UNITED UKRAINE – UNITED WITH US

Performers’ Biographies

• Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Jenkintown,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.
  
  
  
  Photo courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
  

• The Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Whippany, NJ) was formed in 2011 by professional dancer, teacher and choreographer Andrij Cybyk.  After spending 8 years growing the Iskra Ukrainian Dance Academy in Whippany, NJ, Mr. Cybyk decided it was time to create a semi-professional ensemble to give his students something to strive for.  The Iskra Ensemble is comprised of 20 Professional and pre-professional dancers hand-picked by Mr. Cybyk to express his unique style of Ukrainian dance.  To date, the Ensemble has amazed audiences at many local New York and New Jersey festivals, as well as the “Wild West Ukie Fest” in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit and like Iskra on Facebook and watch them on YouTube.
  
  
  
  Photo courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
  

• SPIV-Zhyttya (Living.inSONG).The co-leadership of Stephen Szyszka and Oksana Lassowsky formed SPIV-Zhyttya (Living.inSONG) in 2011 in the nation’s capital. With 16 singers, the a cappella group has delighted audiences at concerts, churches and festivals in Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. By invitation, it has sung the Ukrainian and American national anthems at embassy events commemorating Ukrainian independence, and every March, SPIV-Zhyttya convenes at the Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington DC, gathering with the community to pay tribute in song. Their repertoire includes both the familiar and the new (including premieres of songs by Victor Morozov), and focuses on rarely heard folk, classical and sacred gems of their shared heritage, including selections by Ukrainian composers of note such as Leontovych and Liatoshynksy. Visit and Like SPIV-Zhyttya on Facebook and listen to them on YouTube.
  
  
  
  
  
  Photo courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
  
  
  
• 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.
  
  
  
  Photo courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
  
  
• Vox Ethnika BAND (New York City) Its unique 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, Rusyn, Ukrainian) 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. Visit and like Vox Ethnika on Facebook and watch them on YouTube.
  
  
  
  Photo courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
  
  
• Live Reenactments from Ukrainian History, by Banner of Jasna Gora