MAD HEADS XL

Since 2004, MAD HEADS XL has unleashed a wild rock’n’roll drive enriched with new musical influences, among them elements of ska, reggae and Ukrainian folk. The guitar, the double bass and the drums were enforced with a powerful brass section and the musicians’ great live performances turn any concert into an unforgettable show, making the audience part of it whether it’s a small club or a huge open air event.

Performance: Saturday, Sept. 18th, 9:00 pm
http://www.madheads.kiev.ua

Auresia

Nominated for Favorite World Artist at the 2010 Canadian Independent Music Awards, this Montreal based singer is rising up in the Canadian music, Reggae and Ukrainian Scene. Born of Ukrainian decent in Edmonton, Alberta, she has been charming audiences since the age of 3. Now in Montreal, her style is a new breed of Reggae for the urban soul; deep roots riddims swathed by the melodies of Auresia’s sweet and haunting voice. Through her intricate melodies, beautiful harmonies she combines her Ukrainian roots, combination of world, soul, r&b and conscious lyrics to hear a sound uniquely her own. Auresia and her band always put on a great show, filled with high-energy and positive vibes, she captivates the audience with her meditative vocals and always leaves them dancing. Auresia has toured extensively across Canada, US, parts of Europe and Jamaica. Her debut album, Auresia can be found at HMV, Archambault, Indigo, and online at iTunes and auresia.com or myspace.com/auresia.

Canadian Bandurist Capella is a fifty member Ukrainian male choir accompanied by the unique harp-like sound of the sixty-five string Bandura.  Many of the pieces they perform are steeped in the traditional kobzar art form, dating back to historical Cossack times. Their Bandura players, who will be performing at this year's festival, are some of the finest in North America and most learned to play the instrument from a very early age.  Their repertoire consists of epic historic folk songs, sacred music, modern and humorous compositions. Colourful costumes, powerful voices and spectacular harmony are their trademark as the Canadian Bandurist Capella delights audiences across North America. The Artistic direction for the Capella is provided by Merited Artist of Ukraine, Dr. Victor Mishalow (Artistic Director), Andriy Dmytrovych (Choir Master) and Yurij Petlura (Concert Master). Steve Dacko (President) is responsible for the management of the ensemble. www.banduristy.com
 

The Chaika Performing Ensemble has thrilled audiences 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, Chaika has been dedicated to the development of Ukrainian folk song and dance. In its 53rd year, the school, comprised of 110 performers ranging in age from 6 to 30, continues to help preserve Canada’s multicultural mosaic. The energy and spirit of Chaika is reflected in its choreography - integrating classical ballet with Ukrainian folk stage theatre. In addition to Chaika’s dancing accomplishments, the ensemble has also achieved fame for its choral work and has released two albums.

Ckopa

Ckopa is a Ukrainian folk band that plays Ukrainian classics as well as many popular rock tunes. The band was created when friends Matt Purawec, Andrew Chachula and Julian Petelycky decided to use there talents of playing there respected instruments to create a band. They began experimenting there knowledge of Ukrainian music and rock n’ roll to create a unique sound in a basement where they would practice. Ckopa turned heads quickly as CYM Mississauga requested that they play at their 50th anniversary banquet, hence the search for a vocalist. Stephanie Lovell was quickly adjourned with the band as the lead vocalist. After playing small shows, Ckopa was later united with keyboardist Michael Kobelak. After few great years, Michael left the band to focus on school. Borys Brodziuk quickly took up the vacant position and the band continues to play at many Ukrainian functions sharing their take on Ukrainian music. Feel free to visit Ckopa! at www.myspace.com/ckopa.

