TORONTO – The Ukrainian Art Song Project (UASP) has announced that the inaugural Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute will be held on August 7-13 in Toronto at the highly regarded, musically rich and historic Royal Conservatory of Music, at its TELUS Center for Performance and Learning
Conservatory representatives have stated that they are “happy to welcome them [participants of the Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute] for a weeklong workshop and performance that will explore the gamut of arts songs coming from Ukraine. The RCM is eager to have them on our campus and is excited for UASP to engage with some of our students.”
Albert Krywolt
The first Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute will be a unique dramatic experience for 12 young professionals/emerging artists in the field of classical music to further develop their skills in singing classical song and new repertoire: Ukrainian art songs that reflect a spirit of love, poetry and history. Students will come away with a clearer understanding of how to express an art song, no matter what form, no matter what language.
“Reaching out to the youth of the world to introduce new music is a paramount aim of the Ukrainian Art Song Project. Our first Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute is designed to help each student reveal considerably more than words, notes and melody. In addition, we will help you to discover the heart, body and soul of each song; to squeeze out the drama in every work and never to fail to move your audience,” commented Pavlo Hunka, artistic director of the Ukrainian Art Song Project.
Melanie Turgeon
The summer program will bring together the foremost authorities in Ukrainian art song who offer an unparalleled level of expertise and experience to emerging artists. Mr. Hunka will be joined by other distinguished faculty members: Albert Krywolt, Dr. Melanie Turgeon and Robert Kortgaard. Emerging artists will benefit from daily master classes where they will be coached and mentored by this exceptional faculty.
Additional information about the Summer Institute is available on the website ukrainianartsong.ca where there is a Summer Institute link in the main menu. Students and emerging artists will also find a link for “How to Apply.” The deadline for applications and submission of materials is April 1. For further information, readers may e-mail [email protected]. A Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute page can also be found on Facebook.
Robert Kortgaard
Having a Summer Institute is one way of ensuring that Ukrainian art songs are sung, performed and introduced to the world. The great cultural contribution and excellent work of Ukrainian classical composers needs to be heard. These art songs speak of who Ukrainians are – our history, challenges and persona. Ultimately, art songs give Ukraine and Ukrainians throughout the world a reason to be proud!