2018 BWV Toronto Ukrainian festival Youth Stage artists
ALEXANDRA HOLYK - Master of Ceremonies
|
Alexandra Holyk attends Iona Catholic Secondary School, in Mississauga, where she is entering Gr. 12 and is a part of the Regional Arts Program, specializing in Dance. A former graduate of St. Sofia School, Alexandra is a proud member and assistant teacher at the Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, a member and junior counsellor of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) - Mississauga, and has just recently graduated from St. Nicholas Ukrainian Heritage School as class Valedictorian. As a parishioner of St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church, she is a member of the church's Youth Group, partaking in their various adventures, and has counselled at Break for Jesus camps. Alexandra studied classical ballet at Rajka Kupesic's School of Classical Ballet, and has attended Joffrey Ballet School's Summer Intensive Program in New York City. As a junior Kontakt Ukrainian TV co-reporter, Alexandra reports in the youth segment, having the pleasure of interviewing talented individuals of Ukrainian decent that are making many interesting contributions to our community.
|
ALEXANDER PIDZAMECKY - Master of Ceremonies
|
Alexander (Oleksa) Pidzamecky is entering Grade 12 at St. Michael’s Choir School, where he is an active member of multiple clubs, programs and initiatives. Formerly a student of Josyf Cardinal Slipyj School, Oleksa is a graduate of the UNF Toronto West Ridna Shkola, dances in the Voloshky group at Barvinok Dance School, belongs to PLAST Scouts, is a member of the St. Joseph’s UCC youth group in Oakville, has served as a counselor at Break for Jesus Camp, emceed various community events, and plays several instruments. In addition, he has sung with the Dudaryk Boys Choir, participated in French-Ukrainian summer programs in the south of France, and in a semester student exchange in Cologne, Germany. Most recently, Alex worked for the Sheptytsky Institute as a summer student. He is also an avid photographer. Along with his partner, Alexandra Holyk, Alex interviews leading Ukrainian youth for Kontakt Ukrainian Television Network.
|
ALEKSA GOBOSZ
|
Aleksa Gobosz is 17 years old and has been singing since the age of 5. She also plays the bandura, clarinet and piano, sings in the Ukrainian vocal youth group "Melodia" and dances in a performing ensemble in the Ukrainian School of Dance - Barvinok, as well as teaches younger dancer groups. She recently graduated Lesia Ukrainka Saturday School and has been attending art school for the past 10 years while also participating in multiple art shows and competitions. While being active in her high school community and also being part of the school band, Aleksa was chosen to be the 2017 Ambassador of Philip Pocock High School and represented her school at a 3-day leadership seminar. Aleksa has performed on many stages, most memorably at Yarmarok, Carassauga, Kiwanis and Disneyworld, in Florida. She loves to sing and always puts a smile on her audience's faces.
|
ALISSA OSAVELYUK
|
Alisa Osavelyuk is 17 years old and is currently in Grade 12 at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School. Alisa was born in Ukraine, in the city of Ternopil. Alisa started playing the bandura 8 years ago and joined the bandura assemble by the name "Sribni Struny" which means "Silver Strings". She moved to Canada with her family when she was 13 years old. Alisa decided to continue with her bandura education and joined the bandura capella "Zoloti Struny" which means "Golden Strings". Alisa started taking vocal classes in 2016 to improve and expand her singing skills. Alisa has won competitions in the Kiwanis Toronto Music Festival as well as in the Ukrainian Music Festival. Alisa enjoys playing bandura and loves bringing joy to the audience.
|
ARYAN and SOPHIA
|
Aryan and Sophia have been dancing together since ages 5 & 6. Their journey to stage and competitive dance floor was a difficult one. However, in a short time they have exceeded everyone's expectations and blossomed into beautiful dancing couple and competitors to watch out for. Under the watchful eye of their fantastic instructors Tatyana Vovkokhat and Vlad Vinogradsky these dancers have won top awards in such prestigious competitions like La Classique du Québec, Toronto Open, Tulip Classic and many others. This tiny couple has been performing for school special events as well as community events. Aryan's and Sophia's love for music does not end with dance they are talented piano and violin players as well. Outside of the dance studio they love to play tennis, practice taekwondo patterns and, Sophia’s favorite, take rhythmic gymnastics lessons.
