Our History
Our history
1977-78 Ukrainian Dance School started. Instructors were paid $4.00/hour for two-hour sessions, plus $0.10 mileage
Instructors: Brenda Koltusky and Lloyd Ewashko
1979-80 “Tantsooristi”
John Boychuk and Mary Millenchuk taught language and singing lessons.
Brenda Koltusky and Bob Hafichik, assisted by Linda Lukie and Pat Hucal
1980-81 “Shevchenko Dance Ensemble”
Linda Lukie assisted by Wanda Miko and Darcy Nechwediuk
1981-82
Linda Lukie and Shirley Sheeshka assisted by Cheryl Melnyk
The first Christmas turkey Bingo of many.
1982-83
Linda Lukie assisted by Cheryl Melnyk
The first sound system was purchased for the group. Hitachi Tape Recorder and was purchased from the Sandy Lake Co-Op on May 10th, 1983
Mary Mudry sewed our new Welcome towels.
Glasses were purchased and one was given to each dancer
1983-84
Lorraine Hrytsay and Nick Kristalovich, assisted by Lorena Ewashko
Nick taught Ukrainian lessons.
1984-85
Audrey Furkalo assisted by Lorena Ewashko
All of the girl’s hair was braided for performances for the first time. Audrey’s mother Adeline sewed six Hutzel costume for the newly introduced regional dance
Hospodan and Hospodanya were honored for the first time.
1985-86
Audrey Furkola assisted by Lorena Ewashko
Group contributed to the Sandy Lake time capsule.
1986-87
Ken Matlashewski assisted by Nora Ewashko
10 anniversary pins designed by Raymond Lewandowski.
Helen Lewandowski and committee compiled a photo album with history collection
Shevchenko Dance Ensemble letters were made by Lucille Lewandowski and were (and still are!) used at the annual dance concerts.
1987-88
Ken Matlashewski assisted by Nora Ewashko
Lil Kurhewich taught singing lessons.
1988-89
Paul Scherby and Monique Slashinsky
Entered the Teulon competition for the first time and competed in Oakburn
1989-90
Ken Matlashewski
Volyn costumes were made, and a scarf dance was introduced. Competed in Dauphin and performed at the Kiev pavilion at Folklorama in august ‘90
1990-91
Ken Matlashewski
Practices moved form the school to the hall
Buko and Transcarpathian dances were introduced.
1991-92
Ken Matlashewski
Performed at the Dauphin Festival Square, Elphinstone Lions Club, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Museum’s official opening and Brandon Agriculture Institute in the Keystone Centre. Also took part in the Brandon parade
1992-93
Ken Matlashewski
The first Shevchenko cookbook was made
Competed in Regina, Shoal Lake and Teulon.
1993-94
Ken Matlashewski
Competed in Oakburn and Teulon, performed at the Neepawa Roxy and performed on the CKX Lions telethon. Started to operate the Canteen at the Rec Bingo.
1994-95
Ken Matlashewski
Performed at the Elphinstone homecoming. Introduced Polissia as a new regional dance.
1995-96
Ken Matlashewski
Oakburn Lastivka Seniors joined Shevchenko Seniors for the Hopak
1996-97
Ken Matlashewski and Stan Maluk and Marcia Drul
This was our 20th year anniversary. Costumes were purchased from Ukraine. The Podillia dance was performed at the Rusalka Concert, and on March 18th 1997, the Senior 2’s danced at the Portage Theatre in Winnipeg.
The Senior 2 group received the top trophy at the Regina competition, and also took 1st overall in the Dauphin competition, and top trophy at the Russell competition.
Performances included the Horod 75th anniversary, Camp Wannakumbac, Strathclair Theatre, and the Dauphin Ukrainian festival.
1997-98
Ken Matlashewski and Jayna Hlady
A practice bar and mirror were made by Raymond Lewandowski
Workshops were done for Transcarpathian, Pleskach, and Bukovina dances.
Performed at 14 places, including for the Brandon War Brides, the Elphinstone Catholic Church 50th anniversary and a Hamiota charity event.
First place trophy at Teulon for their Hopak
1998-99
Ken Matlashewski and Jayna Hlady assisted by Paul Braschuk, Kim Joss, and Stan Maluk.
Twenty performances in total, with trophies for Pleskach, highest mark in Poltava region, and adjudicator’s choice.
Participated in the Sandy Lake Centennial celebrations with a concert, a re-enactment of a traditional Ukrainian wedding, and the performance of Malanka.