Colors

“Colors” Duo is a fusion of Tradition andJazz. The duo consists of Natalia Kolacz-Koulinich and Deidrey Francois. Natalia is well known both in Ukraine and in the Ukrainian Communities across the borders of the continents. Audiences have embraced Natalia as a brilliant composer as well as pianist and arranger, currently completing her first album “On The Move”. Deidrey Francois is an inspirational Singer-Songwriter with a flare for jazz. Her sultry voice can touch the depths of your heart. Her debut CD "Spirit in Bloom" is followed by her new CD “Re-ignigted” The Duo began performing 3 yrs ago at Festival Zolotiy Klen. They’ve been a pleasure to watch, at the stages of Golden Lion Restaurant, Ukrainian Day celebrations, Lemko Festivals, and more. Last year Natalia soloed at Toronto Ukrainian Festival as a singer-songwriter. Today she performs in duo with Deidrey Francois who is anavid lover of Ukrainian people, songs and their culture.

Desna Dance Company

Desna appeared on the arts scene of Toronto in 1974. Since this time, Desna has performed extensively throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Desna dazzles its audiences with a wide traditional repertoire that includes Bukovynian, Kozachok and the world famous Hopak, as well as showcasing original, innovative dances such as Country Dance, Gypsy and Vohon. Desna takes pride in making a valuable contribution to the Ukrainian community and to the diversity of Canadian culture.

Dunai

The band Dunai is based out of Toronto, Canada. For over two decades, the band has been a cornerstone in the Ukrainian music scene, entertaining audiences throughout Canada and the United States. They have performed at all the major Ukrainian festivals throughout North America and have played at private functions in Los Angeles, New York, Edmonton and San Diego, just to name a few. Dunai’s sound is a culmination of different musical influences each member has brought to the group. The groups members have a diverse background in performing Ukrainian folk, rock, jazz, blues and latin music. The key to the band’s longevity is their passion for performing, writing and arranging music. What has always differentiated Dunai is the success of their original songs. The groups direction is to continue writing original material which expands Ukrainian musical culture, as well as preserve traditional folk songs through their own unique arrangements. The members of Dunai are: Alex Fesiak (keyboards, accordion, lead vocals), Ihor Zowtonizka (guitars, vocals), Steve Sherman (guitars, vocals), Yar Haluk (drums, percussion), and Kevin Goss (saxophones, flute). www.dunai.com

Ephyra

Ephyra is an accomplished Ukrainian-American rock band from Chicago that has made an impact on the modern Ukrainian music scene in the diaspora and Ukraine. Their individual style has grown to be a favorite across generations and continues the tradition of musical innovation of Ukrainian bands from Chicago. The band has three Ukrainian album releases, all of which have been on rotation on radio stations in Ukraine and the diaspora and an upcoming release at the end of the summer of 2010 titled “Kartyna”. Ephyra also has played the Ukrainian festival circuit in North America and is planning a mini-tour of Ukraine in 2010/2011. Recently Ephyra has caught the ears of the major music industry in North America. The band was a National finalist in the Emergenza International Music Competition in 2007 and has performed in major market venues across North America. The band plans to continue to create innovative music and to promote pride of Ukrainian ethnic identity through their music and lyrical message. www.ephyramusic.com.

Gypsy Rebel

Michael T Butch founded The Gypsy Rebels in 2005 with the dream of bringing the traditional Gypsy repertoire he learned from his parents and grandparents to a wider audience here in Canada. His goal is not only to keep the music of his ancestors alive, but also to add a new dimension to each song with original arrangements and a unique reggae, funk, and soul sound. Michael is also an accomplished songwriter who sings from the heart about his passions, his philosophies, and his way of life. The band's music is influenced by the sounds of Michael's neighborhood, Kensington Market, a bohemian and culturally rich community in downtown Toronto. One of the band's most popular songs, Nassau Street, is the story of how Michael fell in love during a chance encounter one evening in the Market. Some of our songs, including the band's version of the de facto Gypsy national anthem "Jelem Jelem" (also "Zelem, Zelem"), have enjoyed tremendous online popularity on YouTube. www.thegypsyrebels.com

Helen Guryn is 16 years old.  She came to Canada from Ukraine 2 years ago. Her dream is to be professional singer and to be known in the whole world. Singing is the most important thing in her life.