|
BARVINOK UKRAINIAN DANCE ENSEMBLE – Hamilton
|
The Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Hamilton has been in existence for over 60 years. It is comprised of 35 students between the ages of 3 to 16 years. Located inside Holy Spirit Church Hall, all classes have the opportunity to promote our Ukrainian culture throughout the year at various church celebrations, fairs, concerts and anniversary events held within the GTA and the Hamilton-Wentworth regions. They have also appeared on television, at talent and variety shows as well as at several area folk festivals. Under the direction and choreography of Michael Stechey and Nadine Usyk, the group has flourished with an expanding repertoire of dances, performances and student enrolment. The purpose of Barvinok Hamilton is to provide its dancers with an exciting educational experience while encouraging a greater interest in Ukrainian dance and culture. This year, we have our Novice group and Senior/Intermediate Girls excited to showcase their dances at the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
|
BARVINOK - Mississauga
|
The Barvinok School of Ukrainian Dance is based at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic church in Mississauga. The Barvinok younger dancers have performed at various festivals in Mississauga & Toronto, at Centennial Park for Independence Day and many other events. The have travelled several times to Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA, to Ottawa as well they participated in many different Multicultural Festivals, such as Carassauga, etc. These young dancers are wonderful to watch and we know you will enjoy seeing them dance at this amazing Festival.
|
CHAIKA PERFORMING ENSEMBLE - Hamilton
|
Chaika has thrilled audience’s worldwide and won recognition and praise with their memorable performances throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Created in 1957 under the auspices of the Hamilton Branch of the Ukrainian National Federation, the Chaika Performing Ensemble has been dedicated to the development of Ukrainian folk song and dance. The school comprised of 60 performers, ranging in age from 4 to 50, continues to help preserve Canada’s multicultural mosaic. The energy and spirit of Chaika is reflected in its choreography - integrating ballet with Ukrainian folk stage theatre. Our school is committed to teaching Ukrainian traditional dances. Chaika is very fortunate to perform to live music which provides our dancers and our audiences an exhilarating experience. You can follow Chaika on Facebook and at our website www.Chaika.ca. John Hucal is Chaika’s Artistic Director.
|
DESNA SCHOOL
|
DESNA School is a Toronto-based Ukrainian dance school under the artistic direction of Virksy trained Luba and Yuri Grekov. This is a place where children not only experience Ukrainian culture and tradition, but also create lasting friendships and attain unforgettable memories. DESNA School consists of children aged 2 to 14, who practice once a week at the Plast Huculak Centre. The dancers have performed on many stages including Nathan Phillips Square, The Living Arts Centre, and competed at the National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, Manitoba. This summer they traveled to Ukraine where they danced their way through many regions learning more about the Ukrainian dance and culture.
|
ECHO
|
The ensemble ECHO was created a few years ago at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mississauga. Active members of this group include Sofia Lozenko, Diana Balitska, Yulia and Natalia Telentso, Lidia Kolesnyk and Valeria Savostenko. Through singing and learning music theory children discover the world of music and the Ukrainian culture. The group has performed at many community and parish events, among them are Ukrainian festivals-- Zolotyj Klen, Toronto Ukrainian Festival, and Marta Krawciw-Barabash Ukrainian Musical Festival. Every year children visit Ivan Franko’s Home dwellers with Christmas carols and other entertainment. Nadiya Korol, musical director of studio ECHO believes that starting from an early age, music education helps young children to gain confidence, express themselves and perceive the surrounding beauty.
