MAIN STAGE:
VOCAL & INSTRUMENTAL
DALI
Almost four years ago, these girls met at the same school and discovered that there is one trait that unites all five: a love for music and a desire to sing. This is how the DALI group was created. They are restless, they are loud, at times pensive, at times mischievous, sometimes they quarrel (but quickly reconcile) but they are always ready to provide you with positive emotions through their music!
HOOSLI UKRAINIAN MALE CHORUS
Hoosli has entertained audiences for over 50 years with its repertoire of liturgical music and traditional folk songs, as well as the patriotic songs of Ukraine and the Kozaky. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and under the direction of Tadeusz Biernacki, the majesty and passion of Hoosli’s four-part male harmonies infuse emotion and power into every performance. Hoosli is named after an ancient Ukrainian musical instrument similar to a zither, which represents versatility and vitality, for it produces not only music, but a feeling as well. It is both a connection to the past and a song to the future.
To learn more about Hoosli, you can visit their website at www.hoosli.com, or on your favourite social media platform:
- Facebook – www.facebook.com/HoosliUMC
- Twitter – twitter.com/Hoosli
- Instagram – www.instagram.com/hoosli_wpg/
LYRA
Lyra has been enchanting audiences with their soulful interpretations of Ukrainian folk music for many years. They have performed at numerous festivals and events across Canada, and have been members of Winnipeg folk choirs, zabava bands and musical ensembles. Let the music of Lyra gladden your heart and captivate your spirit. Here are Katrusia Basarab, Sofia Bilozor and Larissa Klymkiw – LYRA!
MELOS FOLK ENSEMBLE
Melos Folk Ensemble, under the artistic direction of Liana Stecky and Mike Zakaluzny, brings together some of Winnipeg’s finest singers, dancers, and musicians. Founded in 2006, the original vision was to start a group that combined the elements of music, song, and dance, and one that was willing to embrace all areas of artistic creativity. It was this mindset and philosophy that has allowed Melos to evolve into the Ensemble we see today. Unique and refreshing, Melos integrates both traditional and contemporary Ukrainian folk artistry, as part of the Canadian multi-cultural experience.
OBERIH
In the English language there is no specific translation for the Ukrainian word “Оберіг” (pronounced “oberih”) but multiple variations of it include amulet, charm or a talisman. The word shares common roots with the words “берег” (pronounced “bereh”) which is a “coast” or a “shore” and the word for “protect” which is “берегти” (pronounced “berehty”). This is extremely symbolic and accurately conveys the idea of creating our choir: the people who came to the Canadian coast protect and preserve Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian song.
Ages ago, our ancestors surrounded themselves and their homes with oberihs – symbols and objects that can protect, avert evil and shield from danger. A cross, a Vyshyvanka, didukh, a horseshoe, an Easter egg, a wreath, a cradle… We offer you another ancient oberih of our people – their musical heritage, where good strength, sincere thought and pure heart flow with sounds from the depths of the ages.
O.KOSHETZ CHOIR
Since 1946, Winnipeg’s O. Koshetz Choir has been an integral component of Manitoba’s cultural mosaic. The largest and oldest community-based Ukrainian choir in Canada, the group’s objective is to promote and preserve Ukrainian choral music through the performance of folk, historic, religious, and other varied works. The choir originated from summer music courses conducted by Maestro Oleksander and Tetyana Koshetz at the Ukrainian National Federation Hall in Winnipeg in the early 1940s. In 1992, the choir became the first cultural entity beyond Ukraine’s borders to be awarded the prestigious Taras Shevchenko Medal by the government of a free and independent Ukraine. The group was lauded for “meritorious bridging work between Canada and Ukraine and propagation of Ukraine’s musical heritage.”
The choir has travelled extensively across Canada, the United States, Western Europe, South America and has toured Ukraine four times. In Manitoba, the O. Koshetz Choir has performed at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra on five occasions, in numerous collaborations with prominent local artists and at countless multicultural and Ukrainian-community events.
Miroslava Paches was named director of Koshetz Choir in June 2009. Graduating from the Lviv State Music Academy (Theory, Composition, Musicianship), she completed earlier studies at the Uzhorod State Music College (Majors in Piano, Choral Conducting, and Music Theory) – where, as a music student, she first saw the Choir in performance on its 1993 tour of Ukraine. Today, Miroslava also conducts the choir at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral.
For more information, follow O. Koshetz Choir on social media:
O.KOSHETZ CHOIR MALE ENSEMBLE
The O. Koshetz Male Ensemble was formed in 2022. Also under the direction of Mira Paches, the ensemble features and highlights the younger males within the choir in rich full arrangements and harmonies that only young men can deliver on. These young ambassadors of the Choir and Ukrainain Choral music make every person sit up and pay attention.
PACHES TRIO
The three Paches brothers, Stepan, Yaroslav and Alexander, were born and raised in Winnipeg and are proud of their Ukrainian heritage. The singing journey started for the boys at a very young age under the tutelage of their mother, Miroslava, and still continues with many prominent and gifted teachers, vocal coaches, conductors, performers. These young men enjoy making harmonies as a trio, singing in various choirs and vocal ensembles, and performing solo at many events throughout the city and beyond. Paches Trio is heavily rooted in their culture and traditions, always striving contribute to the betterment of the Ukrainian community.
TODASCHUK SISTERS
Winnipeg’s TODASCHUK SISTERS have captivated audiences throughout North America and Ukraine. Their performances have taken them from Celebrations in Los Angeles to the PNE in Vancouver, from Winnipeg’s Folklorama to the Pan American Games, Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin to festivals in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, New York as well as two tours in Ukraine. Rosemarie and Charlene also sing the anthems for major sports events and organizations.
Fronting their own Jazz Trios, they enjoy entertaining at many prestigious events, and Rosemarie, a singer at the annual TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and Leo Mol Sculpture Gardens, released her debut Jazz CD to much acclaim. Charlene, a visual artist living in Montreal, had her debut Art Exhibit at the Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion during Winnipeg’s Folklorama with many exhibits since then, most recently at the Pysanka Festival in Alberta and the Entropy Exhibit in Montreal.
The TODASCHUK SISTERS have four internationally distributed recording albums to their credit. The first two include traditional, contemporary and original Ukrainian songs, and their third is a treasured Christmas album which includes beautiful renditions of Koliadky and Shchedrivky. The TODASCHUK SISTERS recorded and released their fourth CD featuring contemporary Ukrainian songs such as “Mamyna Sorochka” and “Odna Kalyna” as well as classic folk songs such as “Ivanky, Ivanky”, all arranged and performed by Andrij Czerny of Veselka fame from Montreal!
All of their CD’s are available for purchase in Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion’s Boutique.
For more information about the Todaschuk Sisters and their recordings, please visit www.RosemarieTodaschuk.com
