Menu
Log in


  • HOME
  • Festival Bios 2022

Ukrainian Folk Festival 2022
Celebrating the 31st Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence

Performers’ Biographies


Popstar Singer-Songwriter Iryna Lonchyna
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://www.youtube.com/watch and https://youtu.be/e7Qv08weCD4


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.

View two of their promo videos:  https://www.youtube.com/user/voloshky and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdFayz-Rx-c

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.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.

For a sample of her talents, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jggNbw064Qg&feature=emb_logo

Photos Courtesy of Christine Syzonenko and Kathy Park Photography


ISKRA UKRAINIAN DANCE ENSEMBLE: The Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble 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 Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival at the Ukrainian American Sport Center – Tryzub (near Phila., PA) and the Bloor west Village Ukrainian Festival (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) and “Wild West Ukie Fest” in Phoenix, Arizona. YouTube Link for Preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mkq2GT-pGk


Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble
Founded in 2011, the Ensemble is Our Nation’s Capital’s premiere multi-ethnic folk-dance performance group. Its bountiful Central and East European repertoire consists of dances from Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Macedonia, Russia, Bulgaria, and of the Roma/Gypsy people. The collective is all-volunteer and comes from a variety of backgrounds including immigrants from countries it represents to people who do not have any ethnic heritage from those nations. An intense passion for dance, for music, and for sharing cultures with diverse audiences throughout the Mid-Atlantic region unites the group. Carpathia is an organization not for profit that pursues its stated mission to preserve and to present the cultural dance and music of Central and Eastern Europe. For a broad variety of photos and videos, visit Carpathia at https://www.carpathiadc.org/ .

Photo Courtesy of Carpathia


Alex Lagoda and the Cold Ravine Band

  

Alex Lagoda plays the traditional old world bandura and sings the songs of the Ukrainian Kozaks. Cold Ravine is a folk rock band named after the place where the Ukrainian independence movement of 1768 began. The band plays Ukrainian songs in a folk rock style and celebrates the culture and free spirit of Ukraine. Here is a sample of their music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdNH3sA2CzA , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttUEGK8T8wU, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFdsLVJZLfs


Live Reenactments from Ukrainian History, by Banner of Jasna Gora



Yuliya Stupen

Often referred to as the Nightingale of Philadelphia’s Ukrainian American community, Yuliya Stupen has a very special singing voice that is bolstered by a special talent for music and its arrangement and presentation. She often appears as the lead singer for the band Soloway and has performed the anthems, in advance of significant sporting and cultural events at world-class venues, such as Madison Square Garden. 

Enjoy some of her works:


 Sponsor  Friend of UASC Tryzub
   

Ukrainian American Sport Center - Tryzub is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software