RUTA Choir is an Ottawa-based Ukrainian community choir dedicated to sharing the beauty of Ukrainian culture through music. Founded in 2025, the choir performs folk, contemporary, and sacred repertoire in Ukrainian and other languages, bringing communities together through song, cultural exchange, and friendship.

Kolizhanky — “Friends” — are joined together by their love of rural songs of Ukrainian village women. This group brings to life traditional village songs of work, love, nature, and ancient rituals.

Kolizhanky has been singing together since the spring of 2015 and have performed at several Ottawa community events, including several Malankas and the Capital Ukrainian Festival. They have also travelled to the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival and have participated in workshops with Rozhanytsia and Lemon Bucket Orkestra.

For more information, please see their Facebook page.

Where Ancient Roots Meet Modern Beats

Direct from Toronto and Kyiv, the Kozak Sisters bring a high-energy, multi-sensory celebration of Ukrainian heritage to the festival stage. Created with a passionate mission to honor their roots, the group performs the original poetry and lyrics of their mother, acclaimed poet Tatyana Bila, about love and war in Ukraine.

From their viral radio hits like “Kozachok (Remix)” and “Da Ri Da” to their 2025 Eurovision Ukraine contest entry “Mavka. Revenge for Love” and 2026’s “Three Elements: He Holds the World,” the Kozak Sisters bridge the gap between ancient folklore and today’s vibrant pop culture.

Catch them live for an unforgettable performance that pulses with the true spirit, resilience, and rhythm of modern Ukraine.

UKIES Choir was founded in Ottawa and brings together Ukrainians who found a new home in Canada following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Almost all choir members are displaced Ukrainians for whom Ukrainian song has become a way to maintain a connection with their homeland, language, and cultural heritage.

The choir’s mission is to promote Ukrainian culture and traditions, introduce the Canadian community to Ukrainian music, and support Ukrainians living far from their native land. We believe that culture is an essential part of national identity, and that Ukrainian song helps preserve historical memory, unity, and strength of spirit. As Russia wages a war not only against Ukraine but also against Ukrainian culture and history, performing Ukrainian songs becomes a peaceful way to preserve and protect our heritage.

Through music, we share Ukraine’s authentic voice with the world and stand against disinformation and propaganda. The UKIES Choir repertoire combines Ukrainian folk, contemporary, and original songs. Each performance is an opportunity to share the beauty of Ukrainian culture, strengthen connections between people, and remind audiences that Ukrainian traditions continue to live and evolve regardless of the circumstances.

ZHYVYTSYA is a Ukrainian vocal trio from Ottawa that tells the story of Ukraine through song, movement and theatrical image.

Three voices transform folk motifs and modern Ukrainian music into living stage stories — about love and loss, tenderness and strength, memory and freedom.

Zhyvytsia is a small theatre of great song. Ukraine can be heard.

Born in 1991 (Odessa, Ukraine). In 2009 graduated from the P. S. Stolyarsky Music School in Odesa as a pianist and a musicologist (piano under I. Didushok, from 2005 – E. Arnautova; musicology under I. Novikova, T. Blisnyuk). Also attended composition lessons with A. Tomlionova.

In 2014 graduated as a composer under Prof. J. Gomelskaya and as a musicologist under Prof. A. Samoilenko from Odessa National A. V. Nezhdanova Music Academy. In 2017 finished the postgraduate education at the Academy (art leader – Prof. J. Gomelskaya, from 2017 – K. Tsepkolenko). In 2018 became a member of the National Composer’s Union of Ukraine. In 2019 became a PhD in Music Arts.

Prize winner of such international competitions for composers as «Vivat, Musica!» (II prize, New Kakhovka, 2006), «Donbas Modern Music Art-2013» (I prize, Donezk, 2013), «PentaTON» (I prize, Mykolaiv, 2013), Ivan Karabyts Young Composers Competition (diploma, Kyiv, 2012; I prize, Kyiv, 2015), «Gradus ad Parnassum» (II prize and diploma, Kyiv, 2016), 8th International Antonin Dvorak Composition Competition (special prize for the best composition based upon the A. Dvorak music, Prague, 2017), International Modern Music Workshop (III prize, Kyiv, 2019).

Participated in such festivals of contemporary music as «Days of new music» (Kharkiv, 2012), «2 days and 2 nights of new music» (Odessa, 2015-2016, 2018-2021), «International Music of Youth Forum» (Kyiv, 2016), «Music premieres of the season» (Kyiv, 2016), «Catorce compositoras de Ucrania» (Valparaíso, 2016), International festival of new music «Contrasts» (Lviv, 2017), «Crossroads of Eras» (Dnipro, 2021), «Kyiv Music Fest» (Kyiv, 2022), «Capital Ukrainian Festival» (Ottawa, 2023) and in the international master-classes: «COURSE» (Lviv, 2016), SoundMine (Alden Biesen, 2019).