Homerlias

We are a group of three members playing traditional Ukrainian folk (acoustic) instruments: bandura (Oksana Zelinska), cymbals (Ulyana Kedo) and all types of sopilka/recorder (Ruslan Kubovych).
Created recently in the fall 2009, we perform instrumental as well as vocal music in regional musical styles of Bukovyna, Halychyna and other areas of Carpathian passes. Our group name "Homerlias", from traditional  kobzars' language, means 'honey and sugar'; our music is truly folk and authentic; it brings the spirit of real Ukrainian tradition and original sound.

Hudi a Mocni

“Hudi a Mocni" (Skinny but Bold) came to existance in 1999 in the city of Toronto. It all started one winter night when guitarist Vlatko Lepki and vocal Tino Brelak re-recorded the song “Tak Yak Kakao”, originally composed by the Yugoslavian band "Leb i Sol". Marrying their Ukrainian language heritage with the Yugoslavian music, two unique and personal albums came to be. Present members also include Andriy Polanski (bass guitar), Petro Markewycz (drums) and Igor Letvenchuk (violin, rhythm guitar). Hudi a Mocni have participated in a number of musical events both in Canada and United States over the past 10 years. They played at the Bloor West Village Festival, Uke-Stock, Pre-Malanka, and several other events organized by Ukrainian organizations in Canada. Throughout the years, Hudi a Mocni have maintained their mandate of contributing to the Ukrainian musical and cultural scene in Toronto and beyond. The band seeks not only to preserve but also to renew the Ukrainian tradition amongst the Ukrainian youth through various styles of their music.

Iryna Zinkovska

Merited Artist of Ukraine, recipient of awards from Ukrainian and International pop music festivals and contests (Svitiazh River Wave Festival in Lutsk, Children’s World Festival in Budapest, Black Sea Festival, Yalta and others). Iryna Zinkovska’s voice is a wonderful, melodic alto that is particularly resonant at the lower register. This lovely singer with the powerful, enchanting voice and generous soul has a many-faceted repertoire from which she selects songs depending on the whims of her heart. She sings songs of her parents, of her motherland, of love, that most wonderful of feelings, and of ideals that should be present in all artists’ souls, transmitting warmth, joy and hope through her art. Iryna often plays tours in Ukraine and in neighboring countries. The Ukrainian tours Family, I Believe in Ukraine and My Constellations included Dmytro and Nazar Yaremchuk (the latter being the composer of a number of Iryna’s songs), while From Heart to Heart was a solo tour that included the provincial capitals as well as many smaller cities and towns, all of which remain in her memory and in her heart, as wherever Iryna may play in Ukraine, one finds people who care deeply for Ukraine and who love Ukrainian music.

Ludy Dobri

Maryka Gulka-Chabluk, our special guest again at this year’s festival, is a singer, performer, teacher, and songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Her newest children’s’ recording Maryka's Treasures, is full of imaginative, musical fun and learning. Her joyful program invites young people to dress up in costumes, play instruments, learn to make borscht, and dance to the music.  Her songs are sung in English with an integration of Ukrainian lyrics to give meaning to their language learning. Maryka is an accomplished performer, having released three vocal recordings with "Duet Maryna".   Her love of Ukrainian song and dance has opened doors to performing for Pope John Paul II, audiences in Italy, Japan, Australia, United States and throughout Canada, sharing the stage with Jim Carey, Rich Little, & The Nylons.  Maryka’s interactive show for young children will be on Sunday, September 19^th at noon.  http://marykastreasures.com/

Melodia is a Ukrainian vocal youth group made up of young singers who are dedicated to performing modern Ukrainian popular songs written and composed by contemporary artists of present Ukraine. In existence since the fall of 2005, the group consists of 7 members, ages 8-14, from Mississauga and surrounding communities. They are: Theodore Pucak, Roman Pucak, Adriana Tuz, Olena Pankiw, Natalia Terek, Alexa Gobosh and Bohdan Tyvodar. These young singers perform individually as solo artists as well as in a group setting.  The group is under the auspices of St. Mary's Ukrainian Church in Mississauga, Ontario. Melodia participates at all religious church events throughout the year. The group also wins top awards at the annual Ukrainian Music Festival, and participates in the annual Toronto Ukrainian Festival in Bloor West Village. In 2008 they performed at the Zoloty Klen festival at SUM Veselka in Acton. The artistic director of the group Melodia is Oksana Zelinska-Shevchuk.

