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Ukrainian Folk Festival 2026
Performers’ Biographies
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Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Chicago
"The skill and virtuosity of this company performing the spirited national "Hopak" dance cannot be underestimated..." - The Chicago Tribune
Hromovytsia (“Thunderstorm”) is a powerhouse Ukrainian dance ensemble driven by talent, passion, and cultural pride. Led by Roxana Dykyj‑Pylypczak, the group has spent decades redefining Ukrainian dance, captivating audiences, and showcasing the beauty and depth of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Based in Chicagoland, Hromovytsia is a local favorite, appearing before massive live and televised audiences at the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade and Dance Chicago, one of the world’s largest dance festivals, where it has shared the stage with icons such as The Joffrey Ballet, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance, and Hubbard Street Dance.
The ensemble has toured Ukraine and Western Europe twice and has been featured at major Chicago events including the grand opening of Millennium Park, the Sister Cities Festival, NBC 5’s Morning Show, and philanthropic galas for the University of Chicago Cancer Research and the Fermi National Physics Laboratory.
Hromovytsia’s reach also extends across North America, with performances at festivals such as Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival, the Verkhovyna Ukrainian Festival in New York, the Washington D.C. Ukrainian Festival, Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, and Toronto’s Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival, which draws more than 250,000 attendees.
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
Singer-Songwriter Olha Shanis
Singer-Songwriter Olha Shanis is a captivating performer with a powerful voice and an original performance style. A true multi‑genre artist—spanning pop, jazz, funk, soul, disco, rock, folk, and classical—Shanis energizes every performance with luminous melodies and propulsive rhythms, delivered with unmistakable positive energy and sensual flair. Working with Disney and Warner Brothers she became the official Ukrainian voice of the character Elsa in the movie “Frozen”. Shanis has also provided soundtracks for such cartoons as: "Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy" (Zarina); "Ice Age: Collision Course” (Brook); "Elena of Avalor" (Elena); and "Small foot" (Meechee). A further sampling of her extensive list of accomplishments includes:
SAMPLES:
Spirit of the Dance – Дух Танцю Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Washington DC Metro Area)
Photo Credits: Stephen Fartuszok, Missy Mykyta, Ian Jaranson Spirit of the Dance – Дух Танцю is a Ukrainian dance ensemble rooted in the folk-stage tradition and shaped through a choreographic approach that values musicality, character, and narrative clarity. Under the artistic direction of Roman Mykyta, the ensemble brings together artists from classical ballet and folk backgrounds to create and present Ukrainian choreographic art. The ensemble’s repertoire includes original choreographic interpretations of regional dance traditions of Ukraine, alongside narrative miniatures and short theatrical works inspired by cultural themes, poetic imagery, and moments drawn from Ukrainian history and literature. Through this balance of tradition and original interpretation, Spirit of the Dance – Дух Танцю engages audiences with Ukrainian culture as a living, evolving art form. Ensemble links: Video samples of selected works:
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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 |
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Vox Ethnika Orchestra (New York City)
Photo courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
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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