Peter has been with Shumka for more than two decades, embarking on his Ukrainian dance journey at the age of eight when he enrolled at the Shumka School of Dance. With dedication and unwavering commitment, he honed his skills as a student, eventually becoming a member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers in 2008. Peter has extensive training in Ukrainian folk, ballet, and contemporary styles of dance.
His journey then took a transformative turn as he transitioned into the role of an instructor at the Shumka School in 2006. For the past 19 years, Peter has passionately imparted his knowledge and expertise in classes of all ages at the Shumka School of Dance. His specialization in nurturing the youngest of dancers, ages 3 to 5, led him to develop a unique training program tailored to their needs. Peter has been the Principal of the Shumka School of Dance since 2013.
Within the community, Peter has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned figures such as Dave Ganert, John Pichlyk, Viktor Lytvynov, Jean-Marc Généreux, Citie Ballet, and the Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble of Ukraine. Since achieving full member status with the company in 2008, he has performed in numerous iconic Shumka performances and tours, including memorable roles in productions such as Clara’s Dream, the extensive 52-show Shumka at 50 China and Canadian tours, and the cherished remount of the Shumka classic, Travelling Chumaky, where he held a prominent role. Peter has performed all over the world, including in Ukraine, Poland, China, and all throughout Canada. Peter’s talent extended beyond Shumka as he was invited to perform as a special guest with Edmonton’s Citie Ballet.
In addition to his artistic contributions, Peter has played an administrative role within Shumka. He has served on the Shumka artistic and standards committees and held the position of Shumka Costumes Director. His organizational skills shone through as he managed the Shumka Summer Dance Camps since 2010. He enriched his knowledge by pursuing studies in Arts and Cultural Management at MacEwan University from 2011 to 2013.
Peter’s dedication to his craft transcended borders, as he embarked on three enriching trips to Ukraine to both perform and deepen his understanding of Ukrainian dance. On one of these trips, he travelled to the Central and Southern regions of Ukraine as part of the Ukrainian Dance Instructor Workshop Tour. His commitment to excellence is evident in his certification as an instructor with the Shumka Dance Syllabus Academy. In 2021, he elevated his role within the Academy, becoming a workshop examiner.
His thirst for knowledge and professional growth led him to attend numerous Ukrainian Dance Instructor Conferences and engage in various professional development courses. In 2013, he travelled to Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he led workshops with the International Folk Dance Ensemble. In 2021, he shared his expertise by instructing Pre-Beginner and Beginner workshops for the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association (AUDA).
In the realm of technology, Peter showcased his innovative spirit by creating a phone application for Shumka, facilitating accessibility and engagement with the art form. Peter’s ability to inspire and motivate the youth has left an indelible mark on the Shumka community, ensuring a bright future for the organization as it continues on its journey.