|
MELODIA
|
Melodia is a Ukrainian vocal youth group made up of young singers who are dedicated to the performing of the Ukrainian modern popular songs written and composed by contemporary artists of present Ukraine. In existence since the fall of 2005, currently the group consists of 5 members, ages 9-19, from Mississauga and surrounding communities: Daria Sulipka, Alisa Osavelyuk, Natalia Terek, Sofia Yarema and Andrijko Semchyshyn. These young singers are skilled solo performers. The group is under the auspices of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mississauga, Ontario. Melodia participates at all religious church events throughout the year including Yarmarok Christmas Bazar, Christmas and Easter celebrations, Toronto and Mississauga Ukrainian Festivals as well as Carassauga Festival of Cultures annually. These talented young singers independently perform at various events within the community. Members of the group take part at the annual Ukrainian Music Festival winning top vocal awards and scholarships. The artistic director of the group Melodia is Oksana Zelinska-Shevchuk.
|
ODESSA LUBINSKi
|
Odessa Lubinski lives in Toronto and goes to Josyf Cardinal Slipyj School. She is 8 years old. At the age of four, she performed her first solo for Patriarch Sviatoslaw. She was a finalist for the Ukrainian Star during the Independence Day concert at the Centennial Park. Odessa has performed various times at the Carassauaga Festival. She enjoys performing for the community.
|
PROLISOK Junior Ensemble
|
A group of talented youths who have been singing for many years in the "Zayvir", Children's Choir, but have grown and since September 2017 have separated themselves into a separate group, “Prolisok” Junior Ensemble.
The Musical Director Olesia Konyk is preparing this group to join the “Prolisok” Senior Ensemble in the near future. As a separate group, they participated in numerous concerts, including a Christmas concert at Old Mill, attended by the mayor of the city John Tory. |
SOFIA GAVADZA
|
Sofia Gavadza, is a young, beautiful and very talented, 9-year-old girl from Mississauga! She was born into a well-rounded Ukrainian family that deeply respects Ukrainian language, music and traditions. She is a student of St.Sofia Catholic School, as well as a piano student at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is part of the dance group Barvinok, and recently became a very successful pupil of the children's vocal studio led by the talented teacher, singer and musician Mykola Klishch.
|
UKRAINIAN ACADEMY OF DANCE
|
The Ukrainian Academy of Dance has trained over 1500 dancers since it was founded in 1987. This year the school is celebrating its 32nd anniversary. Arkan Dance Company was launched as the performing ensemble of the Academy. Since their formation, Arkan has performed at International festivals in Florida, New York and Boston, U.S.A, Taiwan, Brazil, at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, Manitoba, Drummondville, Quebec, Nova Scotia, China, Mexico, Turkey, Italy, Korea, Ukraine and Indonesia. Arkan and The Academy will be travelling to Ukraine next summer.
|
VYSHYVANKA SCHOOL OF DANCE - Chicago
|
Vyshyvanka School of Dance was founded by choreographers Pavlo and Oksana Fedkiv in 2008. It was created because of lack of favorite pursuit they had in Ukraine. So, shortly after immigrating to USA there was a necessity to create something for the heart and soul as well as for the next generation. VYSHYVANKA’s slogan – “Not Ukraine for Us, but We for Ukraine”. Artistically growing and developing, our teachers constantly enhance their knowledge and skills, implementing new ideas, in which they combine authenticity and contemporaneity, identity and typical conformity. Quick and dynamic student increase confirms teachers’ selflessness and great desire to teach and share their love for Ukrainian dance, customs, and traditions.
|
ZHAYVIR
|
The "Zhayvir " Children's Choir was established by the Ukrainian Youth Association -Toronto Branch in 2006 with initiative by Olesia Konyk. Musical Director. Olesia Konyk, teaches children not only to sing, but to sing with professionalism. Throughout this time Oksana Skira has remained as “Zhayvir’s” pianist. The choir is very active in the Ukrainian community with events such as the Shevchenko and Christmas Concerts, the Charity Concert "Children from Canada – for Children of Ukraine”, Easter Concert at the Ivan Franko Senior Residence, Vyshyvanka Day and the New Year’s Masquerade.
|