Artist Directory
Stephania Romaniuk
Biography
Ukrainian-Canadian soprano Stephania Romaniuk is a performer who blends vocal ability, intellectual curiosity and a fierce imagination. Stephania sings in classical, musical theatre and Ukrainian vintage pop styles and recently released an album of 1930-50s Ukrainian cabaret songs entitled “By-Gone Days” which is available on iTunes and CDBaby.
Passionate about the intersection of music, ethics, aesthetics and philosophy, she founded the website “howtolistentoclassicalmusic.com” and is a regular contributor. She has written for ACUAVitae, Ukrainian News, and several other publications.
Notes
Stephania is available to perform, lecture, write and edit upon request.
Joyanne Rudiak
Biography
Joyanne is a singer/actor/coach who performs musical theatre, teaches a variety of acting, speech and musical theatre classes as well as cantors weddings/funerals for the Ukrainian Catholic Church. She is also a blogger (byzynerd.wordpress.com).
Notes
Joyanne is available to perform Ukrainian folk/liturgical songs at special events with her duo partner Christina Csernyanski, as well as cantor regular/special church services. Joyanne runs workshops on public speaking and voice production (including singing), focusing on building confidence for emerging and professional artists, businesspeople, the religious and lay readers.
Ruta Youth Musical Ensemble
Biography
Ruta is a vocal, musical youth ensemble that sings and plays musical instruments at various cultural events in Edmonton, promoting Ukrainian culture and arts.
Notes
Ruta Youth Musical Ensemble is available to perform at various events.
Ken Saik
Biography
Ken is a retired senior high school teacher who writes poems, short stories and novels. Ken has read poems and short stories to groups. He leads 2 writers circles and teaches creative writing at Northgate Seniors center in Edmonton. Ken’s creative writing includes suspense/mystery, travel/romance and faith/family genres.
Notes
Ken sells his books at several area farmers markets. His books are also available to purchase through his web site.
Robert Sawa
Biography
Robert Sawa is a retired teacher. His art usually deals with some Ukrainian and Canadian rural themes using oil paints or photography. His paintings include historical settings and landscapes.
June Scraba- Mielnichuk
Biography
June Scraba-Mielnichuk is a retired educator pursuing the field of photography. Her focus is capturing unique forms , vivid color, subtle blends, and images that intrigue the eye, including floral, abstract, travel and architectural forms. A tropical hibiscus, poppies unfolding, glasscapes, the terracotta’s of Mexico and compositional forms are part of her showings. Her summer 2014 show at the Pava Gallery was part of the The Works Festival and entitled Surfacescapes . Macro images were extracted from found forms were featured.
Notes
June sells photographs and all occasion greeting cards.
Lyuba Seletska
Notes
Lyuba will demonstrate her art and is willing teach conduct workshops or teach a class.
Larisa Sembaliuk – Cheladyn
Biography
Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn is a visual artist working predominantly in watercolours. She graduated from the University of Alberta in 1981 with her BFA in Art & Design. Since that time Larisa has become well known for her children’s book illustrations and her large scale exhibitions including “Flowers of the Bible”, “Baba’s Garden”, “Celebrating Women”, and “Dance Me…” (inspired by the works of Leonard Cohen).
Notes
Larisa sells her paintings on-line, from her home studio and at festivals. Please call to book appointments to view art at Larisa’s home. Larisa will teach workshops and demonstrate techniques by invitation.
Valeriy Semenko
Biography
Valeriy is an painter and graphic designer. He works in watercolor, acrylic, gouache and oil. Valeriy also designs brochures, booklets, greeting cards and more.
Notes
Valeriy sells his artwork. He is also available as a freelance graphic designer.
Jim Serediak
Biography
Jim is a guitar song writer who also plays the bandura and sings. He has cultivated a life-long interest in music by becoming a singer / songwriter / performer. Jim has also cultivated an interest in many different instruments including the bandura.
Notes
Jim has various recordings and videos available via i-tunes and youtube.
Jim is available for performances.
Nicholai Shapka
Biography
Nicholai is a talented Tsymbala player. He is available for solo performances to enhance your event.
Pamela Shapka
Biography
Pamela writes ukrainian easter eggs, pysanky. She also enjoys the ukrainian painting style of Petrikivka. Pamela does henna and face painting.
Notes
Pamela is available for instruction of both pysanka and petrikivka in a workshop setting as well as private classes and school. Pamela is also available for demonstrations of her craft.
Lyrissa Sheptak
Biography
Lyrissa is a historian and writer by training and education and is available to undertake projects that involve these specializations. She is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. Lyrissa is also passionate about the folk art form of writing pysanky. It was Lyrissa’s mother who taught her and she has been writing herself for 36 years.
Notes
Lyrissa teaches the art of pysanka writing in schools to children as young as kindergarten. She has instructed church and seniors groups as well and is available for demonstration and instruction as she loves to share the art form with anyone who is willing to learn!
Peter Shostak
Biography
Much of Shostak’s art reflects his memories of growing up on the prairies during the late forties and fifties. Two publications, When Nights Were Long and Saturday Came But Once A Week, reveal some of his personal history. In 1997, he collaborated with Vancouver writer, David Bouchard, on the book Prairie Born. His latest book Hockey…under winter skies was released in the fall of 2000.
Shostak’s most ambitious project, to which he devoted five years of painting, was completed in 1991 with the unveiling of his series “For Our Children”. These fifty large oil paintings, which portray early pioneer settlement in Western Canada (based on Ukrainian pioneer experiences), have been exhibited across Canada. All fifty paintings, along with background stories gleaned from Shostak’s many years of research, are reproduced in the coffee table book For Our Children. In the introduction to this book, W.D. Valgardson states, “In his life and his art, Peter Shostak depicts what it means to be Canadian. He honours the memory of all our past lives.”
Notes
Most major cities in Canada have repeatedly hosted exhibitions of Shostak’s work over the past several years and he has completed many commissioned paintings and serigraphs for individuals, organizations and major corporations.
Shostak originals and seriographs are available for sale.
Shumka School of Dance
Biography
Since 1989, our mandate has been to offer a high quality Ukrainian dance training program that provides dancers with a strong background in traditional and contemporary Ukrainian dance. This is achieved through curriculum-based training and stage performance experiences. We strive to create a fun yet educational Ukrainian dance environment with the highest priority placed upon developing the required skills of technique and performance. Shumka School instructors are among the most knowledgeable and experienced dance instructors in Canada.
Notes
We have 4 performances throughout the year: winter performance, spring performance, and two Ukrainian dance festivals. Performances and demonstrations available upon request.
Joyce Sirski-Howell
Biography
Joyce teaches classes in various embroidery techniques, specializing in Ukrainian embroidery. She teaches Ukrainian baking for Christmas and Easter and will make a korovai.
More recently, Joyce has taken an interest in repurposing textiles. As well, she is documenting cookbooks printed / published by Ukrainian organizations in Canada.
Alicia and Stephen Slusarchuk
Biography
Alicia and Stephen are traditional tsymbaly (dulcimer) performers specializing in traditional folk music.
Notes
Alicia and Stephen are available to perform at events big or small: concerts, seniors homes, weddings, festivals, corporate events or private functions.
Orest Soltykevych
Biography
Orest is the conductor of the Verkhovyna Choir. He is also the announcer/producer of the classical choral and vocal music program called “Raising Voices” on CKUA Radio.
Notes
Orest is available for choral workshops.
Lida Somchynsky
Biography
Lida Somchynsky is a freelance writer. She is also working on a collection of short stories. Lida has written for various publications.
Tanya Sotnikow
Biography
Tanya paints in oil and egg tempura.
