UNITED UKRAINE – UNITED WITH US

Performers’ Biographies

• Iryna Lonchyna (Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine): An “Honored Artist of Ukraine” and winner of many national and international awards and song and music contests, this superstar pop singer started singing, studying music and performing in the fourth grade. She has been a featured singer in many concerts, radio and television programs and festivals throughout Ukraine, Europe, Canada and the United States. She not only sings known traditional and modern songs, but also composes and arranges her own lyrics and music. She has authored no less than three albums: The “Strings of Love” (2006), “DoNot Forget Me” (2010); and “A Bouquet of My Songs” (2015). Among her immensely popular songs are: “Forget Me”; The Days Go By”;  and “This is My Ukraine”. Visit Ms. Iryna’s facebook Page,  https://www.facebook.com/iryna.lonchyna, and view her videos on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJt-PopRyMand https://youtu.be/e7Qv08weCD4
  
  

  Photo courtesy of Iryna Lonchyna

• 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

• Efsane Crimean Tatar Ensemble: Based in The Crimean Tatar Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York, Efsane (“Crimean Legend”) was established as a youth ensemblein the year 2006.  Initially a spin-off of the Ismail Gasprinskiy school for language and culture, Efsane has matured through three generations and flowered into a 40 member ensemble of Crimean Tatars interested in not only preserving, but also featuring and promoting their brilliant cultural heritage and history. The ensemble has performed in numerous culturally diverse concerts, shows and competitions:  and festivals: Q?r?m Gecesi, (“Crimeam Night”); The Turkish Day Parade; The Zlata Usta Balkan festival; many Ukrainian festivals; Lincoln Center; Nevruz celebrations throughout the country; The Azerbaijani cultural association; New York Police festivals; Turkish Night at Yale University; and more. See them on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5xO72jBEbE&feature=youtu.be (Turkish Festival, Washington, DC, 2016)
  

  Photos by Chris 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
  

• 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 and the Kuban Kozak Society