He/Him Les Sereda began his dance career at the age of 12 and joined Shumka four years later. Throughout his ten years in the company, he had the privilege of working with such artists as John Pichlyk, Viktor Lytvynov, Brian Webb and Yuri Shevchenko.  He toured Canada and the United States in Shumka’s productions of Absolutely Shumka and Cinderella and was honoured to…

She/Her Tasha Orysiuk is a highly respected and accomplished dance educator, adjudicator and choreographer in Canada, having trained extensively in various disciplines under internationally-renowned artists in Canada, the United States, England, and Ukraine during her dance career. Over the years, Tasha achieved her Advanced Dance Certificates in tap, ballet, jazz, modern, and national dancing, in addition to holding numerous other…

He/Him Toronto-born Paul Olijnyk began his association with Shumka in 2001 when he moved to Edmonton and joined the company. Since then, Paul has taught Ukrainian dance throughout the province of Alberta; adjudicates dance festivals throughout Western Canada; and has been a guest choreographer for dance ensembles in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. He is one of the key instructors…

Alyssa began her dance career with training in Ukrainian and ballet. Since then she has also trained in tap, jazz and hip hop. Alyssa is an alumnus of the Shumka School of Dance and has been an instructor with the School since 2007. Alyssa joined the Shumka Dancers as a member in 2006. She has performed internationally in Ukraine and…

Nicolas Pacholok began his dance education at the Shumka School of Dance, and upon graduation in 2016, he was offered an apprenticeship with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Since then, Nicolas’ dance career with Shumka has included performances across Canada and the United States, dancing various roles in Shumka’s productions of Kobzar, Nutcracker, Ancestors & Elders, Mosquito’s Wedding, and Echoes of Hopak. Nicolas has had the…