VOCAL WORKSHOPS

2021

Sunday, January 10, 1–3 PM, Virtual Session

what we learned:

We were honored to have renowned Crimean Tatar singer Uriye Kermenchykli and her daughter, singer and dancer Dinara Faizova, lead our vocal workshop! This workshop introduced us to the rich musical cultural heritage of one of the ethnic minorities of Ukraine: Crimean Tatars.

During the workshop we learned about Crimean Tatar songs, their melodies and complex rhythms, similarities with Ukrainian folk songs, and the first collection of Crimean Tatar folk songs. We also sang a few songs in several genres that were chosen specifically for this event! The songs were presented in the original languages with English transliteration and translation.

Crimean Tatar Media covered the workshop.

About Uriye Kermenchykli:

Uriye Kermenchykli was born in Simferopol, Crimea in 1938. Like all other Crimean Tatars in 1944, as a child, together with her mother, she was deported to Central Asia. There she graduated from Samarkand Music College in vocal performance, and Tashkent State Conservatory, also in vocal performance. Uriye has worked as a leading soloist in the only ensemble of Crimean Tatar dance and song Haytarma for 42 years, and was awarded the title of Honorable Artist of Uzbekistan. In 1995 she returned to Crimea and worked at the Crimean State Philharmonic as a lead soloist. Currently she lives in New York together with her daughter’s family. Uriye is a laureate of a number of song contests and festivals. She has promoted Crimean Tatar musical art in Europe and North America, taught singing to the Crimean Tatar community in New York City, and performed twice at the United Nations.

About Dinara Faizova:

Dinara Faizova graduated from Uzbek Choreographic College and Tashkent State Institute of Culture. She was active in Haytarma, as well as in the ensemble Efsene (Legend) founded by her husband Rustem Faizov. In 1990 she moved to Crimea together with her family and the ensemble. There she organized a youth dance ensemble that toured throughout Europe and became a laureate of the first Pavlo Virskyi dance competition in Ukraine. Dinara was awarded the title of Honorable Artist of the Republic of Crimea. Currently she is the director of the cultural center of the Crimean Tatar community in New York, teaching choreography to the Crimean Tatar ensemble Legend of the Crimea that she founded with her husband. The ensemble has performed at the United Nations multiple times, as well as participated in dance competitions and festivals in New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and beyond. 

Sunday, April 25, 1–2:30 PM, Virtual Session

what we learned:

Ukrainian Village Voices was delighted to present a virtual children’s workshop with folk artist and educator Olya Fryz. Olya taught songs from her very popular Ukrainian children’s album “Shcho za Hamir” (What a Rumpus). We experienced a fun, family-friendly sing along with bandura (58-stringed folk instrument) accompaniment!

Growing up in New York City and performing for many years, Olya was excited to lead this workshop and to share her love of Ukrainian music with a diverse audience.

We thank all the families (and all young at heart) who joined us for a lovely song-filled afternoon!

About Olya Fryz:

Ukrainians around the world have been enjoying Olya’s music for over 25 years. This multi-talented vocalist and accomplished bandura instrumentalist has performed throughout the U.S. and Canada at numerous festivals, interactive children’s shows and concerts, including Lincoln Center in NYC, Bloor Street Festival in Toronto, The Bushnell Theatre in CT, Chicago & Rochester Ukrainian Festivals, Soyuzivka, CYM, Garden State Arts Center, Eisenhower Park, and the United Nations International Citizens World Music Concert. 

As a former Syzokryli dancer (Roma Pryma Bohachevsky student), member of the Homin Stepiv Bandura Ensemble, and Promin Vocal Ensemble, Olya is honored to celebrate and share her heritage and culture on stage with a new generation of Ukrainian dancers and musicians. In addition to her solo musical career, Olya is a member of the newly formed Ukrainian Women's Bandura Ensemble of North America. During the school year, Olya is a certified elementary school music teacher, and in the summers she teaches at the "Bandura at Bobriwka" Workshop in Colebrook, CT. Learn more on her website.