Mosaic

Oleg Melnitchouk and Iryna Teneta are well known Ukrainian performers they have been performing together as duet within the Ukrainian music band ‘Mosaic’ for over a year now. They have performed at both concerts and festivals along with other musical events such as weddings, parties and corporate functions all over North America. Their repertoire includes both traditional Ukrainian folk songs and contemporary modern tunes. The duo performs many of their own songs and music along with other already popular songs. Their recently released album "Klenovyi prysmak” has been extremely popular and successful. Songs such as “Tango lita” “Lemkivskyi hlopchyk” highlighted the duo’s success and brought them lots of attention. One of the highlight achievements was the performance in the Lemko Vatra 2010 in Canada. The duo’s popularity has grown so much that they will now be performing in Ukrainian Festivals in Buffalo and Pittsburgh. For more information about Mosaic please visit www.ukrmosaic.com

Nadia Kobelak

Nadia Kobelak has always been a music enthusiast.  Having been classically trained on the piano, she has expanded her musical interests into singing.  As a young musician, Nadia started writing her own songs where she applied all her professionally acquired knowledge into different musical genres.  Nadia is not limited to a specific genre of music.  Her singing styles include pop, hip-hop, & dance.  Her tunes are upbeat and energetic. has performed at different venues in the United States and Canada such as Soyuzivka, NY, Canada's National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, Manitoba.  Just this summer Nadia has performed at both Lemkivski Vatry in Ellenville, NY and here in Ontario, Rochester Ukrainian Festival, NY, Ukraine's Independence Day at Centennial, UketoberFest in Chicago, IL.  Nadia has performed at the Bloor West Ukrainian Village Festival in Toronto for many years now, starting as a Ukrainian dancer, to a singer on the mini stage, moving onto the main stage. For more information please visit www.myspace.com/nadiaokobelak 

Mykola and Mihailo Panczenko are brothers who have previously participated in both the Toronto Ukrainian Festival and the Ukrainian Young Talent Festival. These singers both attend St. Sofia School;  Mykola is in grade 7 and Mihailo is in grade 5. They both take karate and like to play hockey and soccer.  They also play musical instruments; Mykola plays the piano while Mihailo plays the bandura. 

Prut

PRUT was formed in 2008 in Toronto performing Ukrainian fold and pop music, at different parties, shows and special occasions.  Prut's band members are musicians with a Ukrainian background and years of experience. Leonid Kovalenko - keyboard, bass guitar, vocal, sound engineer. Roman Khopta - lead vocal, giutar, sopilka. Valentyna Ivashchenko - lead vocall.  Prut has participated in various celebrations including Toronto Ukrainian Festival and Independence Day, Centenntial Park in 2008 and Carassuaga in 2009, 2010.  Watch Prut on the youTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=434--ada8XI

Pyx

PYX: Movement, energy, force, perpetual evolution. 
A dance with no choreography- a passion like no other.
Participate in the performance.
Check us out on Facebook :http://www.facebook.com/pages/PYX/109223439407

Pryvit Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Kitchener - Waterloo)

For over15 years the Pryvit Ukrainian Dance Ensemble has enjoyed performing for audiences across Southwestern Ontario. The dance group gathers  to learn, practice, rehearse and perfect the exciting but technically challenging art form of Ukrainian Dance. The performing group consists of 14 dedicated members ranging in ages from 15 to 23. They share a strong passion for Ukrainian culture and love expressing this passion through their performances. Through their dedication, talent and energy, the group is continually refining this unique art form and preserving a rich heritage.Using colourful, authentic costumes and music from regions across Ukraine, audiences have been thrilled to see performances which depict both precision and grace. Artistic Director and Choreographer: Halyna Polischuk, Choreographer: Andrew Polischuk, Group Manager: Rosalie Polischuk

Roman Kuk is a 12 year old singer. He was born in Ukraine and has been singing for 5 years.  He has participated in many international festivals and has achieved high accolades.  Roman also enjoys painting, dancing, and soccer.

