Shaughnessy Potter

Shaughnessy’s love for dance started at the age of three she began her Ukrainian dance journey at the Edmonton School Of Ukrainian Dance. From a young age she also trained competitively in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Pointe. After completing her years she furthered her training with the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble which she currently attends twice a week and is going into her 6th year with the ensemble and currently sits on the board. Shaughnessy has had the opportunity to travel to many places through dance such as Portugal, The United States and all over Canada. In 2019, Shaughnessy was honoured to receive the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Society Rebecca Kassian Memorial Scholarship. Shaughnessy has also attended various workshops led by renowned choreographers from Ukraine and dancers from Virsky. Shaughnessy was also honoured to perform alongside ladies from the Ukrainian National Academic Folk Chorus Veryovka, with Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble at the 50th annual Pysanka Festival. Shaughnessy was also honoured to be casted as the lead role “Marusia” In Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensembles most recent production “Svitlo: discover the light within” and in this production was honoured to dance alongside Gerdan Theatre. Through this production Shaughnessy had the honour to serve as head of the Education committee revealing her love for organizing student matinee’s, creating curriculums, and conducting school visits. 

Shaughnessy started assistant teaching Ukrainian dance at the age of 12 at the Edmonton School of Ukrainian Dance and at 16 she was inspired by her Uncle Ken Kachmar and Mother, Debbie Kachmar-Potter to pursue a Ukrainian dance teaching career. Shaughnessy currently teaches at The Edmonton School Of Ukrainian dance and with the Vegreville Svitlo Ukrainian dancers. Shaughnessy enjoys teaching Ukrainian dance classes at summer camps, conducts private lessons for dancers, and running social media platforms for her groups. Shaughnessy loves sharing her Ukrainian culture and hopes that all children find the enjoyment of Ukrainian dance the same way she did!

Outside of the studio Shaughnessy attends Concordia University Of Edmonton where she is currently finishing her arts degree with a major in drama and a minor in early childhood education. Through school Shaughnessy is currently working on a brand new Ukrainian dance production called 1932-1933: A Holodomor Story, which will be presented in April. After completing her degree, Shaughnessy hopes to attend the Education after-degree program in pursuit of becoming a teacher.