There was a reappearance of the Shevchenko Baba’s for the Centennial.
The seniors and the alumni performed at the forks in Winnipeg during the Pan Am Games.
1999-00
Jayna Hlady and Chad Johnson
Costume purchased from Ukraine
Alumni performed in Kenora, Ontario
Performances included Erickson homecoming, Cottage owners, War brides in Brandon, Hamiota, Glenella, Sandy Lake Trans Canada relay, the Erickson relay, and Canada Day in Clear Lake.
2000-01
Jayna Hlady and Chris Nakonechny
Costumes were purchased from Ukraine, competitions in Regina, Dauphin, Russell and Teulon
2001-02
Jayna and Dean Mackadenski
The first Yorkton competition, trophy for the highest Poltava mark in Russell, and intermediate girls won a trophy for the highest Buko mark in Yorkton.
25th anniversary celebration with a supper and a Zabava.
On October 8th, 2002, all the dancers performed the Hopak at the Forks in Winnipeg during the visit of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
2002-03
Jon Paul Suwala, Cheryl Maydaniuk, Chris Nakonechny, Jayna Ives
Competitions included Yorkton and Russell. Participated in meat draws at the Sandy Lake Hotel
2003-04
Jon Paul Suwala, Cheryl Maydaniuk, Chris Nakonechny, Shawn Ostafie
Competitions in Russell Brandon and Yorkton
Performances included the musical ride in Onanole and the 100th anniversary of the Mountain Road Church
2004-05
Jon Paul Suwala and Shawn Ostafie
Performances included Erickson and Sandy Lake personal care homes and a farewell for Father Maluk. Also hosted a delegation from Ukraine with a potluck supper and dancing. Hosted Malanka.
2005-06
Jon Paul Suwala and Shawn Ostafie
Transcarpathian costumes from Ukraine and new Hopak costumes were received.
Also received trophies for adjudicator’s choice and high marks.
2006-07
Jon Paul Suwala and Lisa Nickel
Celebrated our 30th year
Cookbooks were printed and sold
Adult group got a trophy for highest Poltava mark in Russell
2007-08
Lisa Nickel, Shawn Ostafie
If there are any spelling errors, missed information, or anything you would like to add, we would love to hear about it! Please message us!
1977-78 Ukrainian Dance School started. Instructors were paid $4.00/hour for two-hour sessions, plus $0.10 mileage
Instructors: Brenda Koltusky and Lloyd Ewashko
1979-80 “Tantsooristi”
John Boychuk and Mary Millenchuk taught language and singing lessons.
Brenda Koltusky and Bob Hafichik, assisted by Linda Lukie and Pat Hucal
1980-81 “Shevchenko Dance Ensemble”
Linda Lukie assisted by Wanda Miko and Darcy Nechwediuk
1981-82
Linda Lukie and Shirley Sheeshka assisted by Cheryl Melnyk
The first Christmas turkey Bingo of many.
1982-83
Linda Lukie assisted by Cheryl Melnyk
The first sound system was purchased for the group. Hitachi Tape Recorder and was purchased from the Sandy Lake Co-Op on May 10th, 1983
Mary Mudry sewed our new Welcome towels.
Glasses were purchased and one was given to each dancer
1983-84
Lorraine Hrytsay and Nick Kristalovich, assisted by Lorena Ewashko
Nick taught Ukrainian lessons.
1984-85
Audrey Furkalo assisted by Lorena Ewashko
All of the girl’s hair was braided for performances for the first time. Audrey’s mother Adeline sewed six Hutzel costume for the newly introduced regional dance
Hospodan and Hospodanya were honored for the first time.
1985-86
Audrey Furkola assisted by Lorena Ewashko
Group contributed to the Sandy Lake time capsule.
1986-87
Ken Matlashewski assisted by Nora Ewashko
10 anniversary pins designed by Raymond Lewandowski.
Helen Lewandowski and committee compiled a photo album with history collection
Shevchenko Dance Ensemble letters were made by Lucille Lewandowski and were (and still are!) used at the annual dance concerts.
1987-88
Ken Matlashewski assisted by Nora Ewashko
Lil Kurhewich taught singing lessons.
1988-89
Paul Scherby and Monique Slashinsky
Entered the Teulon competition for the first time and competed in Oakburn
1989-90
Ken Matlashewski
Volyn costumes were made, and a scarf dance was introduced. Competed in Dauphin and performed at the Kiev pavilion at Folklorama in august ‘90
1990-91
Ken Matlashewski
Practices moved form the school to the hall
Buko and Transcarpathian dances were introduced.
