‘I always wanted to and now I can’: Seniors jump for joy with Ukrainian Shumka dancing class

A group of Edmonton seniors has a unique way of staying fit and healthy, Shumka dancing. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson reports.

A group of seniors in Edmonton aren’t letting their age stop them from learning how to dance Shumka.

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Shumka is a type of high-energy style Ukrainian dancing. The class is open to anyone 55 years old and up and the energy in the classroom isn’t lacking.

“We started off with just a small class and then it just became more and more popular,” said Shumka Artistic Director Tasha Orysiuk.

The class started with eight students when it was first offered nine years ago, and today it has up to 40 people taking part each week.

Victor Melech is 89 years old and the oldest in the class, he joined after watching an ad for it on TV.

“I am Ukrainian and I’ve been cognizant of this all my life and I just never danced when I was young, but I always wanted to and now I can,” Melech told CTV News.

He says he was out of shape and had trouble keeping up at first, but eight years later he’s lost more than 60 pounds through Shumka dancing.

“I recommend it highly for everyone that becomes elderly, because it’s got everything you need,” he adds.

Orysiuk says there’s many benefits for the seniors coming to practice every week.

“Fifty per cent of this is learning to dance, getting some exercise, toning your muscles, finding your balance, but the other 50 per cent is really just having a good time with people,” she said.

Orysiuk says having members like Melech is “really touching” and reminds her of her own grandfather who passed away.

Melech turns 90 in May and hopes to become one of the oldest Shunka dancers to ever take the stage at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium during the school year concert.

“I was in university when they built the Jubilee … and now here I am performing and it’s amazing to do that, to be on that stage,” Melech said.

“You look at the audience and you can’t see anyone. It’s like you’re in an empty hall and then the applause comes and it’s just overwhelming, fabulous, perfect.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson