Our 2018 Master of Ceremonies
Mike Ciona
|
Mike was born and raised in Edmonton, where he graduated with Honors from the Radio & Television Arts program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Since 2004, he has called Saskatchewan home, working his way around the province with stops in Regina, Yorkton & Saskatoon. An award-winning journalist, Mike has had a wide array of experiences; from interviewing the Prime Minister to covering the Grey Cup in the Riders Centennial Season. He is actively involved in the community, officiating basketball and football, emceeing a variety of events, and promoting his Ukrainian-Canadian roots.
|
ANASTASIA BACZYNSKYJ
|
As a daughter of Ihor Baczynskyj, Anastasia, grew up backstage. Seeing her father perform routinely gave her first hand exposure not only to incredible acts, but also the ins and outs of good stage performance. As one of the original members of the Lemon Bucket Orkestra and one of the initiating forces behind the group KalynDar. she has shared the stage with international world music stars, but also has guested on recordings with Canadian Ukrainian artists such as DoVira and Ukrainia. She holds a Master’s in Historiography from the University of Toronto (OISE) and focused her thesis on Ukrainian Identity in Toronto. Following in her father’s footsteps, Anastasia has graced many stages as Master of Ceremonies as well. Her performances are always marked with warmth, personality and, of course, a good dose of Ukrainian humour.
|
ANYA YABLONSKA
|
Anya Yablonska was born and raised in Ukraine and moved to Canada in 2009. She was introduced to Canada through Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program in 2006. Anya holds Masters Degree in Communications from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Ukraine. Toronto is now home for Anya, where she is an active member of the Ukrainian community.
|
Julia Drozdowsky
|
Julia Drozdowsky is an improviser, actor, emcee and writer from Toronto. As the former host of the Ukrainian program, Kontakt on OMNI TV, Julia is thrilled to return as an emcee to the Bloor Street Festival. You can see her perform improv, political satire and sketch comedy on various stages across Ontario. She is a member of the troupe, The Casuals, and writes for various troupes in Toronto.
|
Juliana Haras
|
Juliana Haras, hailing from Ottawa, grew up in Saskatoon’s vibrant Ukrainian community in a family of anthropologists that instilled in her an appreciation of the values and customs that shape a culture – along with a deep-seated love for her own. Of Bukovynian descent, Juliana speaks 5 languages, has traveled extensively through Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and has had the opportunity to study, work, and volunteer in Ukraine, France, Germany, China, Mexico, El Salvador, and Argentina. A graduate of Queen’s University, Juliana holds degrees in economics and public administration and has spent the opening years of her career as an economist and policy advisor with the federal government. Fond of open-air museums, writing, and the performing arts, Juliana spent much of her formative years on stage – reciting poetry, playing bandura and piano, acting, singing, and dancing. Her passion for heritage festivals grew out of living the energy of Vegreville and Dauphin every summer growing up, as well as volunteering at Saskatoon’s Vesna Festival and Folkfest, Ottawa’s Capital Ukrainian Festival, le Festival Ukrainien de Montréal, and our very own Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
|
Justine Lewkowicz
|
Justine Lewkowicz is a former award-winning journalist. Over a decade with NEWSTALK 1010, she covered stories that ranged from criminal trials and the police beat, to the political debates at Queen’s Park and Toronto city hall. She has received four Edward R. Murrow Awards for her unique coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival, the Invictus Games, and the Blue Jays’ ALDS win in 2015. She has also been a member of award-winning teams at CBC Television with DRAGONS’ DEN, Test the Nation: IQ, and FORTUNE HUNTERS.
|
MARIKA WASHCHYSHYN
|
Marika Washchyshyn is a proud representative of the Ukrainian-Canadian community. Hailing from Toronto, she grew up an active member of the Ukrainian Academy of Dance and Arkan Dance Company, Christ the Good Shepherd at St. Michael's church, and the Etobicoke branch of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM). Marika has a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, and a Master of Science from the Columbia University School of Journalism in New York, where she focused some of her reporting on the 2013/14 Ukrainian revolution, as well as the role of media in the country's contemporary landscape. After four years in New York, Marika is now working as a producer at CTV News Channel in Toronto, and thrilled to be back in the community she loves most. She is honoured to be a host at this year’s Toronto Ukrainian Festival, where she spent many years as a performer and attendee.
|
MARTA CZURYLOWICZ
|
Marta Czurylowicz is an up-and-coming journalist and a well-known figure in Toronto’s Ukrainian community. She has been the host of Canada’s Ukrainian channel, KONTAKT, for 6 years. Marta is very involved with her Ukrainian roots. Along with hosting the weekly program, Marta taught traditional dance at Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, where she danced in the ensemble. She had the privilege of playing a role in Ukraine’s history as a Canadian election observer for both the presidential elections in May 2014, and the parliamentary elections in October 2014. Marta has hosted numerous events including Toronto’s Ukrainian Festival in Bloor West Village; Rock, Reforms and Relief: A Weekend for Ukraine where she co-hosted with Michael Schur, a popular comedian in Ukraine, Soyuzivka’s Cultural Festival, where she co-hosted with Sergiy Fomenko of Mandry and the Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion at Folklorama in Winnipeg. She has worked for a number of Canadian news outlets, including Sun News Network, where she was Michael Coren’s chase producer. Last year Marta was based in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she worked as a web video journalist and digital content editor at CTV Winnipeg.
|