2023 Youth Performers

2023 Youth Performer Profiles

2023 Youth mc's

Zoriana Holyk - Zoriana Holyk is a Grade 11 student at Iona Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario. In 2023, Zoriana graduated from the Paul Yuzyk Academy of Toronto (PYAT) Ukrainian school, and had the honour of being selected class valedictorian. She is an active member of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM)-Mississauga branch, St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church (Oakville), as well as Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School (Mississauga), where she enjoys dancing and teaching as an assistant instructor. Zoriana likes to participate in various sports and volunteer at numerous events in her free time.

Melania Schturyn - Melania Schturyn is a student of Philopateer Christian College in Mississauga going into grade 12. She's part of multiple Ukrainian organizations such as Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, where she, also, works as a teaching assistant for younger groups, and Ukrainian Youth Association, where she helps teach younger generations about the rich history and traditions in Ukrainian culture. Thanks to her activism in the Ukrainian Youth Association, Melania received a Youth Volunteer Service award from MP Yvan Baker. She's active in her church life, as well, volunteering annually at a winter church camp by the name of Break for Jesus in the role of a camp counselor. She recently graduated from St. Nicholas Ukrainian Heritage School with the honour of valedictorian. As a granddaughter of Holodomor survivor Stefan Horlatsch and daughter of president of UCC Toronto Branch Petro Schturyn, keeping traditional Ukrainian values and speaking up on issues within Ukraine are among the most important focuses in Melania's life.

2023 Youth Performers in Alphabetical Order

Adriana Artemyak - Adriana is 14 years old and is a grade 9 student studying vocal music. She loves to sing Ukrainian songs and play the piano during her spare time and is currently actively involved in music at the Artemyak Art-Music Studio, led by Igor and Andriana Artemyak. Andriana is the winner of several vocal competitions that took place in Ukraine and loves to perform on stage.

Anya Robak - Anya Robak is a student of Artemyak Art-Music Studio. She has been studying singing for 3 years. She performed at many charity concerts. She loves Ukrainian songs and performing on stage.

Barvinok Hamilton - Barvinok Hamilton Ukrainian Dance Ensemble has been in existence for over 60 years and is home to over 40 students ages 3 and up. Based in the Holy Spirit Church Hall in Hamilton, Ontario, and under the direction of Nadine Usyk and Taras Gulka, dancers perform year-round at various church celebrations, festivals, and concerts within the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton & Niagara regions. The group has flourished with an expanding repertoire of both traditional & non-traditional dances and are dedicated to the promotion of Ukrainian culture through music and dance.

Barvinok Mississauga - “Sopilky”, “Cymbaly & “Buria” are the dance ensemble from the Barvinok Dance School based in Mississauga. These dancers are young teenagers ranging in ages from 14-16 years of
age. All three ensembles have performed at various festivals in Mississauga, Oakville & Hamilton, also we did perform in Toronto at Centennial Park for Independence Day, as well at Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival. More importantly, all three ensembles played a significant role during the 54 th Anniversary Concert in May of 2023, and they will be working on preparing the program for next Year-End Concert to celebrate Barvinok 55 th Anniversary.

Chaika - Chaika has thrilled audiences worldwide and won recognition and praise with its memorable performances in Canada, the United States and Europe throughout the years. Created in 1957 under the auspices of the Hamilton Branch of the Ukrainian National Federation, the Ensemble has been dedicated to the development of Ukrainian folk song and dance. The school is comprised of 50 performers, ranging in age from 4 to 40+.

Desna School - In a journey spanning over a decade, Desna School remains steadfast in its mission: to celebrate and preserve the rich tapestry of Ukrainian culture through dance. While communities evolve and challenges arise, the heart of Desna School beats in unison with its dedication to artistic excellence and cultural fidelity. Today, as young dancers take the stage, they carry with them not just the steps but the soul of a tradition that transcends borders and politics. Desna School is more than a performance—it's a declaration of unity, resilience, and enduring cultural pride

Mychajlo Artemyak - Mychajlo is 10 years old and attends St. Sofia School in Mississauga. He loves to sing Ukrainian songs and play the guitar. Currently, he is actively involved in music at the Artemyak Art-Music Studio, led by Igor and Andriana Artemyak.

Odessa Lubinska - Odessa Lubinska lives in Toronto and attends Grade 8 at Josyf Cardinal Slipyj School. At age four, she performed her first solo to Patriarch Sviatoslaw. Odessa was a finalist for Ukrainian Star during the Independence Day concert at Centennial Park. She has performed various times at the Carassauaga Festival, the Annual Christmas Bazaar Yarmarok, Ivan Franko Senior Homes, and the Knights of Columbus events. Odessa has also performed on both stages at the Ukrainian Bloor West Village Festival. For Ivana Kupala, performed at Camp Sokil. Odessa recently performed "Amazing Grace" in an Inaugural Mass led by Cardinal Thomas Collins at one of the Toronto School Boards. Her recording of the song "Nadija Je" has been included in the Ukrainian Heritage Month celebrations across 200 schools in Toronto. Odessa loves Ukrainian dancing and is an active member of Barvinok Dance School and Plast.

