Main Stage Performers
Sponsored By:
The UFest Main Stage will be the center of entertainment with live bands, local choirs, musical soloists, and Ukrainian dance ensembles performing throughout the festival. Performer merchandise will be available next to the performance stages.
Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association
Edmonton Alberta
Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Academy
Edmonton, Alberta
Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Academy
Edmonton, Alberta
The Ukrainian Cheremosh Society, through its training and educational programs, strives to cultivate dancers of the highest caliber. It is the hope and intention of the Ukrainian Cheremosh Society to encourage all of our dancers to embrace the complexity, beauty and art that is Ukrainian dance and through their own creativity, dedication and commitment utilize this educational opportunity to its fullest.
The School of Dance Academy program offers a training program that is more in-depth and exposes dancers to more styles and regions of Ukrainian dance. A high level of commitment and self-motivation, as well as a love of dance, is required to meet this program’s high standards. The Academy Program is aimed at providing dancers with the skills and experience to audition for the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company.
Within the Academy Program there are three performing groups: Chumak 1, Chumak 2 & Cheremshyna. Since 1991, The Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company and School of Dance has had the privilege of working with Artistic Director and Ballet Master Mykola Kanevets.
Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company
Edmonton, Alberta
Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company
Edmonton, Alberta
Cheremosh is a leader in Ukrainian Dance in Canada and we have had phenomenal success as a semi-professional Ukrainian dance company the world over. Our dancing is rich in intensity, energy, and spirit, and we have a reputation for bringing amazing choreography to the stage. We take audiences on a colorful and exhilarating journey, thrilling them with intricate choreography, spectacular costumes and dynamic music. Men leap to amazing heights with their breathtaking acrobatics while women spin across the stage with incredible beauty and grace. Our 50-member dance company is without a doubt a sight to behold.
Under the artistic direction of ballet master, Mykola Kanevets our dancers train in demi classical ballet, character and Ukrainian dance technique. This allows us to bring the polish of classical ballet while keeping the boisterousness and vivacity of folk dance that audiences crave.
Cheremosh is extremely versatile and we tailor our show packages to your stage, audience, theatre season, and budget. We do shows from 15 minutes to entire two-hour programs. Part of our mandate as a dance company is to give back to the communities we dance in and we have both school show and dance workshop packages available.
Current company dancers will say that some of their favourite moments while on tour happen during our community outreach workshops. Teaching sections of company choreography to aspiring (or totally new) dancers and then having them approach us after the show with a sparkle in their eye saying ‘I know how do that combination you did in the second dance!’ is a feeling second to none. Witnessing how making the arts accessible can change a child’s life is exactly what Cheremosh is trying to accomplish.
When Cheremosh comes to your community, we leave an impact like no other, and your patrons will always want more.
Dunai Dancers
Edmonton, Alberta
Dunai Dancers
Edmonton, Alberta
The Dunai dance troupe was formed in 1974, when 14 young and energetic people signed up to dance to the choreography of Mr. Roman Manastersky. The group was named after the Danube River, in the heart of Eastern Europe. The Verkhovyna Dunai dancers are comprised of 25 female and male dancers ranging in ages from 18 to 28 years. They are under the direction of artistic director Caitlin Loree and Assistant Director Loren Winnick. The company's unique choreography has been warmly accepted at performances, banquets, receptions, conventions, multicultural showcases, festivals, and full-length shows. Their repertoire consists of various traditional and staged folk dances from different regions of Ukraine. As part of the Verkhovyna Ukrainian Song and Dance Ensemble, Dunai aims to promote Ukrainian culture and increase awareness of Ukrainian heritage. Verkhovyna thrives on enabling its own members, audiences, and community to build friendships, a sense of belonging and an extended family.
