slippers for Ballet-only.

BOYS

Boys should wear a plain white t-shirt tucked in, plain black shorts, black ankle socks, and the appropriate footwear for each class. Boys with long hair should have it pulled back and off the face for all classes and performances.

For Pre-Beginner, Beginner, Grade 1, and Grade 2 Certificate, boys wear black full-sole leather dance slippers for all classes and performances, and knee-length black socks for performances.

From Grade 2 Diploma and up, boys wear black Elastabootie shoes for Core and Intensive classes, and black full sole leather ballet slippers for Ballet classes. 

For Grade 7 and above, black pants may be worn for Ukrainian classes, but shorts are required for Ballet.

Shumka is committed to providing a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe environment for all students, families, instructors, staff, volunteers, and guests. Every member of the SSD community is expected to contribute positively to the School and help create an environment where students can learn, grow, and achieve their best.

This Code of Conduct applies whenever students, parents, volunteers, instructors, and staff are participating in SSD classes, rehearsals, performances, festivals, competitions, camps, travel, meetings, events, or any activity where they are representing Shumka. It also applies to behaviour outside of SSD activities, including online behaviour, when that behaviour negatively affects the School community or the reputation of SSD.

All members of the Shumka community are expected to treat others with respect, kindness, and fairness. Students should attend class regularly and punctually, arrive prepared, follow the uniform, cooperate with instructors and staff, respect the facilities and property of others, and represent Shumka in a positive manner.

Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, exclusion, hazing, or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated. This includes negative comments about another person’s dancing, appearance, ability, race, culture, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, family, or personal circumstances. Students are expected to support one another, avoid gossip or public criticism, and help create a positive class environment. 

Physical aggression, unwanted physical contact, threats, unsafe behaviour, theft, damage to property, possession or use of illegal or restricted substances, and any behaviour that puts another person’s safety or well-being at risk are considered serious violations of this Code of Conduct. 

Shumka community members are also expected to use social media responsibly. Students and families must not post false, harmful, private, or defamatory information about another person, the School, or another organization. Photos, videos, or comments involving SSD students, instructors, classes, rehearsals, or performances should not be shared publicly without permission. Social media must not be used to bully, harass, exclude, embarrass, or publicly air personal concerns. 

If a student witnesses or experiences bullying, harassment, discrimination, or unsafe behaviour, they are encouraged to speak with an instructor, the Principal, or trusted adult. SSD will take concerns seriously and will work to support those affected while addressing the behaviour appropriately.

Unacceptable behaviour may result in follow-up from School leadership. Consequences may include a conversation with the student and/or parents, temporary removal from class or activities, loss of privileges, restorative action, reimbursement for damaged property, changes to participation in performances or events, suspension from SSD activities, or removal from the program. Consequences will be determined based on the age and maturity of the student, the seriousness of the behaviour, the circumstances involved, and whether the behaviour has occurred before.

By participating in the Shumka School of Dance and all its related programs, students and families agree to uphold the values of respect, responsibility, safety, teamwork, and excellence that help make Shumka a strong and positive community.