Montreal Ukrainian Festival 2009
The list of performers for this year's festival is still being developed. Please check back later. In the meantime, feel free to review the information from last year in order to get an idea of what to expect this year.
Montreal Ukranian Festival 2008
List of Performers
Marta Shpak
Marta Shpak is a talented young singer from Ukraine with a wide repertoire of songs covering many different genres from the traditional to the contemporary. She has won numerous awards in a variety of competitions and has performed in Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Germany and Serbia.
Her exceptional talent became evident as a student in the National Academy of Art and Culture. She collaborates with many eminent artists, writes her own songs and choreographs her performances.
Her talent and abilities are like a breath of fresh air, evoking the spirit, language and values of the Ukrainian people.
Vasyl Popadiuk
The journey for Vasyl Popadiuk from Ukraine to Toronto has been one of musical adventure, starting at Kiev's Lysenko school for gifted children at the tender age of 7, and continuing at Ukraine's national Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music from age 18. Vasyl Popadiuk's father, himself a renowned composer and pan flute player, dreamt of his son following in his footsteps as a flutist but at the age of four Vasyl Jr chose to play the piano. By age six he had discovered and fallen in love with the violin - an outcome predicted by a stranger before his birth - that love has remained steadfast through the years.
Popadiuk has toured with many prestigious troupes, including Ukraine's Hopak National Ensemble, Kiev's Gypsy Music Theatre Company, and the Nazarov Music Theatre Company of Moscow with whom he performed for many international dignitaries including the late King Hussein of Jordan. He was asked to accompany Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife as part of the cultural entourage during a state visit to Spain where he performed for Queen Sofia. His many fans include Don Was, Tom Cochrane, Ian Gillan (whose solo album Vasyl was asked to play on) and Jesse Cook. In the past he often appeared as special guest to Mediterranean guitarist Pavlo in Canada, the U.S., and the UK. More recently he has made several appearances as special guest for world-music guitarist Jese Cook, and will be special guesting for celebrated Canadian tenor John McDermott in Toronto this summer. His tour this summer also includes stops in Miami, Nashville, New York and Moscow.
Oberehy
Luba Venhlevska and Mykola Oleksyshyn made their United States debut in 1992 as lead soloists in the renowned Ukrainian Ensemble Oberehy. In 1993 they formed the well known and very popular Oberehy Band in the U.S.A., which has been continuously invited to perform at Ukrainian Festivals held at Verkhovyna, Soyuzivka, SYM, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC., just to name a few. They also perform as Duet Luba and Mykola.
Graduates of the Lviv National Conservatory, Luba Venhlevska and Mykola Oleksyshyn were soloists with the Lviv Philarmonic. As members of the Lviv Philarmonic they performed in such countries as Poland, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Chechoslovakia, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Ethiopia and the Philippines .They have released 3 albums of their music: Oberehy, Ne zabud/Do not forget and 10 Rokiv Razom'/Together,10 years.
Veselka
A musically dynamic group of Montrealers, Veselka produced a veritable rainbow of sounds. Andy Czerny, Ihor Zowtonizka, Bill Kinal and Ronnie Kolanich created this exceptional dance and show band bringing together unique arrangements of traditional, contemporary and original Ukrainian songs. Their music accentuates sounds of hearty melodies and agile rhythms which show lively spirit, romance and bravado, and produce a tidy chronicle of sound that is distinctly and triumphantly different, moving audiences to become part of the group. Their harmonies are adventuresome and their musical spirit undeniable.
With two albums to their credit, their talents have been highlighted at many prestigious events and festivals in major Canadian and American cities. Veselka has attracted music-lovers in major city events such as New York, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Sydney, Winnipeg and Saskatoon, just to mention a few. Montreal has long been considered the capital of progressive Ukrainian music in North America, and Veselka has demonstrated that it is the leading Ukrainian musical force on the North American continent.
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!
Todaschuk Sisters
The Todaschuk Sisters have captivated audiences throughout North America and in Ukraine. Their performances have taken them from the Bicentennial Celebrations in Los Angeles to the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin to festivals and celebrations in Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto and New York as well as two tours in Ukraine. They have also been singing the Canadian and American anthems for many football, baseball and hockey games and events.
Fronting their own Jazz Trios, Rosemarie and Charlene enjoy entertaining audiences with a variety of jazz and classic standards, and Rosemarie released her debut Jazz CD to much acclaim in 2003. Charlene, a visual artist, had her debut Art Exhibit in 2007 during Winnipeg’s Folklorama.
The Todaschuk Sisters have two recording albums of traditional, contemporary and original Ukrainian songs to their credit, and in 2002, they released their third entitled, The Spirit of Ukrainian Christmas with the Todaschuk Sisters. They will be accompanied by Andrij Czerny who is also their musical arranger. All of their recording albums are available for purchase at the Montreal Ukrainian Festival.
For more information about the Todaschuk Sisters please visit www.RosemarieTodaschuk.com and www.CharleneTodaschuk.com
AKORD - Ukrainian Men's Choir
The name AKORD is symbolic of both the richness of Ukrainian choral tradition and the melodious quality of this four-part choir. AKORD originated in 1993 with six, then ‘younger,’ men who shared an interest in Ukrainian liturgical music. Olya Katruszenko, music director since 1994, broadened the ensemble’s repertoire and versatility. She is a graduate of the M. Lysenko State Conservatory of L’viv, Ukraine, where she studied composition and musical theory. After completing her studies, Olya worked as a folklore researcher and music events organizer at the L'viv Museum of Rural Life. Olya also teaches piano and musical theory and develops her own arrangements and adaptations of choral works.
AKORD, now a 20-man choir, singing in four parts, entertains audiences in performances ranging from concerts in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal to festivals such as the Festival by the River in Almonte, the Outaouais Sacred Music Festival, the Ukrainian Festival in Montreal and performances at the National Gallery of Canada, at the Holodomor Commemoration on Parliament Hill and the Homelands Mass at Ottawa’s Notre Dame Basilica. There goal is to continue to broaden public awareness of the rich diversity of our community, the multicultural fabric of our great country and of our various Ukrainian choral masters. Last year AKORD performed at the Montreal Ukrainian Festival to enthusiastic applause.
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.
Cheremshyna Ensemble
Over the years, the Cheremshyna Ensemble has performed extensively for Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian audiences alike, demonstrating that the beauty of Ukrainian song transcends language barriers and speaks directly to the listener’s heart. The Ensemble has cultivated a following of listeners of all ages, and has traveled widely throughout Canada and the United States, giving countless performances, at major festivals and cultural events. Cheremshyna has had the honour of singing for such notable dignitaries as the Prime Minister of Canada, the Governor-General, and several ambassadors. In addition, the state Senate of Illinois adopted a resolution commending Cheremshyna for their “energy, talent and dedication to their heritage”.
Cheremshyna’s repertoire includes a variety of music, from expressive a capella renditions and invigorating rhythmic folk songs, to original compositions. The Ensemble’s five recordings are heard around the world and their popularity led to the selection of Cheremshyna as “ Favourite Ensemble in North America” at the First Contemporary Music Awards, honouring outstanding achievement in the Ukrainian recording industry. In Kyiv, the editor of a Ukrainian cultural journal wrote the following about Cheremshyna: “We are enchanted by the gracefulness, that is to say - the Ensemble’s delicate interpretation of Ukrainian song - both traditional and contemporary.”
The Cheremshyna Ensemble from Montreal Quebec, is made up of three female vocalists: Nadine Zwetkow (soprano), Claudia Melnyk (1st. Alto), and Lydia Ruditch (2nd. Alto).
Katherina (KATYA) Kushniruk and Daniel Zaharia
Katya has been dancing since the age of 8 and her partner since he was 6. They have won many competitions throughout Quebec, and took first place in the pre-amateur junior category (ages 12 to 15) at the Canadian championships in Vancouver in April 2007. This march, 2008, thay came in third at the Canadian championships in Halifax, winning the honour of representing Canada at the World Championships to be held in Italy in February 2009.
Lirnyk
Since their first appearance in December 2006 with Ukrainian choir Vidlunnya under thedirection of Dr. S. Lysogor, students of the School of Bandura in Montreal extended an exceptional opportunity to promote Ukrainian music alongside the musical training of young artists. One of the main musical objectives of the group is to integrate centuries-old musical tradition of the Ukrainian folklore in contemporary forms of musical performance.
