2022 Master of CEREMONIES
MIKE CIONA - A proud Ukrainian-Canadian, Mike was born and raised in Edmonton. He moved to Saskatchewan in 2004 and has been broadcasting for CTV ever since. An RDTNA award winning journalist, Mike has transitioned to the role of “Weatherman” on CTV Morning Live. He is actively involved in Sports as a Football and Basketball official, and has been seen on grandstand stages across the country serving as emcee at the most prestigious Ukrainian Festivals in Canada.
Alexandra Holyk is a fourth-year journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she works as an online editor for the university's newspaper, The Eyeopener, and volunteers as the president of the Ukrainian students' club. Alexandra works as an editorial assistant at CTV National News, volunteers as the "Student" Editor for the Ukrainian Canadian Students' Union (SUSK), and is a member of the Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School in Mississauga. Alexandra has also volunteered as a reporter and show host for Kontakt and Kontakt Next Gen since 2012. She has been the MC for numerous events, including the Toronto and Mississauga Ukrainian festivals.
Anastasia Baczynskyj has a long record of service to the Ukrainian Canadian community. Holding a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto (OISE), her thesis focused on the transference of heritage in the Ukrainian Canadian context. Anastasia’s dedication to the community’s future has led her to create successful educational and cultural programs in various organizations across the country. As one of the original members of the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, and daughter of comedian Ihor Baczynskyj, she is in demand not only as a lecturer and educator, but as a performer as well. For over 15 years, she has entertained domestic and international audiences with her talents and her wry sense of Ukrainian humour.
Borys Sirskyj was born in Thunder Bay. Borys moved to Ottawa in 1979 when he became Executive Assistant to Senator Paul Yuzyk. In 1986, he joined the Solicitor General’s Department where he has been till his retirement in 2017. Borys has been active in the Ukrainian community for over 35 years in Plast – Ukrainian Youth Association, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, History teacher -Kursy Ukrayinoznavstva (Ukrainian High School Courses), Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Commission, etc. He has also MC’d many community events, including the Toronto Ukrainian Festival (for 20 years); the Ukrainian Festival in Vegreville, Alta; and the CNUF in Dauphin, Man.
MYRON DEPUTAT - Myron Deputat is a singer/songwriter producer/engineer from Buffalo, NY. Though he is best known for his polka ensemble, “Those Idiots”, which has a large following in the Western New York area, Myron is versed in many styles of music. From his humble beginnings, singing Ukrainian folk songs at PLAST Ukrainian Scout camps as a child, to the big stage, Myron has always performed with energy, enthusiasm and passion.
OKSANA HRYCYNA - Oksana Hrycyna is a teacher who earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at York University. Oksana moved to Ukraine and taught English Literature at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine for 3 years. Oksana first began her community involvement as a volunteer and delegate for UCC for Plast Ukrainian Scouting Association Toronto Branch, simultaneously planning many children's camps throughout Canada for nearly 10 years. In 2008, she decided to better apply her experience working with children by attending Help Us Help Summer Camp in Ukraine. She has never looked back, for the last 14 years she has tirelessly planned and implemented countless fundraisers, awareness initiatives, as well as maintained her role as an Administrator for the winter and summer camps twice a year in Ukraine. Oksana has just recently returned from Ukraine where she organized and implemented a Summer Camp PTSD Rehab and Wellness program for the children of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and Fallen Heroes.
OLA STURIK-LISHCHYNA - Ola Sturik-Lishchyna is a Toronto based television host/reporter/actor. She has worked as an entertainment reporter at Global TV as well as a weather presenter at the Weather Network. In addition to her acting and voice over work her TV hosting credits include 3 seasons of The Canadian Travel Show and the documentary series Stopwatch, as well as the Ukrainian TV shows Svitohliad and Kontakt. Ola is also a member of the Ukrainian Theater troupe Zahrava.
Zenon Chwaluk is an experienced MC having performed with the Kalyna Dance Ensemble a long time ago and MC’ing at the Kyiv Pavilion during the Toronto International Caravan festivities. In more recent times he has MC’ed at the Ukraine Pavilion during Carrassauga, at the St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Yarmarok, at the Mississauga Ukrainian Festival as well as at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
VINCENT REES - Vincent Rees has been engaged in the Ukrainian community his entire life. He performed with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers for many years before becoming a teacher, choreographer and director and taught all around the world. After completing an undergrad in Ukrainian Language and Literature and a Masters in Ukrainian Folklore, he was perfectly suited to begin sharing his passion with others and started leading groups tours to Ukraine. Word caught on and Cobblestone Freeway Tours was born - taking people to connect with their homeland of Ukraine but also throughout Eastern Europe. Vincent is happy to be here with you at this inspiring world class Ukrainian festival because sharing Ukrainian culture with the world... is more important than ever!