Shannon Gabrush has spent the majority of her life immersed in Ukrainian dance. As a dancer growing up she was not afforded the opportunity to expand her technical dance training however it became evident after her first trip to Ukraine that she had been missing out on some key elements for a Ukrainian dancer and teacher. She spent many years making it a top priority to learn many fundamentals of ballet, character technique, folklore and culture.
In the years that followed Shannon spent her summers studying at the Institute of Ukrainian Folk Dance in Lviv, Ukraine. The varied focus on ethnography, costumes, music, choreography and ballet deepened her love of Ukrainian culture and dance. She was fortunate to study under many Masters and Professional groups while she continued to further her dancer and instructor education. Shannon finished her studies at the above-mentioned Institute of Ukrainian Folk Dance in Ukraine and continues attending various workshops and seminars offered in Canada and Ukraine whenever possible.
Shannon joined the Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble (PFE) where she danced for 13 years. Under the Artistic Direction of Serhij Koroliuk, she performed with PFE in Brazil, Ukraine, the United States and across Canada. In addition to dancing, Shannon spent many years on the PFE Board of Directors and took on the role of President from 2007-2009. She was one of the founders and had a key role in the establishment of PFE Dance Showcase. Shannon acted as the Tour Director for her last performing Tour “Nostalgia,” which traveled to the Eastern United States and Canada. In 2016-2017 she took on the role of Stage Director for Ukrainian Day in the Park in Saskatoon. In the summer of 2018 Shannon rebranded and led the UCC Saskatchewan’s Summer Ukrainian Dance Program “SaskTanets” to its most successful year to date. While also in 2018 taking the youngest group of performers ever to participate in the International Ukrainian Dance & Culture Festival in Ukraine.
Shannon has been instructing Ukrainian dance for over twenty five years as her teaching career began through the Instructor Apprenticeship program offered at Rushnychok Ukrainian Folk Dance Association. By the age of fifteen she had begun teaching her first class and has continued to grow and develop dancers since then. Over the years, she has taught over fourteen dance schools across Saskatchewan, been invited as a guest choreographer for groups across Canada, enjoyed teaching summer workshops and Adjudicating dance festivals across the prairies. She received certification for Progressing Ballet Technique and Co-founded Rodovid Academy of Ukrainian Dance that offers dance workshops, instructor learning opportunities and regional workshops. Shannon has taken on the role as Artistic Director for the Tavria Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble in 2020 and continues in her 30th year of instruction at Rushnychok. In the summer of 2023 and 2025 she prepared 37+ dancers from Rushnychok to perform on the Grandstand at Canada's National Ukrainian Festival alongside many amazing Canadian dance groups. Shannon is known for creating unique dances that draw out the personality and emotions from her dancers, young and old. Many of these pieces have earned Choreographic awards and top honors at many Ukrainian dance festivals.
Outside of her work life, Shannon is happily married to a Ukrainian dancer turned Golf Professional, Brian. Together they have two children, Lena and William who fill their house with singing, dancing and laughter. In her spare time Shannon enjoys photography, traveling, decorating and repurposing old furniture.