Our 2017 Master of Ceremonies
Luc Chenier
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Luc Chenier is a Canadian citizen who was born and raised near Montreal and now is a permanent Resident of Ukraine and has worked there for more than 17 years. Luc is not only the CEO of Kyiv Post, but is a respected and well-known business person, public speaker, serial entrepreneur, artist, author and a seasoned Marketing expert who has spent a large part of his professional career working with international corporations in Eastern Europe as well as for the Governments of Ukraine & Canada. Some of Luc’s works are videos promoting Ukraine. UKRAINE. OPEN for U & Ukraine Open for CANADA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdSQuanI8Z8&t=30s,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZMMJo7jOTQ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD9VcMFLT4s
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ANASTASIA BACZYNSKYJ
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As a daughter of Ihor Baczynskyj, Anastasia, grew up backstage. Seeing her father perform routinely gave her first hand exposure not only to incredible acts, but also the ins and outs of good stage performance. As one of the original members of the Lemon Bucket Orkestra and one of the initiating forces behind the group KalynDar. she has shared the stage with international world music stars, but also has guested on recordings with Canadian Ukrainian artists such as DoVira and Ukrainia. She holds a Master’s in Historiography from the University of Toronto (OISE) and focused her thesis on Ukrainian Identity in Toronto. Following in her father’s footsteps, Anastasia has graced many stages as Master of Ceremonies as well. Her performances are always marked with warmth, personality and, of course, a good dose of Ukrainian humour.
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ANYA YABLONSKA
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Anya Yablonska was born and raised in Ukraine and moved to Canada in 2009. She was introduced to Canada through Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Program in 2006. Anya holds Masters Degree in Communications from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Ukraine. Toronto is now home for Anya, where she is an active member of the Ukrainian community.
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BORYS SIRSKYJ
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Borys Sirskyj was born in Thunder Bay. He completed his University Education by obtaining a B.A. Degree in Philosophy (1975) (University of Waterloo); Hon. B.A., in Political Science (1976) (University of Waterloo) and an M.A. Degree in Political Science (1978) (McMaster University – Hamilton). Borys began his career with the Federal Government in 1979 when he became Executive Assistant to Senator Paul Yuzyk, remaining with the Senator till 1985. In 1986, he joined the Solicitor General’s Department where he has been till his retirement in 2017. Borys was posted to the Canadian Embassy in Vienna, Austria between 1995-1999. Borys is married to Marika and they have three children: Danylo, Tetiana and Adriana, all university graduates. Borys has been active in the Ukrainian community for over 35 years in Plast – Ukrainian Youth Association, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, History teacher -Kursy Ukrayinoznavstva (Ukrainian High School Courses), Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Commission, etc. He has also MC’d many community events, including the Toronto Ukrainian Festival (for 20 years); the Ukrainian Festival in Vegreville, Alta; and the CNUF in Dauphin, Man.
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OKSANA ROHATYN-WASYLYK
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Oksana started her musical career in Sudbury Ontario where she started singing in her mother’s choir – Dnipro and Trio Lebedi. Upon moving to Toronto, Oksana continued her musical education through the Royal Conservatory and The University of Toronto Faculty of Music. Oksana has performed as a soloist throughout many parts of Canada, USA, Spain, France, England, Australia and Ukraine. Oksana also sang for many years with Trio Verkhovyna. For six seasons, Oksana sang in the chorus of The Canadian Opera Company. In 1994, Oksana moved to Australia where she sang with The Australian Opera Co. She completed her Music of Performers’ degree with the University of Sydney. During her time in Australia, Oksana conducted a Ukrainian Childrens Choir, Ivasiuk Ukrainian Folk Ensemble and Sutsvyttia Ladies Ensemble. Oksana moved back to Canada 6 years ago and has been actively singing with Trio Chervoni Maky and conducting the Chaika Ukrainian Dance and Folk Ensemble.
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MARIKA WASHCHYSHYN
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Marika Washchyshyn is a proud representative of the Ukrainian-Canadian community. Hailing from Toronto, she grew up an active member of the Ukrainian Academy of Dance and Arkan Dance Company, Christ the Good Shepherd at St. Michael's church, and the Etobicoke branch of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM). Marika has a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa, and a Master of Science from the Columbia University School of Journalism in New York, where she focused some of her reporting on the 2013/14 Ukrainian revolution, as well as the role of media in the country's contemporary landscape. She spent four years in New York, working as a journalist for GOLF.com at Sports Illustrated. After being away from Toronto for more than eight years, Marika is thrilled to come back to her roots and rejoin the community she loves most. She is honoured to be a host at this year’s Toronto Ukrainian Festival, where she spent many years as a performer and attendee.
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MARTA CZURYLOWICZ
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Marta Czurylowicz is a journalist and a well-known figure in Toronto’s Ukrainian community. She has been the host of Canada’s Ukrainian channel, KONTAKT, for more than five years. Marta is very involved with her Ukrainian roots. Along with hosting the weekly program, Marta taught traditional dance at Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, where she danced in the ensemble. She had the privilege of playing a role in Ukraine’s history as a Canadian election observer for both the presidential elections in May 2014, and the parliamentary elections in October 2014. Marta has hosted numerous events including Toronto’s Ukrainian Festival in Bloor West Village; Rock, Reforms and Relief: A Weekend for Ukraine where she co-hosted with Michael Schur, a popular comedian in Ukraine, Soyuzivka’s Cultural Festival, where she co-hosted with Sergiy Fomenko of Mandry and the Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion at Folklorama in Winnipeg. She has worked for a number of Canadian news outlets, including Sun News Network, where she was Michael Coren’s chase producer. Marta also worked in Winnipeg, Manitoba as a web videojournalist and digital content editor at CTV Winnipeg. Currently, Marta is works at CTV Kitchener as a technical operator.
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ZENON CHWALUK
Alexander Pidzamecky - Youth program
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Alexander (Oleksa) Pidzamecky is entering Grade 11 at St. Michael’s Choir School, where he is an active member of multiple clubs, programs and initiatives. Oleksa is a graduate of the UNF Toronto West Ridna Shkola, dances in the Voloshky group at Barvinok Dance School, belongs to PLAST Scouts, is a parishioner of St. Joseph’s UCC in Oakville, and plays piano, violin, and bandura. He is also an avid photographer. Along with his partner, Alexandra Holyk, he is a youth reporter for Kontakt Ukrainian Television Network. In the past, he has sung with the Dudaryk Boys Choir, participated in French-Ukrainian summer programs in the south of France, and in 2017, was selected to take part in a semester student exchange in Cologne, Germany.
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ALEXANDRA HOLYK - Youth program
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Alexandra Holyk attends Iona Catholic Secondary School, in Mississauga, where she is entering Gr. 11 and is a part of the Regional Arts Program, specializing in Dance. A former graduate of St. Sofia School, Alexandra is a proud member and assistant teacher at the Barvinok Ukrainian School of Dance, a member and junior counsellor at Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) – Mississauga, and attends St. Nicholas Ukrainian Heritage School. As a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, she is a member of the church’s Youth Group, partaking in their various adventures, and has counselled at Break for Jesus camps. Alexandra studies classical ballet at the Rajka Kupesic School of Ballet, currently completing Advanced Level and has attended Jeoffrey’s Ballet School Summer Intensive Program in New York City. As a junior Kontakt Ukrainian TV co-reporter, Alexandra reports in the youth segment having the pleasure of interviewing talented individuals of Ukrainian decent that are making many interesting contributions in our community.
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