Sofia and Bogdan - Sofia and Bogdan Sivkov are students of St. Demetrius Catholic School. They play Ukrainian traditional wind instruments such as sopilka, sopilka alt, dvodentsivka, telynka, and drymba under the supervision of Ruslan Kubovych (Toronto) and Maksym Berezhniuk (Kyiv). Sofia and Bogdan have been performing at festivals and musical contests since 2018. Bogdan likes playing chess, rock climbing, and martial arts while Sofia enjoys painting, baking, martial arts, and playing chess.

Sofiyka Baranova-Banak - Sofiyka Baranova-Banak is a student of Artemyak Art-Music Studio. She is 5 years old. She has been studying singing for 1.5 years. She performed at many charity concerts. She loves to sing and play the piano.

UCC Hamilton Bandura Group - UCC Hamilton Bandura Group
The group was formed in January 2023 under the auspices of Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Hamilton Branch with the assistance of the Self-Reliance Group of St. Vladimir Orthodox Cathedral. The group
members Sofia, Lilya, Solomia, Maks, Ruslan and Alex are brothers and sisters of a recently arrived family from Ukraine. Their love of the bandura started in Ukraine, where they studied it in school and they happily embraced our group in Hamilton, where they play and sing together and have built up a repertoire in 5 short months. They are under the tutelage of Maestro Victor Michalow, world renowned singer, bandurist and conductor.

Yavir - Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance is dedicated to fostering the art and joy of Ukrainian dance in children, youth and adults. It has evolved from its humble beginnings in 1962 and emerged as a highly professional dance school. The Yavir School of Ukrainian Dance ignites the stage with electrifying performances, leaving both dancers and audience members captivated by an exhilarating, awe-inspiring, and enlightening experience. The Yavir gratefully acknowledges the support of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church and is honoured by the artistic direction of Krista Samborsky. As a community-focused school, Yavir offers the opportunity for memories that will last a lifetime. Get ready to be swept off your feet by the dynamic energy and exquisite artistry of YAVIR, the Ukrainian dance school that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world with their unforgettable performances!

Yuliya-Anna Kaplun - Yuliya-Anna-Varvara KaplunYuliya-Anna-Varvara Kaplun was born in Toronto. Her family is very involved in the diaspora. Yuliya speaks and sings fluently in Ukrainian and English. She likes to travel to different countries, but especially likes to be in Ukraine, in the city of Ternopil, where she has many friends and family! At the age of 3, together with her younger sister Nataliya, started singing in the group Resonance, later in Echo by Nadiia Korol. She now attends the "Artemyak Music School" and previously in Ukraine attended Vadim Krasnooky School named "Cоломрія". Yuliya loves to sing and plays the piano, and dances Ukrainian dancing in the Barvinok dance school in Mississauga. She also acts on stage, and draws with the "Art Heritage" program led by Alla Yevdokimova. She and her sister have repeatedly participated in Ukrainian festivals since they were 3 years old. Yuliya is a very big patriot of Ukraine. Her hope for Ukraine is for the war to stop and to have peace for Ukraine.

Zhayvir Choir - Children's Choir Zhayvir was established by the Ukrainian Youth Association -Toronto Branch in 2006 under the direction of Musical Director Olesya Konyk. Olesya Konyk, teaches children not only to sing, but to sing with professionalism. Oksana Skira is their pianist. The choir is very active in the Ukrainian community with events such as the Anniversaryof Ukrainian Insurgent Army, Shevchenko, Christmas concerts, and various
charity concerts for Children of Ukraine. They have also performed concerts at the Ivan Franko Senior Residence, various music festivals and the New Year’s Masquerade

Zlata Barchuk - Zlata Barchuk is a 7 years old Canadian singer with Ukrainian background. She started singing when she was 2 years old. Now she is taking music lessons at Olena Lutsenko vocal school and Arcadia Academy of Music. Zlata is also a Grade 2 student at Mentor College. Additionally, she is attending Nova Shkola Ukrainian Saturday school. 2021 Zlata received her 1-st place awards at the Emerging Young Artist Competition as Vocal 2021. She performs her songs in the Ukrainian language and glorifies Ukraine, its traditions, and culture. This years Zlata won many international vocal competitions with 1st place , and also won Grand Prix. From the first day of war Zlata supports Ukraine and participates in the beneficial concerts for raising money for Ukraine.

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ZlataBarchuk
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mariia_barchuk?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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