The National Arts Centre has received many Ukrainian performers and groups since the 1960s. Among the Ukrainian ensembles that had performed in this Centre are the Shumka Dancers from Edmonton and the Kyiv ballet from Kyiv, Ukraine.

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The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers

The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers was formed in Edmonton in the mid 1950s. Shumka, which means "whirlwind", quickly developed and established a unique dancing style that has become recognized throughout the world.

Over the years, Shumnka has presented its style of dance theatre to audiences as far away as Japan, Hong Kong, Africa and throughout the United States.

In 1990, Shumka performed for the first time in Ukraine and in Moscow. The company gained a new understanding for the Ukrainiam historical and cultural origins of their art, which has also been influenced by Canadian contemporary arts and culture. Shumka weaves classical ballet, modern dance, musical theatre and traditional folk dance.

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DNIPRO UKRAINIAN DANCE ENSEMBLE

DNIPRO UKRAINIAN DANCE ENSEMBLE 1983-84
Top Row (left to right): Jacquie Tumak, Elizabeth Guty, Dianna Harbec, Cora Dziubaniuk, Catherine March, Tamara Switucha, Marusia Shepertycka, Charlene Chychrun, Lisa Ostapyk, Melana Zyla, lvanka Moroz, Kateryna Shepertycka, Carol Dziubaniuk, Laura Dziubaniuk, Rosalind Rorke Bottom Row (left to right): Edgar Tumak, Bohnan Moroz, Yuri Ostapyk, Boris Zayachkowski. Yevhen Ostapyk, Peter Semeniuk, Mark Zayachkowski, Walter Sokyrko, Stephen Shepertycki Missing from Picture: Kathy Broughton, Natalka Cmoc

The Dnipro Ukrainian Dance Ensemble founded by Lesia and Myroslaw Pritz, held its first concert at the High School of Commerce in May 1969. In 1970 and 1984 Dnipro performed at Ottawa's National Arts Centre.

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Cheremosh from Edmonton

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Laurence Ewashko

Laurence J. Ewashko studied music at the University of Ottawa and Vienna's Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst. He continued his studies at the Gliere Music Academy in Kiev, Ukraine. In 1986 he was invited to join the staff of the Vienna Choir Boys School and conducted one of its four choirs on two tours through North America and Western Europe.

Upon his return to Canada in 1988, he was appointed music director of the Cantata Singers of Ottawa. He teaches choral conducting at the University of Ottawa, where he conducts the University's three choirs. He is also the chorus master of Opera Lyra Ottawa. In July, 1996, conducting the University of Ottawa Choir, he received first prize at the International Kathaumixw Choral Festival. Ewashko often includes in the choir's repertoire choral pieces from Ukrainian classical music.