Scrumpy Jack

Scrumpy Jack is a 4-piece classic rock and blues band based in Toronto, Ontario. Each member brings years of live experience, skill and, above all, a love of great music. While the music they play is ever so slightly off the beaten path, they, and their fans, wouldn’t have it any other way. By playing music from artists such as Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Cream, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Rolling Stones, The Band, ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Van Morrison, you’ll hear our passion and energy in every song. Please enjoy.

Stefanie Hutka

Stefanie Hutka is a twenty-year-old Toronto-based, classically-trained violinist.  Stefanie is a veteran performer at the Ukrainian Festival.  She has successfully completed her ARCT Degree for Violin Performance with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and performs solo and in ensembles, including orchestral performance with members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.   Stefanie has studied under many masters, including Vasyl Popadiuk, who taught and accompanied her for her Royal Conservatory exams.  She also composes, and has performed her compositions at various Toronto festivals and for independent film.  Stefanie Hutka is currently a graduate student at the University of Toronto, studying auditory cognitive neuroscience.  Learn more about Stefanie Hutka and her musical offerings at www.stringsinmotioninc.com

Stephania Romaniuk

Blending classical artistry, Ukrainian folk and vintage-pop lyricism, with a deep sense of drama and character, Stephania Romaniuk has been called "mesmerizing" on the stage. Trained for 11 years in the classical voice tradition, but having performed for the same amount of time in Ukrainian music and dramatic productions, this young Calgary-based soprano blends the two worlds in her unique performances. Stephania's repertoire features the works of Volodymyr Ivasiuk, the 1950s cabaret songs of Bohdan Wesolowsky, lyrical and up-tempo folk songs of all kinds, and she has recently begun to add to her repertoire the songs of the Ukrainian-American singer, Kvitka. Her inspirations are Kvitka, Alexis Kochan, Pid Oblachkom, and Pink Martini, although Stephania's sound is all her own. www.sajromaniuk.com

Tamara Terefenko

Tamara Terefenko has always show a passion for the arts. She has been involved in all aspects of Ukrainian arts, from dancing with Barvinok to playing the bandura. She has performed at numerous venues such as Yarmarok at St. Mary's Ukrainian Church and recently performed at the Lemkivska Vatra 25th anniversary festival. This will not be her first appearance at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival. She hopes to continue returning and exciting the crowd will lively Ukrainian music.

Trio Syaivo is a female vocal trio consisting of Solomiya Salo, Ivanna Salo and Andriyana Chychkevych. All three girls were born in the town of Lviv, Ukraine and came to know each other while singing in the youth ensemble, Prolisok. The trio was founded a year ago, and the girls' love for Ukrainian songs has been shared not only in Canada, but also in the United States, and even overseas, in Germany.

The Ukrainian Academy of Dance was founded in 1987 in Toronto, Canada, as a Ukrainian folk-dance school for ages 3 to adult.  The senior performing group, Arkan Dance Company, as Ukrainian-Canadian ambassadors, courtesy of Folklore Canada, has traveled to Florida, New York, Taiwan, Brazil, China, Drummondville, Quebec, Dauphin, Manitoba, Ukraine, Mexico, Turkey, Italy and this September to Anseong, South Korea. In July 2006, Arkan placed third in an international folk competition in Istanbul. They have performed for the United Nations, Royal Ontario Museum and for many dignitaries locally and abroad. In 2007, 3 younger groups from the Academy traveled to perform at Walt Disney World and at the St. Petersburg, Florida International Folk Fair; this year they performed at La Fete des Enfants de Montreal. They have been chosen from the school of The Ukrainian Academy of Dance and range in age from 8 – 13 years old. The Ukrainian Academy of Dance and Arkan Dance Company celebrate their 24th anniversary this year. 