Her works are performed on many stages in Ukraine and abroad and she often receives commissions to write compositions for various instruments.

Gregory Dikal is an accordion player in Ottawa. Music is one of his passions, and he enjoys performing Ukrainian music and supporting community events with sound production. He is pleased to participate in the Ukrainian Festival in Ottawa.

Григорій Дікал, акордеоніст з Оттави. Музика є одним із його захоплень і приносить йому натхнення та радість. Він із задоволенням бере участь у житті української громади, виконуючи українську музику та забезпечуючи звуковий супровід громадських заходів. Радий бути учасником Українського фестивалю в Оттаві.

Sofiia Serbinova (15 years old) began singing at the age of four. She was a member of the vocal ensemble “Ovation (Ovatsiya)” in Berdiansk, Ukraine. Since 2017, she has studied classical vocal at the Irpin Music School, and is a laureate of numerous vocal competitions in Ukraine.

After moving to Canada in 2023, she joined the Ukrainian Children’s Choir in Ottawa. She participates in festivals and vocal competitions across Canada, proudly representing Ukrainian music and song, and continues to develop her skills as a solo vocalist and as a member of the vocal quintet “Harmony.”

Erin Okrainec is an award-winning fiddle player originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, now based in Ottawa. With deep roots in the Ukrainian community, Erin has performed at Ukrainian festivals, cultural events, dances, and fundraisers across Canada, including previously at the Capital Ukrainian Festival. Through her music, she loves sharing Ukrainian culture and bringing the energy and spirit of traditional Ukrainian violin music to every performance.

Maria Taranko and Anastasia Bondarchuk, soloists of the Volyn and Vinnytsia regional philharmonics of Ukraine, currently perform together in the duet “Malva” in Toronto. Having rich experience in performing both classical and modern music, they proudly bring Ukrainian musical traditions to listeners all over the world.

Despite the trials that befell them after the start of the full-scale invasion, Maria and Anastasia remained steadfast, devoted to the creation and popularization of the beauty of Ukrainian song. As talented artists and dedicated vocal teachers, they continue to inspire and uplift souls with their performances.

Andrew Jahn is a songwriter, pianist and vocalist who builds real community through music. From collaborating with Juno-nominated composer Iman Habibi to directing a $10,000 grassroots campaign for the Lanark County Food Bank, Andrew’s work is deeply rooted in personal storytelling and shared human experience. Driven by his own journey and a belief that music should bring people together, he brings his powerful voice to the Capital Ukrainian Festival for an authentic, unforgettable performance. A friend to Ukraine, Andrew has invested time in learning how to speak and sing in Ukrainian in order to welcome newcomers and help strengthen the friendship between Canadians and Ukrainians through music.

Yuliia Makarenko is a teacher of the Ukrainian children’s choir in Ottawa. Originally from the city of Bila Tserkva, she is a young artist — actress, singer, volunteer — who will captivate your hearts from the first note!

Since her childhood in Ukraine, Tanya has played bandura — an ancient Ukrainian national folk instrument. For Ukrainians the bandura is more than just an instrument; it is the voice of Ukraine’s soul. With its resonant strings and heartfelt melodies, it carries the stories, struggles, and spirit of our people across generations. Tanya’s repertoire is deeply rooted in traditional Ukrainian folklore, inspired by the songs that once echoed across our villages, fields, and gatherings. These melodies have shaped the identity of our nation and continue to inspire Ukrainians both at home and around the world.

Through the performance with bandura Tanya likes to share tales of resilience, love, and longing. She is dedicated to keeping this tradition alive and to sharing it with the festival goers.

Учасниця багатьох українських фестивалів в Канаді Таня почерпнула любов до національної традиції співу без супроводу ще із враженнями дитинства в сімейному колі. Вони ж привели її на шлях поглибленого вивчення голосу і хорового диригування. За час диригування молодіжними, студентськими та катедральними хорами в Едмонтоні, Вінніпегу та Монреалі Т.Навольська спонукала багатьох молодих співаків до захоплення співочою традиціјю України, особливо в супроводі бандури. Активна виконавиця-співачка та вчителька співу Королівської консерваторії, Т.Навольська отримувала премії і гранти ім. О. Солтикевича, Шевченківської фундації і Manitoba Arts Council.

Tanya enseigne la bandoura à des élèves de tous âges au studio BanduraLab, situé à l’église catholique ukrainienne Saint-Jean-Baptiste.