Ukrainian Christmas Eve in New YorK City

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Ostap Stakhiw is a celebrated and renowned Ukrainian bandurist and recipient of the prestigious title National Artist of Ukraine, awarded for his outstanding contributions to the performing arts. His professional career began in 1981 as a soloist with the Lviv Philharmonic and a member of the “Vatra” ensemble. He later became the leader of the “Drymba” folk ensemble and, in 1988, founded the “Folklore Theater of Ostap Stakhiw” in Lviv. Since 1989, he has also taught bandura and vocal performance at the Lviv State Conservatory named after Mykola Lysenko, creating original theatrical concert programs that fused music and Ukrainian heritage.

Ostap Stakhiw has proudly represented Ukraine on international stages across Europe, Asia, and North America. In 1992, led a major concert tour in the U.S. and Canada. His international acclaim grew further when he won gold and silver medals at the 2001 World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California where he later served as National Director of the Ukrainian delegation. In recognition of his enduring cultural influence, he received the Jubilee Medal for “20 Years of Independence of Ukraine” in 2011.

He has been featured in numerous films and video productions, and recorded Ukrainian folk songs for the “Golden Reserve of Ukraine.” As a musicologist and founder of BandurArts, he remains an influential figure in Ukrainian music, serving as a jury member at festivals and dedicating his life to preserving and reimagining the bandura tradition. 

  Solomia Stahiv, born in Lviv, Ukraine, is a Ukrainian musician and accomplished bandura player. A graduate of the bandura and piano studies in Lviv, she began her musical journey at an early age, joining the National Bandura Ensemble Zoryanytsia  under the direction of Honored Artist of Ukraine, Zinovia Sychak. In addition to her work with the ensemble, Solomia performed as a soloist in various genres and collaborated with a range of choirs and musical groups, further developing her artistry and versatility.

Now based in North America, Solomia continues to share her deep passion for Ukrainian music as a solo bandura performer and a member of the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America. She performs across the United Sttates and Canada, captivating audiences with a unique blend of traditional and modern styles on the bandura. Through her solo performances and in duo with her father Ostap Stakhiw, Solomia promotes Ukrainian culture, highlighting the instrument’s versatility and its deep cultural roots.

As an artistic director of BandurArts, Solomia is committed to promoting and preserving the art of the bandura and supporting the next generation of Ukrainian musicians.

Oksana Lupak graduated from the Drohobych Music College of Vasyl Barvinsky specializing in bandura and later from the Drohobych Pedagogical University, the Music Pedagogy Department, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Music Arts.

For 37 years, she worked at the Dobrohostiv Music School as a bandura instructor, head of the folk instruments department, and director of the bandura ensemble. She also sang in the choir of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Drohobych. Her bandura students have repeatedly become diploma recipients and laureates of regional and international competitions.

Today, she continues to share her skill and experience with new generations of students and currently teaches music at the “Nova Khvylka” School of Ukrainian Studies in Brooklyn.

 Halyna Leskiv and Oksana Telepko are accomplished musicians and graduates of the Lviv National Music Academy, each bringing decades of artistic experience to their work.

Halyna Leskiv is a distinguished bandura player who served as the artistic director and conductor of the Folk Bandurist Chapel Kobza, as well as a teacher of bandura and vocal performance in Lviv. She toured extensively across Europe as a soloist with the Cheremosh Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and the Polonyna Ensemble of the Lviv Forestry University. Halyna also performed in France as a member of the choir of the Lviv National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Today, she continues to share her deep expertise with students of bandura and voice.

Oksana Telepko performed for many years with the Polonyna and Cheremosh ensembles after completing her studies at the Lviv Music Academy. Now residing in New Jersey, she serves as cantor and choir director at St. John the Baptist Church in Whippany and teaches at the Lesia Ukrainka School of Ukrainian Studies. Oksana has devoted many years in the United States to teaching the bandura, piano, and vocal arts, sharing her passion and musical heritage with new generations.

Together, Halyna and Oksana bring a rich tradition of Ukrainian music to their students and communities, both in the United States and abroad.

Andriy Pradyvus is a Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Deacon at Eparchy of Stamford, 1st tenor, and accomplished musician specializing in traditional Ukrainian instruments. A graduate from the Lviv Catholic University and Lviv Theological Seminary of the Holy Spirit, Andriy developed a deep connection to the Ukrainian musical heritage and singing. In addition to his vocal performances, Deacon Andriy plays Trembita, the traditional Hutsul alpine horn, bringing the distinctive sound of the Carpathian Mountains to his ensembles and solo performances. His artistry bridges centuries-old Ukrainian traditions with contemporary performance, making him a vital presence in the preservation and promotion of Ukrainian musical culture.  

Mykola Maksymyuk was born in the Hutsul village of Verkhnii Yaseniv in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine — a place renowned for its “Hutsul Ensemble of Drymba (Jaw Harp) Players.” During his school years, was a member of the ensemble under the direction of Mykhailo Nechai, a well-known drymba player and molfar (Hutsul spiritual healer).

Later, Mykola graduated from the Children’s School of Arts in Verkhovyna, the class of accordion, and became a laureate of the “Young Virtuosos” competition in Ivano-Frankivsk, winning third place. Mykola continued his studies at the Institute of Arts of the Precarpathian National University, also specializing in accordion.

Since 2010, Mykola has served as the choir director at St. Volodymyr Cathedral in Stamford, CT.

Olesia Romanchuk is a native of Transcarpathia, Ukraine. She studied at the Uzhhorod Vocational College named after D. E. Zador, where she received her foundational musical education, and later earned a Master of Musical Arts degree from the Mukachevo Institute. After completing her studies, she worked as a violin teacher in district schools.

From childhood, she has been an active member of various folklore ensembles, academic orchestras, and choirs, including the exemplary folklore ensemble Kyrnychenka, Irshava Family, the People’s Chamber Orchestra of the Irshava State Musical School, as well as the Borzhava and Melody choirs.

In her professional activities, she prioritizes the education and artistic development of the younger generation. She continues to pass on her native, authentic melodies—those that have remained forever in her heart—to her own children and to her students, even far beyond her homeland.

 High in the Carpathian Mountains, a powerful Hutsul Group caroling echoes through winter nights.

The Hutsuls of Ukraine have preserved a unique form of caroling—deep, rhythmic kolyady sung as blessings for every home. These songs weave together the story of Christ’s birth with the spirit of the mountains, ancient symbols of nature, and the strength of a shepherd people. Accompanied by voices that move as one and the haunting call of the trembita, Hutsul carols are not just music—they are ritual, memory, and living heritage.

This season, discover the sound of a culture shaped by the mountains and carried through generations. Listen, feel, and step into the world of Hutsul caroling.

 Iryna Borshchevska-Rozdolska is an actress and cultural activist. She graduated in 2005 from the Kyiv National University of Theatre, Film, and Television named after Ivan Karpenko-Kary. From 2005 to 2015, she worked as an actress at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre. She has also participated in theatrical projects in Germany and Austria.

In recent years, as a member of the nonprofit organization Ukrainian New Wave, Iryna has focused on organizing educational projects, festivals, and other cultural events, contributing to the promotion of Ukrainian arts and culture both locally and internationally.

 Iryna Sakhariieva is a singer and vocal coach with over 15 years of teaching experience, dedicating her life to music. She performs in a variety of musical styles and sings in multiple languages.

In Ukraine, she worked at the Star Team School of Contemporary Arts, taught at King Danylo University, and was a soloist in both municipal and church choirs. She is currently the founder of Golos Studio NYC and a vocal instructor at the Nova Khvylka School of Ukrainian Studies in Brooklyn.