NEW RELEASE: "Wondrous Star"

UTICA, N.Y. - Vocalist Andriana Gnap has released the CD "Wondrous Star - A Ukrainian Christmas." Her unique arrangements of "koliadky" and "schedrivky" feature vocal harmonies, accompanied by violin, mandolin, guitar, piano and hints of decorative percussion.

"I've always loved the rich melodies of Ukrainian carols, and I wanted to record them in a way that would appeal to a broad audience," said Ms. Gnap. Selections include "Silent Night," sung in English and Ukrainian, and an original version of "Carol of the Bells."

Ms. Gnap has performed as a vocalist, violinist and dancer throughout New England, and in New York and Los Angeles. Her theater credits include the Williamstown Theater Festival of Massachusetts. Recently, she produced a show titled "From Gypsy to Jazz" at the Lunaria Jazz Club in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Ms. Gnap began performing Ukrainian folk songs and dance at age 4, accompanied by her mother, Halyna, a music teacher and classical pianist. "Music has always been in my family. My grandfather played the accordion during his youth in Ukraine. My mother and aunt, Wolodymyra, both sing, and play guitar and piano," she said.

Ms. Gnap returned to her home town of Utica, N.Y., to record her Christmas CD, which features her mother on piano and her aunt on percussion. She noted: "I recorded 'Wondrous Star' as a gift for my grandparents, Nadja and Gregory Gnap, to thank them for passing down their beautiful traditions, language and music."

"Wondrous Star"may be purchased online at www.Andriana.org.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 15, 2006, No. 3, Vol. LXXIV

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