1991-92
Ken Matlashewski
Performed at the Dauphin Festival Square, Elphinstone Lions Club, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Museum’s official opening and Brandon Agriculture Institute in the Keystone Centre. Also took part in the Brandon parade
1992-93
Ken Matlashewski
The first Shevchenko cookbook was made
Competed in Regina, Shoal Lake and Teulon.
1993-94
Ken Matlashewski
Competed in Oakburn and Teulon, performed at the Neepawa Roxy and performed on the CKX Lions telethon. Started to operate the Canteen at the Rec Bingo.
1994-95
Ken Matlashewski
Performed at the Elphinstone homecoming. Introduced Polissia as a new regional dance.
1995-96
Ken Matlashewski
Oakburn Lastivka Seniors joined Shevchenko Seniors for the Hopak
1996-97
Ken Matlashewski and Stan Maluk and Marcia Drul
This was our 20th year anniversary. Costumes were purchased from Ukraine. The Podillia dance was performed at the Rusalka Concert, and on March 18th 1997, the Senior 2’s danced at the Portage Theatre in Winnipeg.
The Senior 2 group received the top trophy at the Regina competition, and also took 1st overall in the Dauphin competition, and top trophy at the Russell competition.
Performances included the Horod 75th anniversary, Camp Wannakumbac, Strathclair Theatre, and the Dauphin Ukrainian festival.
1997-98
Ken Matlashewski and Jayna Hlady
A practice bar and mirror were made by Raymond Lewandowski
Workshops were done for Transcarpathian, Pleskach, and Bukovina dances.
Performed at 14 places, including for the Brandon War Brides, the Elphinstone Catholic Church 50th anniversary and a Hamiota charity event.
First place trophy at Teulon for their Hopak
1998-99
Ken Matlashewski and Jayna Hlady assisted by Paul Braschuk, Kim Joss, and Stan Maluk.
Twenty performances in total, with trophies for Pleskach, highest mark in Poltava region, and adjudicator’s choice.
Participated in the Sandy Lake Centennial celebrations with a concert, a re-enactment of a traditional Ukrainian wedding, and the performance of Malanka.
There was a reappearance of the Shevchenko Baba’s for the Centennial.
The seniors and the alumni performed at the forks in Winnipeg during the Pan Am Games.
1999-00
Jayna Hlady and Chad Johnson
Costume purchased from Ukraine
Alumni performed in Kenora, Ontario
Performances included Erickson homecoming, Cottage owners, War brides in Brandon, Hamiota, Glenella, Sandy Lake Trans Canada relay, the Erickson relay, and Canada Day in Clear Lake.
2000-01
Jayna Hlady and Chris Nakonechny
Costumes were purchased from Ukraine, competitions in Regina, Dauphin, Russell and Teulon
2001-02
Jayna and Dean Mackadenski
The first Yorkton competition, trophy for the highest Poltava mark in Russell, and intermediate girls won a trophy for the highest Buko mark in Yorkton.
25th anniversary celebration with a supper and a Zabava.
On October 8th, 2002, all the dancers performed the Hopak at the Forks in Winnipeg during the visit of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
2002-03
Jon Paul Suwala, Cheryl Maydaniuk, Chris Nakonechny, Jayna Ives
Competitions included Yorkton and Russell. Participated in meat draws at the Sandy Lake Hotel
2003-04
Jon Paul Suwala, Cheryl Maydaniuk, Chris Nakonechny, Shawn Ostafie
Competitions in Russell Brandon and Yorkton
Performances included the musical ride in Onanole and the 100th anniversary of the Mountain Road Church
2004-05
Jon Paul Suwala and Shawn Ostafie
Performances included Erickson and Sandy Lake personal care homes and a farewell for Father Maluk. Also hosted a delegation from Ukraine with a potluck supper and dancing. Hosted Malanka.
2005-06
Jon Paul Suwala and Shawn Ostafie
Transcarpathian costumes from Ukraine and new Hopak costumes were received.
Also received trophies for adjudicator’s choice and high marks.
2006-07
Jon Paul Suwala and Lisa Nickel
Celebrated our 30th year
Cookbooks were printed and sold
Adult group got a trophy for highest Poltava mark in Russell
2007-08
Lisa Nickel, Shawn Ostafie
If there are any spelling errors, missed information, or anything you would like to add, we would love to hear about it! Please message us!