Led by the school’s founder Tatiana Navolska, young bandurists have participated in numerous concerts organised by the Ukrainian community in Montreal, as well as on the TV program Suzirja and on the radio program Ukrainian Time.
Lirnyk consists of three talented young performers, Arsen Hnatyuk, Zahar Prilutsky and Ivan Molodtsov.
Arsen began his bandura studies in Kyiv, Ukraine, while Zahar and Ivan developed their interest in playing here in Montreal.
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”.
Wolodymyr Mota
The Bandura – is Ukraine’s National Instrument. The origin of the Bandura or the Kobza, as it used to be called long ago, goes back to the 16th century.
Since 1952, Wolodymyr Mota performed with his bandura in numerous Ukrainian celebrations and concerts in Montreal, in other parts of Canada and in the United States, as well as in Montreal’s Expo – 67. During the 1970-ies, he also trained a new generation of bandurists.
In 1992, during Montreal’s 350th anniversary celebrations, he performed at the official ceremony acknowledging the 100th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Quebec. In 1998, performed at the vernissage of the Treasures of the Steppes, Ukraines’ exhibit at the Pointe Au Callière Archeological Museum in Montreal, and provided musical background for the exhibit itself.
In 1999, Mr. Mota was guest performer at the 50th anniversary concert of the Manchester (England) based choir Homin, under the direction of his former bandura teacher, maestro Yaroslav Babuniak, and earlier, in 1995, as singer, he toured Ukraine with this choir.
In 2002, he performed in Ottawa at the official tenth anniversary celebrations of establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Ukraine.
In the summer of 2006, he toured Ukraine again with the Montreal-based choir Vidlunnya. Also, with his bandura, he staged his own independent concerts there. For many years he has been a singer in the choir of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, in Rosemont, Montreal, and is presently its Director.
Mr. Mota has performed in public, on radio and television, sharing his talent with the Ukrainian community as well as introducing Ukrainian music to the Francophone and Anglophone communities. He has performed at the Montreal Ukrainian festival numerous times.
Oxana Senkiv
Oxana Senkiv is a very talented singer and songwriter, who has written, composed, and recorded all her own material. Most of the music and lyrics stem from her youth and initially came to fruition on her first CD in 2007 and continued on a second CD release in 2008. Although originally born in an encampment Russia, this did not deter the Ukrainian atmosphere at home. She moved to Ukraine, where she went to school and participated in various musical activities. Oxana has been living in Montreal since 1991. Her albums have been recorded in Ukraine. She has performed at various festivals, charitable events and concerts.
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.
Helena Waverchuck
Helena Waverchuck is a Mezzo-Soprano with a varied repertoire consisting of vocal works in nine languages. She pursued studies in choral directing concurrently with her studies of music and vocal art at Concordia University (BFA in Music). Ms. Waverchuck has given art-song recitals in Ontario, Quebec, New York, Florida and Ukraine. The 2001 Kyiv recital was sponsored by the Canadian Embassy. Besides solo-singing, she divides her time between singing as a chorister with the Chœur de l’Orchèstre symphonique de Montréal, directing and singing in church and secular choirs, teaching voice, piano and music theory as well as conferences and coaching vocal technique.
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.
Vidlunnya
Vidlunnya choir, with 38 singers, has existed for many years and is part of the Montreal Ukrainian Youth Association.. In the beginning, the choir existed under the name Boyan and itsartistic director was Rostyslav Kulish. In 1995 the name changed to Vidlunnya under the artistic directorship of Svitlana Lisohor-Koval.
Vidlunnya has a varied repertoire consisting of Ukrainian traditional and folk songs. Over the years, they have given many concerts and performend at various events in Quebec and Ontario, notably at Christmas concerts at Ogilvy’s Tudor Hall (Montreal) and the Notre DameBasilica as part of the Montreal High Lights Festival. One of their most renowned appearances was at St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal in Celebration for peace on Earth.
The choir has produced the self titled CD Vidlunnya. Its current artistic director is Tanya Navolska and the choir is accompanied by pianist Ashkhen Minasyan.