In Canada, a discussion of vanishing Jewish heritage in Ukraine ...
In Canada, a discussion of vanishing Jewish heritage in Ukraine ...
In Canada, a discussion of vanishing Jewish heritage in Ukraine ...
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No. 18<br />
THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010<br />
19<br />
A Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Summer: where to go, what to do...<br />
TRAVELS: Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian musicians provide an ocean <strong>of</strong> music<br />
by Olia Rudyk<br />
As I stood <strong>in</strong> the open three-story atrium<br />
<strong>of</strong> the cruise ship The Grand Pr<strong>in</strong>cess this<br />
past December, the familiar sounds <strong>of</strong><br />
“Schedryk” by Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian composer<br />
Mykola Leontovych floated <strong>in</strong> the air.<br />
Lean<strong>in</strong>g over the rail<strong>in</strong>g to f<strong>in</strong>d the source<br />
<strong>of</strong> the music and see who was play<strong>in</strong>g this<br />
world-renowned melody, I discovered a<br />
str<strong>in</strong>g quartet enchant<strong>in</strong>g a large appreciative<br />
audience.<br />
Not only was the music familiar but so<br />
were the faces – there was someth<strong>in</strong>g Slavic<br />
<strong>in</strong> their features. The woman with long<br />
blond hair lov<strong>in</strong>gly embrac<strong>in</strong>g the cello had<br />
to be Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian! I guessed that the three<br />
men with her were Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian also.<br />
The young man play<strong>in</strong>g the first viol<strong>in</strong><br />
was a virtuoso, dazzl<strong>in</strong>g the crowd with his<br />
technical skills and obvious passion for his<br />
<strong>in</strong>strument. The second viol<strong>in</strong>ist and violist<br />
too displayed skill well above the average<br />
performer.<br />
I turned to look at my husband, Stefan,<br />
and saw the expression on his face. He had<br />
similar thoughts runn<strong>in</strong>g through his head.<br />
We were very happy to hear a familiar<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian melody, and were especially<br />
pleased to hear the first viol<strong>in</strong>ist expla<strong>in</strong> to<br />
the audience that the artists <strong>in</strong> the Premier<br />
Str<strong>in</strong>g Quartet are from Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and enjoy<br />
shar<strong>in</strong>g their love <strong>of</strong> music. The Premier<br />
Str<strong>in</strong>g Quartet had a large repertoire spann<strong>in</strong>g<br />
everyth<strong>in</strong>g from classical masterpieces<br />
by the world’s greatest composers to familiar<br />
operatic arias, Beatles tunes, contemporary<br />
pop hits, Broadway show tunes and, <strong>of</strong><br />
course, beautiful Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian compositions.<br />
<strong>In</strong> the course <strong>of</strong> our three-week cruise,<br />
we would hear “Schedryk” as part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Christmas-themed music. “Bukovynskyj<br />
Kozachok” had the predom<strong>in</strong>ately non-<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian audience tapp<strong>in</strong>g their feet, clapp<strong>in</strong>g<br />
their hands and mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> many directions<br />
to this lively tune. The beautiful and<br />
popular piece “Melodiya” by Myroslav<br />
Skoryk had the opposite effect by transport<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the audience <strong>in</strong>to a deeply pensive<br />
mood.<br />
These talented musicians performed<br />
several times each day <strong>in</strong> the atrium. Their<br />
appearance schedule was always on our<br />
agenda, and we made it a po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>of</strong> listen<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to their extensive repertoire every day.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g our journey, the quartet performed<br />
two formal concerts on the ma<strong>in</strong> stage <strong>of</strong><br />
the cruise ship. It was no wonder the audience<br />
rewarded the performances with<br />
stand<strong>in</strong>g ovations.<br />
Valentyn Dudko, the first viol<strong>in</strong>ist <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Premier Str<strong>in</strong>g Quartet, was born on New<br />
