Two Ukrainian Canadians vie for title of "Canadian Idol"

SASKATOON - Ukrainian Canadians Theresa Sokyrka of Saskatoon and Kyla Sandulak of Edmonton are two of the 32 singers participating in CTV's "Canadian Idol," a nationwide search for the country's next pop superstar. This is the second year of the competition, which involves thousands of contestants.

Ms. Sokyrka is a former soloist and choir member with the Lastiwka Youth Choir and Orchestra. She has also performed as a jazz singer in Alberta.

She impressed all four judges. "I don't know why you're 23 and no one's heard of you yet," said Jake Gold. "You are head and shoulders, a million miles over the moon the best singer I've seen in the country this year or last year, perhaps... You're fantastic," said Zack Werner.

Ms. Sokyrka is a member of Ukrainian National Association Branch 44.

Ms. Sandulak, also 23, is a member of a band called the Kit Kat Club. Ms. Sandulak also leads her own band, which performs her original songs and will release her first CD, titled "Would You Know," after the competition.

After Ms. Sandulak sang, Mr. Werner immediately stated, "That's the single best vocal performance we've had since we went across the country as far as I'm concerned."

Both Ms. Sokyrka and Ms. Sandulak appeared in auditions that were broadcast on June 3 and both made it to the national public voting round. CTV viewers will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite performers over the next few weeks. Ms. Sandulak was to appear on June 16 and 17, and Ms. Sokyrka was to appear on June 30 and July 1.

The final 32 contestants were chosen from a field of 9,000 competitors and have survived seven rounds of auditions.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 4, 2004, No. 27, Vol. LXXII

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