Ukrainian Folk Festival 2024
Performers’ Biographies |
DESNA Ukrainian Dance Company of Toronto:
For more than 45 years, Desna has been dazzling audiences throughout Canada, the US and abroad with a wide repertoire of Ukrainian dances. Under the direction of Virsky-trained Yuri & Luba Grekov, Desna presents technically demanding and exhilarating dances accented by exquisite costumes and diverse music. This celebration of movement creates a vibrant spectacle for all audiences to enjoy.
Desna’s repertoire consists of various traditional dances including Hutsul, Bukovynian, Volyn, Kozachok and Hopak. However, it is the group’s strong belief that the key to celebrating and broadening tradition lies in contrasting it with new and different styles of dance. This led to the creation of a series of new dances including the Canadian Country Dance, Gypsy, Spanish Dance, and various comedic numbers.
View some samples of their dynamic artistry on their website galleries: https://www.desna.ca/photos and https://www.desna.ca/videos
Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Jenkintown - Philadelphia, PA)
Voloshky has earned international renown for the vigor and resplendence of its performances. The Voloshky style is bold, powerful, and one of sparkling athleticism. The Ensemble generates a dynamic blend of art and energy characterizing the vitality of the Ukrainian people. Voloshky's artistry and portrayal of Ukrainian dance is testament to a vibrant and enduring culture steeped in rich history. www.voloshky.com.
View two of their fantastic promo videos: THE LARK DANCE by Voloshky - Voloshky Sampler Promo - Ukrainian Gypsy Danace and review some of our Galleries from prior festivals: https://tryzub.org/
Photo courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
Popstar Singer-Songwriter Iryna Lonchyna View and listen some of Ms. Iryna’s videos: STOP WAR ; My Ukraine ; Prykarpattia ; Assortment of Songs
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Violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo (Lviv, Ukraine) Starting at the age of six, Innesa has studied violin with some of Europe’s greatest masters. She has fused the beauty, power and soul of traditional Ukrainian folk music with the classical string instrument - the violin. Her fresh, inventive style has gained critical acclaim from both classical and traditional music critics. Innesa has toured throughout Europe and North America. www.innesa.com.
Photos by Christine Syzonenko and Stephen Fartuszok |
Vox Ethnika Orchestra (New York City)
Their uniquely compositional approach to music has received wide recognition in the USA, Canada and Europe; its style of transforming East European folk music is influential. Vox Ethnika is the only band that performs all manner of Eastern European Folk and Pop music (Ukrainian, Lemko, Rusyn, Czech, Slovak, and Polish) set to unique modern arrangements. It also carries a wide, varied and rich repertoire of American and British music – from the twenties to contemporary top hits. Sample their music Here: Oy U luzi Kalyna and Eneida (Vox Ethnika – on our stage).
Living Ukrainian History Exhibitors, by Banner of Jasna Gora and St. Michael’s Ukrainian Kozaks
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