Ukrainian Festival Montreal

Montreal Ukrainian Festival 2009

Theresa Sokyrka

Theresa Sokyrka has been an independent singer songwriter since 2005 operating as Theresa Entertainment Productions (div. of #2760215 Canada Inc.).

Her appreciation for music started at age 6 when she began taking violin lessons and singing in church. She continued involvement in music throughout high school and enrolled in the music program at Red Deer Community College specializing in jazz vocal performance.

Immediately following her studies Theresa formed a band called "Phagoo," of which she was the lead singer. They released an independent CD entitled "Sui Fan Sessions". She was active in the music scene in Edmonton and Red Deer for the next couple of years.

In January 2005 she auditioned at the local level in Saskatoon for CTV’s Canadian Idol, and was chosen to be one of the top ten. She spent 21 weeks in Toronto and was chosen runner-up to Kalan Porter.

The experience that she gained from CTV’s Canadian Idol was instrumental in launching a professional career in the music industry. It also made her a household name across Canada due to nation wide publicity. Her first album "These Old Charms" was independently produced in 2005, and was distributed nationwide by Maple Music. The CD achieved Certified Gold status, selling over 75,000 units. She was nominated for a Juno Award in 2006 for best pop album.

In 2007 she was signed to the label Maple Music and released her second full length album called "Something is Expected". The album is a collection of songs that she had written. It was produced by Mike Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies and John Collins and David Carswell of JC/DC. The album sold over 30,000 units.

In 2008 she independently produced and distributed a Holiday Album ("Wrapped In Ribbon") to ensure she had product for her 14 city Holiday tour with Matt Dusk. This CD sold over 4,000 units.

Universal Music Canada featured Theresa on two successive "Women of Song" Albums (Women of Song # 9 -2007 and Women of Song #10 - 2008). These albums had combined sales of over 80,000 units.

Theresa’s Duet with Matt Dusk - "Baby it’s Cold Outside" from her "Wrapped in Ribbon" Holiday Album has been selected by Universal to be featured on the Christmas Album entitled "A Canadian Christmas - #4" which will be released in the fall of 2009.

Over the course of the past 4 years, Theresa self promoted over 30 "sold out" concerts and corporate gigs in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. She has also had sell out concerts promoted by The Agency Group in Ontario, and the Maritimes as well as 2 International Tours for the Canadian Military in Egypt and Israel.

Theresa was chosen to be the Centennial Youth Ambassador for the Province of Saskatchewan in 2005, and she performed on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan to over 30 schools throughout the province. She was a feature artist at the Lt Governor’s "Celebration of the Arts Gala" which was televised nation wide and was attended by Queen Elizabeth II at the 100 year celebration for the Province of Saskatchewan.

She has also acquired experience in television commercials featured by the Government of Saskatchewan, Sasktel and the Kidney Transplant Foundation as well a being featured in a documentary with Transplant International.

Theresa has been featured on several nationally televised broadcasts including "Canada A.M" "E-Talk Daily", " Vicki Gabereau", "CTV National News" and "NewsNet". Locally she has been a regular on "CTV Evening News", " Shaw Cable Saskatoon", "Rawlco Radio" (C95 FM, 650 AM) , CBC, and Magic 98 FM.

Printed press coverage includes being featured in hundreds of news paper articles nation wide, as well as having a feature article in the magazine "Pure Woman" and a front cover picture on "Prairie North" magazine which was distributed to over 100,000 recipients during the Junos in Saskatoon.

In 2007 on a trip to Peru she appeared on an hour long nation wide television station which is similar to Canada’s "Much Music". The appearance was due to the fact that she was filming in Peru for her second single release video "Sandy Eyes" from "Something is Expected".

Theresa has starred in 2 music videos which have aired nationally on "MuchMoreMusic" and has written and produced several songs that will be featured in 2 upcoming independent films as well as an acting cameo

She is currently living in Montreal and working on her 4th Album of original material as well as learning how to speak French.

Theresa also has an added benefit in that she is bilingual - and sings and speaks in Ukrainian and performs at numerous Ukrainian Festivals and corporate gigs throughout Canada. She is also currently working on collaborating with fellow Ukrainian musician friends to produce a Ukrainian language CD.

Theresa Sokyrka is an active member of SOCAN and the Artist Guild of Canada.

Zirka

In the fall of 1978 the band Zirka was formed in Sudbury. Brothers Peter and Morris Hucal convinced their cousin John Behun to bring out his drums because they were hired to play at a wedding. Naturally, the first song the band learned to play was the Ukrainian Wedding March. In 1984, the third Hucal brother, John, joined the band. A few years later, he was followed by their younger sister Katherine. Our latest edition to the band is Bill Hawryschuk (drums) and Karen Aniol (violin).

