In March 2023 the Ukrainian Classical Voice Project was thrilled to provide a presentation titled “The Underrepresented Composers of Ukraine and Their Contribution To The Vocal Genres” as part of the Regional Conference of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Eastern Chapter. The conference was hosted by Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.
The PowerPoint presentation included poetry by Ukrainian oppositioner Taras Shevchenko, provided insights into the heartbreaking life paths of Ukrainian composers of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and gave detailed examples of oppression, persecution, subjugation and exploitation of the marginalized Ukrainian creative voices during the time of Russian Empire and the Soviet Regime.
The event concluded with a heartfelt performance of Ukrainian art songs and arias by Dmytro Bortnyansky, Mykhailo Zherbin, Mykola Lysenko, Kyrylo Stetsenko sung by the local undergraduate students Alexis Cummings, Reeza Abadi, Elizabeth Diaz Sartillo, Megan Galucci and Alexis Estevez wearing traditional Ukrainian attire. The final National Anthem of Ukraine was offered by Solomia Dovgan, an elementary student whose grandfather was recently killed in the battlefield fighting for Ukraine’s freedom. Glory to the Hero! Героям Слава!