Shevchenko Foundation Assists Sokyrka in Traditional Ukrainian Roots Album

With a generous recording grant from the Shevchenko Foundation, Theresa Sokyrka - recording artist and singer/songwriter has successfully completed her first self-titled Ukrainian Roots Album, produced and engineered by Benoit Morier.

As a fourth generation Canadian of Ukrainian descent, originally from Saskatoon and now living in Montreal, Theresa realizes the importance of promoting her culture through song. Her love for Ukrainian music has been fostered by her involvement with the Ukrainian Bilingual program at St. Goretti School (now Bishop Filevich School) in Saskatoon, as well as her years of singing with Saskatoon’s Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Choir and Orchestra.

The CD album is a selection of traditional Ukrainian songs, arranged with a modern take.  This album is a tribute and memorial to the talented Kvitka Cisyk and the beloved Volodymyr Ivasiuk, who were both taken away much too early in life.

“I hope to have created an album that will be a celebration of Ukrainian melodies with original and modern arrangements, which will foster interest from both young and old,” stated Sokyrka. “This project has been very close to my heart… I have been working with Carissa Klopoushak (violin) from Saskatoon and Andy Czerny (accordion) from the band Veselka in Montreal. We share the same love and devotion for Ukrainian music, and wish to dedicate the album to everyone who played a part in creating and perpetuating our language and traditions,” added Sokyrka. Benoit Morier from Winnipeg also accompanied during the recording of the project.

A concert on December 4^th, 2010 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan celebrated the launch of the new CD album and a North American tour follows, starting with a concert “An Evening with Theresa” in Saskatoon, (December 11^th) and shows throughout North America from January to September 2011. 

Theresa and her musician friends encourage everyone in helping them perpetuate our Ukrainian culture through music and song. With sponsored support from the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada (UWAC) and the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League in Canada (UCWLC) a unique fund raising opportunity exists to benefit the local branches in their towns and cities. If there are any other organizations in Canada and the US who wish to sponsor an event in their local area, or to have Theresa perform at their festivals or corporate events, please contact Theresa Entertainment Productions at 1-866-566-1341, email: sokyrkatheresa@gmail.com or visit www.theresasokyrka.ca 

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Teresa Sokyrka