Since 1984, Zirka has entertained audiences in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Toronto, Oshawa, Kitchener, Guelph, Windsor, St. Catharine's, Hamilton and Dauphin. In 1995, Zirka produced their first album and in the fall of 2007, they produced their second "live" album. We would like to thank God for blessing us with our talents and for giving us such a loving and caring family. To our parents Mama and Tato (Sonia and Slawko); Laurie; Lesia, Myra, Adrian and Kalynna; Kasia, Alexander and Julianna; Norm and our angels above "Zirka and Melania"; Anna, Adrian and Stephan: thank you for your incredible love and support. Thanks for all the sacrifices - you all make this worthwhile and we love you all so much!

It is an honour to play and sing the brilliant arrangements and works of other Ukrainian bands who have inspired us throughout the years: Rushnychok, Veseli Chasy, Burya, Solovey, Nove Pokolinya, Bukovina Brass, Dunai, Trembita, Burlaky, Zahrava, Shoom, Millenia, and others.

Special thanks to the many multi-talented past members who have contributed to the growth of Zirka: John "Polka" Behun (drums), Mike Mychalkiw (bass guitar), Mike Nykilchuk (bass guitar), Melissa Schaak (violin), and Roman Klun (drums). Thanks for all the music, memories and fun.

Ukrayina Dance Ensemble

The Ukrainian School of Arts, established during the summer months of 1998, is entering its 10th year as one of the finest and largest schools of its kind within the greater Toronto area. The school offers a complete and challenging dance program to students of all ages and skill levels and serves as the base for the Ukrayina Dance Ensemble. The school boasts a unique repertoire, utilizes a variety of regional styles and costumes, incorporating components of character and classical technique as well as vocal interludes.

The school’s founders and artistic directors, Aleksandra and Valeri Movchan, are qualified instructors with extensive experience in dance and choreography. Having received instruction and professional accreditation in Ukraine, they maintain a unique and authentic personality within their roles accentuated by vitality and character. They promote a superior level of traditional Ukrainian dance by devoting attention to the development of both the artistic and technical abilities of dancers. The school utilizes guest instructors with specific unique talents and perspectives to enrich the dance experience for students. During concert tours to Ukraine, special seminars were hosted by Myroslav Vantukh, Artistic Director of Virsky, Ukraine’s National Dance Company.

The school continues to capture performance invitations and enjoys opportunities to further enhance its extensive performance array. Debut performances often result in repeat appearances and the school has performed at various festivals, annual tributes, uniquely-themed Rotary events, commemorations, and “praznyk” events, within the greater Toronto Area and the northeastern United States highlighted by extensive concert tours to Poland and Ukraine. Last summer, the Ukrayina Ensemble represented Canada during the 4th World Forum of Ukrainians held in Ukraine’s Capital City, Kyiv, and participated in several concert performances commemorating Ukraine’s 15th Anniversary of Independence.

Passion makes this dance troupe unique --- a passion for Ukrainian culture, a passion for dance and above all, a passion for the human spirit. A true balance between technical excellence and free-spirited performance can be accomplished through practice, exercise, repetition, devotion, camaraderie and a love of one’s heritage. The school’s future rests in the richness of Ukrainian dance!

Carpathia

Carpathia is a world music ensemble that grew out of a collaboration of three musicians during the 2004 Montreal Ukrainian Festival. Since that time, Carpathia has taken its unique blend of traditional Ukrainian, Czech and Slovak music, jazz, and klezmer to festivals in Quebec and beyond, notably the Bloor West Village and Harbourfront Ukrainian Festivals in Toronto.

Carpathia's members are vocalist, Marina Krejcarova-Cernichovska, from Ukraine, Jan Krejcar from the Czech Republic, and Youri Slovak from Slovakia, all musicians with diverse experience ranging from classical to ethnic to electronic music. All three are very active in the music scene in Montréal.

The Vanguard Concert/Marching Band

The Vanguard Concert/Marching Band was founded in 1985 by embracing a vision to integrate the Ukrainian and Canadian cultures through its music. The band’s rich repertoire includes a variety of ceremonial, classical, folk, marching, patriotic, and religious music. Its members consist of youth, students, and experienced professionals who are united by their love of music.

Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of New Jersey

Barvinok was started in 2001 to give children the opportunity to learn traditional Ukrainian dance under professional instruction. Barvinok is comprised of three groups for dancers ages five through eighteen. The group is based in South Bound Brook, NJ where it enjoys the generous support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Barvinok is very fortunate to have as its artistic director Hryhoriy Momot, who comes to us from Ukraine with an extensive, professional background in Ukrainian folk dance. His masterful and intricate choreography and the beautiful costumes bring to life the unique vitality of Ukrainian dance.

In March 2008 Barvinok traveled to Lviv, Ukraine to participate in the International Festival–Competition of Ukrainian Folkdance Groups where two of their dances were chosen for the final concert. Barvinok regularly performs at cultural festivals, community and arts centers and colleges in the greater New York area. These include the 9th Avenue International Food Festival in New York City, the Somerset County International Festival in New Jersey, the Children’s Museum of Somerset County and Ukrainian festivals in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Performances of Barvinok are enthusiastically received.

Marunczak Ukrainian Dance Ensemble

The Marunczak Ukrainian Dance Ensemble has been entertaining since it’s founding in 1945 by the renowned choreographer, the late Peter Marunczak Sr.

They have performed across Canada, the United States and Europe, with the primary focus being to share our culture at various public festivals, museums, national, provincial and municipal venues where Ukrainian traditions may be enjoyed by all.

Frequent performances in Montreal also include varied social events, weddings, anniversaries and business engagements.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull endorsed our performances by proclaiming they “showed vigour, rhythm, grace and precision, dazzling the audience”.

Further accolades were bestowed upon the group by having been selected “best” amongst four Ukrainian Groups competing in a festival of music, song and dance held at Toronto’s Central Technical Auditorium.

“The Marunczak Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is unique in that they have incorporated a modern touch into the colourful and classical, but traditional dances”…excerpt from “Cultures Galore Canada-Fete Canada 1996, Ottawa”.

Pryvit

Mark Bednarczyk and Roman Kostyk formed Pryvit in 1991, taking the duo’s name from the title song of a debut album, “welcoming” all to a newly liberated Ukraine.

Although the initial repertoire consisted of original material, additional personnel allowed the ensemble to expand vocally and instrumentally. By 1994, the repertoire also included Ukrainian folk and contemporary music. In subsequent years, Pryvit performed extensively around the Montreal area and South Bolton in Quebéc; Toronto, Acton, St. Catharines, and Ottawa in Ontario; Ellenville and Glen Spey in New York.

By late 1997, departures weakened the ensemble, until Irene Michalik joined in 1998. Unfortunate circumstances in 2000 forced an indefinite “sabbatical” from performing. The 2003 Montréal Ukrainian Festival marked Pryvit's first public appearance in three years.

After entertaining at the 2005 Montréal Ukrainian Festival, and the 2006 Toronto and Montréal Ukrainian Festivals, the ensemble currently continues as a vocal trio singing a variety of original compositions, traditional folk, and contemporary cover material.

Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble

The Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble was founded in 1989 by two dedicated and enthusiastic Ukrainian dancers, Tanya Harasymowycz-Kutash and Bohdan Klymchuk. Their goal was to develop a local Ukrainian dance ensemble that would strive towards a high level of artistic achievement.

The ensemble devotes its rehearsals to cultural development, exercise and recreation, while promoting excellence and creativity. It encourages both traditional and contemporary choreography. The ensemble consists of 30 dancers. Their repertoire consists of 12 dances which focus mainly on the central and western regions of Ukraine.

The ensemble has thematic (storyline) dances, comedy dances, sword dances, modern Ukrainian dances, a gypsy dance, a lyrical dance,and the famous Hopak, just to mention a few. Some noted performances where the Troyanda dancers have performed are: Drummondville International folk festival (the largest folk festival in all of Canada); New York State (the Catskills); Man and His World (Montreal); and Place des Arts (Montreal's cultural arts center). Troyanda is a well known and respected dance ensemble in Montreal and Quebec.

My (“WE”) - Ukrainian dance troupe

In three short years, the originally Toronto formed and now Montreal based dance group My (“WE”) , has enjoyed impressive success. When they began, they were a small group of young people who literally grew up together personally and professionally. Today the troupe boasts 20 members.

Although traditional Ukrainian dance remains at the core of their performances, they have expanded their repertoire to include other styles such as Latin dance, the tango and hip-hop.

They owe much of their success to their choreographer, Diana Gysiva, and their director, Elena Gysiva Since their move to Montreal, they owe special gratitude and thanks to Father Volodimir Kushnir of St. Sophie’s Parish and the Montreal Ukrainian Community, as a whole.