Edmonton School of Ukrainian Dance
Edmonton, Alberta
Lowicz Polish Folklore Dance Ensemble
Edmonton, Alberta
Oleksandr Danyleiko
Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton
Parkland Ukrainian Dancers Society
Stony Plain, Alberta
Parkland Ukrainian Dancers Society
Stony Plain, Alberta
For 40 years, the Parkland Ukrainian Dancers have been preserving Ukrainian Culture in Parkland County. Established in 1983, Parkland Ukrainian Dancers Society (PUDS) allows the youth of the community an opportunity to experience and appreciate Ukrainian culture through costume, music and dance.
The group currently has 51 dancers amongst 7 groups, ranging in age from 3 years old to adult, and is led by artistic director Kayla Devaux. Today's performance has brand new music created by composer Carlene Friesen with Kur Excellence funded by the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association.
St. Basil’s School of Dance and Kupalo
Edmonton, Alberta
St. Martin Ukrainian Dance Academy
Edmonton, Alberta
St. Martin Ukrainian Dance Academy
Edmonton, Alberta
The Ukrainian Dance Academy is a great way for children to experience Ukrainian culture, learn the history of the Ukrainian dance, build flexibility for other sports, leadership opportunities, and builds life-long friendships. It is comprised of classical ballet, character ballet, and Ukrainian dance techniques.Our instructional team of Megan Alexandruk, Debbie Kachmar Potter and Zhenia Bahri challenge our students to be the best they can be. Their collaborative knowledge has created a fantastic program for the students of St. Martin.
St. Matthew Dance Academy
Edmonton, Alberta
St. Matthew Dance Academy
Edmonton, Alberta
The Ukrainian Dance Academy is a great way for children to experience Ukrainian culture, learn the history of the Ukrainian dance, build flexibility for other sports, leadership opportunities, and builds life-long friendships. It is comprised of classical ballet, character balle, and Ukrainian dance techniques. Our instructional team of Debbie Kachmar Potter and Zhenia Bahri challenge our students to be the best they can be. Their collaborative knowledge has created a fantastic program for the students of St. Matthew.
Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton
Edmonton, Alberta
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers
Edmonton, Alberta
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers
Edmonton, Alberta
Established in Edmonton in 1959, the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers present dance-theatre touring productions across Canada and around the world. Seen by millions on international broadcasts, the company has presented command performances for Queens and Presidents and have performed alongside the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Julie Andrews. While maintaining deep respect for their heritage, Shumka continually challenges conventional boundaries to define the experience of Ukrainian dance in the context of today’s society. Shumka has an extensive repertoire of original works including Shumka’s Nutcracker, Kobzar, Ancestors & Elders, Mosquito’s Wedding, Echoes of Hopak, and its work in progress based on the imagination of Lesia Ukrainka.
In 2022, Shumka was awarded the Shevchenko Medal by the National Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the highest such award of merit in Canada recognizing outstanding national contributions in culture and the arts. In the same year, Shumka also received the Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Ukraine – Heritage, Spirit and Future Award, recognizing and celebrating exceptional talent in performing artists of Ukrainian heritage in Canada. Last year also saw Shumka celebrate its 60th anniversary with Shumka on Tour including 12 performances in six cities across Canada.
In recent years, Shumka has also produced numerous award-winning dance films including Ancestors & Elders, Dancing on Eggshells, and Promised Land. It is currently in post-production with a 3-D version of the whimsical Mosquito’s Wedding which premiered in 2023. Part of Shumka’s mandate is the creation of a centre of excellence in dance education to prepare the next generation of dancers in the art form.
The Shumka School of Dance trains over 200 young dancers using North America’s only syllabus for Ukrainian dance, in addition to contemporary movement and RAD ballet instruction. Studia Shumka – a junior performing ensemble and training program between the School and the professional Shumka company - was established in the Fall of 2018. Shumka also offers Ukrainian-dance and RAD-based fitness classes for seniors and adults including its popular Seniors Can Shumka and Silver Swans programs. Shumka is based in the Shumka Dance Centre in downtown Edmonton. For more information, visit shumka.com
Veeteretz School of Ukrainian Dance
Edmonton, Alberta
Veeteretz School of Ukrainian Dance
Edmonton, Alberta
The Veeteretz School of Ukrainian dance is celebrating over 45 years of Excellence in Dance in the Heart of North Edmonton.