Valeriya Hmyrenko is an 18 year old singer originally from Kyiv, Ukraine. She has been singing and dancing since the age of 5. In May of this year she won first place in the Golden Voice Canada competition. She is also a dancer in the group Vesnyanka organized by Pan Boldetsky, and performs in the women's choir that is organized by Irina Drogobytska. 

The journey for Vasyl Popadiuk from Ukraine to Toronto has been one of musical adventure. 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. During the past year Vasyl has assembled his new 6 piece band Papa Duke and recorded his first album with them. The band name is a play on Vasyl's last name and the fact that he is considered by many to be the 'duke' of gypsy violin. They have already headlined at Harbourfront, the Burlington Jazz & Blues fest, and with the Mississauga Symphony at the Living Arts Centre. Papa Duke's music is best described as 'Gypsy World Fusion' with classical, jazz, latin and pop undertones. papaduke.com

Vesnianka

Vesnianka which comes from the Ukrainian word "Spring", arose from a small group of Ukrainian immigrants who not only recognized the economic but also the cultural opportunities that Canada had to offer. Mr. Mykola Baldeckyj started Vesnianka with only 3 dance couples. At the same time he approached many Ukrainian speaking heritage schools and convinced them to add the performing art of learning to dance, as an extra curriculum activity. By 1969 accomplished younger students graduated and then nurtured the group of Vesnianka to a size of 80 dancers. 3 generations of young dancers have performed world-wide! Currently Vesnianka’s Artistic Director is Toronto’s Stefan Kuziw. Stefan was asked to take the reigns by Mr. Baldeckyj in the fall of 2008 and has added new numbers to Vesnianka's repertoire as well as revived older choreographies.

Yuliya Stupen is a 16 year old singer. She was born in Lvivska Oblast, Ukraine and current lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yuliya is a junior in high school and she is completing her senior year in Ukrainian school. She has performed over 400 times in the tri-state area and beyond, including the Taras Shevchenko Opera Theater and Palatz Ykraina in Kyiv and other venues in Ukraine. She is the Prizewinner of the 2009 International Competition "Moloda Halychyna" in Ukraine; the Prizewinner of the 2008 Children's Competition "Sribnyj Dzvinochok" in New York; and she has received a certificate from the Kyiv Patrirchate for participation in the United Nations and the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington. Yuliya plays various instruments such as the piano, the guitar, and the Ukrainian national instrument, the bandura. She continues to develop her talent in singing and pursues her dreams of becoming a musician and travel the world.

Zirka

Zirka is a band of six musicians who love to play their instruments and have a good time. Peter and Morris Hucal started the band when they were 12 years old playing guitar and accordion. Five years later their brother Johnny joined in on trumpet, then a couple years later their sister Katherine on sax. Bill Hawryschuk joined the band three years ago, bringing with him the experiences of playing drums with Solovey, Burya and Dunai. Karen Aniol joined the band two years ago on violin. Zirka has performed at countless zabavas, weddings and festivals over the years. www.zirkamusic.com

Zubrivka

Zubrivka is a Ukrainian folk band from Toronto, Canada, specializing in acoustic renditions of traditional Ukrainian folk songs. Like the lush grass that grows on the steppes of Ukraine (where the band gets its name), the music of Zubrivka captures the emotion and richness of Ukrainian heritage and folklore. Listeners have described Zubrivka's performances as an exciting and emotional experience, almost like being "transformed back in time to Ukraine". Zubrivka has performed at a number of festivals and events throughout Ontario including Toronto's Harbourfront Centre, the Barrie Ukrainian Festival, and the Millrace Festival of Traditional Music in Cambridge. www.myspace.com/zubrivka