Veeteretz is a community-based program committed to delivering authentic, traditional Ukrainian Dance instruction in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Our dance program sets challenging yet realistic expectations for participants while exploring Ukrainian Culture.
Verkhovyna Ukrainian Choir
Edmonton, Alberta
Verkhovyna Ukrainian Choir
Edmonton, Alberta
The Verkhovyna Choir was formed in 1959, as a female vocal group. Under the direction of Mr. M. Sochaniwsky, their first conductor, the choir made their first public appearance on April 24, 1960. The choir remained a female entity until 1976, when its membership was expanded to include male voices.
The Verkhovyna Choir specializes in interpreting the traditional song and dance of the Ukrainian people. On the Edmonton Ukrainian cultural landscape, choral singing boasts a proud and accomplished tradition, and Verkhovyna has always been driven to consistently widen its repertoire while improving each member's singing technique. Verkhovyna has grown to produce dramatic renditions of traditional, ancestral and folkloric themes, as well as introducing interpretive works that depict the contemporary realities of an independent Ukraine.
Today, the Verkhovyna Choir consists of more than twenty five dedicated individuals under the direction of Namisha Greening, who thrive as a group that is always warmly received at various community celebrations, receptions, banquets, multicultural showcases, and their many self-produced full-length shows. This year Verkhovyna Choir celebrates its 65th Anniversary.
Verkhovyna School of Ukrainian Dance
Edmonton, Alberta
Verkhovyna School of Ukrainian Dance
Edmonton, Alberta
Verkhovyna School of Ukrainian Dance is a parent-operated dance school with approximately 100 students in 8 classes. The age range of our students is from 3 to adult and students rehearse once per week and perform several times per year.
Our instructors have extensive Ukrainian dance and teaching experience and encourage our students to strive for excellence while also fostering a positive and enjoyable learning environment.
Our dancers have participated in several performances in Banff on Canada Day, Disney Performing Art Workshops and performances in both Disneyland and California Adventure Park, performance with Stars at Sea on Carnival Cruise, numerous festivals, showcases, Malankas, and other in-town performances.
Veselka Ukrainian Dancers
Edmonton, Alberta
Veselka Ukrainian Dancers
Edmonton, Alberta
In 1983, few expected that a group of friends learning to dance for exercise and fun would be the beginning of one of Canada's many prized adult Ukrainian dance ensembles. 40 years later, this spirit has grown. Countless audiences have raved over Veselka's character, humour and unique style of presenting Ukrainian traditions through dance. With nearly 40 members, Veselka has performed at numerous functions ranging from weddings and celebrations to festivals and special events throughout North America. Some of Veselka's highlights include performances in Dauphin, Ottawa , Montreal, Calgary, Vegreville, UFEST Edmonton's Ukrainian Festival and the opening ceremonies of the World Track and Field Championships in Edmonton, as well the Scandinavian Festival in Junction City and the Slavic Festival in Eugene, Oregon. Veselka’s choreography is under the direction of their very talented artistic director Trisha Bayrock and since the beginning of 2023 they welcomed assistant instructor Brent Kostyniuk.
Veselka is proud and excited to perform at UFest once again!
Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Edmonton, Alberta
Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Edmonton, Alberta
Volya, meaning ‘freedom’ encompasses the unified spirit of its current ensemble members. With many of Volya’s original members having studied in Ukraine, a desire existed to develop a similar academic style of dance within Canada. A strict adherence to technical training and professionalism is a philosophical belief still maintained today under the Artistic Direction of Zhenia Bahri, a former professional dancer and director from Ukraine. Zhenia has been the Artistic Director since 2000 and has brought unsurpassed passion, knowledge, and expertise to the Ensemble in his lifelong dedication to the art of Ukrainian dance.
Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is an Edmonton based dance company dedicated to contributing to the social and cultural growth of Ukrainian Heritage in Edmonton. For over 30 years, Volya has enthralled local audiences and performs on a national and international platform. Volya combines the highest standards of technical excellence with intricate footwork and the authentic artistry that are the hallmarks of Ukrainian Dance.
Since its’ inception in 1989, Volya has flourished into a vibrant ensemble consisting of dedicated members who have captivated and delighted audiences with their dynamic performances around the world. Volya has entertained audiences at festivals in Germany, Holland, Brazil, Italy, USA (California, New York), Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Turkey, France, England, the Azores Islands, Greece, Colombia and across Canada.
Volya! actively participates in the community through donated performances at various events, including the For Kids by Kids benefit for the Stollery Children’s Hospital and workshops with local schools. Additionally, Volya has headlined several festivals across Canada over the years. These include: The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival, Vegreville Pysanka Festival and Edmonton’s own Ukrainian Festival, UFest.
Over the years many dancers have entered Volya's studios with the same goal in mind, to dance for the love of dance and to establish an identity for the ensemble that is uniquely Volya!
Band Stage Performers
Sponsored by
Zabava u Koli
Edmonton, Alberta
Zabava u Koli
Edmonton, Alberta
Zabava u Koli, meaning Party in a Circle - or - Party at Mykola's (depending on interpretation), is an Edmonton, Alberta-based band specializing exclusively in Ukrainian music.
Made up of members Adrian Zmewsky, Arko Ferdycz, Matt Horbay, Mykola Bilash, and Olexander Lazurko their passion for Ukrainian music, combined with their love of high-energy songs, defines their sound.
Whether it be a wedding, zabava, birthday or festival, their wide range of musical experience will surely entertain and get people dancing.
Eric Yaremko
Edmonton, Alberta
Eric Yaremko
Edmonton, Alberta
Eric Yaremko is a Ukrainian-Canadian musician from Edmonton Alberta. A pianist of 22 years with a background in classical training, he is also a singer and guitar player, a songwriter, performer, and co-writer. Eric's sound oscillates across many genres including folk, pop, classical, traditional Irish, Ukrainian pop and R&B. With a voice that is raw, gentle, powerful and smooth, his performances evoke the spirits of his ancestors and move the hearts of those listening. He has been performing around Edmonton for 8 years and has performed in countries including Ireland, Norway and the United States
Polka Ramblers
Camrose, Alberta
Polka Ramblers
Camrose, Alberta
Sharing traditional family favorites with audiences for many years, the Polka Ramblers have performed for numerous Weddings, Dances, Malanka’s and Festivals including U-Fest, Ukrainian Village Music Fest, and Pysanka Festivals.
Trembita Band
Edmonton, Alberta
Trembita Band
Edmonton, Alberta
Trembita is a Ukrainian folk zabava band based out of Edmonton, Alberta that has been doing the FOLK and POLKA circuit for a while...
Busker Stage Performers
Sponsored by
UFEST AFTER DARK
Trembita Band
Edmonton, Alberta
Trembita Band
Edmonton, Alberta
Trembita is a Ukrainian folk zabava band based out of Edmonton, Alberta that has been doing the FOLK and POLKA circuit for a while...
Zabava u Koli
Edmonton, Alberta
Zabava u Koli
Edmonton, Alberta
Zabava u Koli, meaning Party in a Circle - or - Party at Mykola's (depending on interpretation), is an Edmonton, Alberta-based band specializing exclusively in Ukrainian music.
Made up of members Adrian Zmewsky, Arko Ferdycz, Matt Horbay, Mykola Bilash, and Olexander Lazurko their passion for Ukrainian music, combined with their love of high-energy songs, defines their sound.
Whether it be a wedding, zabava, birthday or festival, their wide range of musical experience will surely entertain and get people dancing.