Ye a r ’s D a y 1 9 7 4 i n N i k o p o l ,<br />
Dnipropetrovsk region <strong>of</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. Mr.<br />
Dudko gives thanks to his father for <strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g<br />
him to the viol<strong>in</strong> at the age <strong>of</strong> 6.<br />
Hand<strong>in</strong>g him a viol<strong>in</strong>, he sent him <strong>of</strong>f for<br />
his first lessons.<br />
His father wanted his son to not only play<br />
the viol<strong>in</strong>, but to feel the music and passion<br />
that the beautiful <strong>in</strong>strument produces. Mr.<br />
Dudko amus<strong>in</strong>gly recalls his father consider<strong>in</strong>g<br />
send<strong>in</strong>g his young son to spend time<br />
with a gypsy who could <strong>in</strong>still a passion <strong>in</strong><br />
him that only a gypsy can express. He also<br />
recalls his mother and grandmother f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g<br />
such an idea ridiculous.<br />
After watch<strong>in</strong>g and listen<strong>in</strong>g to Mr.<br />
Dudko perform<strong>in</strong>g “Czardas” by Vittorio<br />
Monti, my husband and I were not completely<br />
conv<strong>in</strong>ced that the mother and<br />
grandmother had won the argument.<br />
Realiz<strong>in</strong>g his own passion for the viol<strong>in</strong>,<br />
Mr. Dudko applied to and attended the<br />
Mykola Lysenko Kyiv Specialized<br />
Secondary Music School, which he attended<br />
for 11 years. There, not only did he cont<strong>in</strong>ue<br />
hon<strong>in</strong>g his play<strong>in</strong>g skills, but he also<br />
deepened his knowledge about the history<br />
<strong>of</strong> the viol<strong>in</strong> and all aspects <strong>of</strong> music.<br />
Expand<strong>in</strong>g on their formal studies, he<br />
and his roommates spent their free time<br />
further<strong>in</strong>g their range <strong>of</strong> music to <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
pop, rock and country. <strong>In</strong> the dormitory<br />
they listened to such performers as Elton<br />
John, Chicago and Fleetwood Mac.<br />
After secondary school, Mr. Dudko<br />
enrolled at the acclaimed Kyiv National<br />
Music Academy <strong>of</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, where he studied<br />
for five years. Upon graduat<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
the academy, he accepted a position as a<br />
viol<strong>in</strong>ist with the Kyiv Opera Theater<br />
Orchestra.<br />
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Dudko participated<br />
<strong>in</strong> a musical competition, w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g a spot<br />
with the Cairo Symphonic Orchestra <strong>in</strong><br />
Egypt. Secur<strong>in</strong>g this position meant greater<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial security given the economic <strong>in</strong>stability<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. His salary with the Cairo<br />
Symphonic Orchestra was 10 times that<br />
earned by musicians <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, enabl<strong>in</strong>g<br />
him to provide for his family.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g his time with the Cairo The Rudyks with the Premier Str<strong>in</strong>g Quartet (stand<strong>in</strong>g, from left) Luba Holovata,<br />
Symphonic Orchestra, he was given the Olia Rudyk, Dmytro Panchenko, Valentyn Dudko, Serhiy Soloshchenko and<br />
opportunity to play for audiences around<br />
(seated) Stefan Rudyk.<br />
the world <strong>in</strong> places such as Poland,<br />
Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, at the Lviv State Academy <strong>of</strong> Music. Once Kyiv Philharmonic Orchestra as well as<br />
Turkey, Iran and South Korea. Return<strong>in</strong>g to she completed her education, Ms. Holovata with the Lyatoshynsky Classical Music<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> 2004, he jo<strong>in</strong>ed the Kyiv launched her music career as a cellist with Ensemble.<br />
Symphony Orchestra, where he met, fell <strong>in</strong> the Lviv Opera Theater Orchestra.<br />
Mr. Panchenko, upon complet<strong>in</strong>g his<br />
love with and married accomplished cellist For her first pr<strong>of</strong>essional stage performance<br />
with the orchestra, the UNWLA Academy <strong>of</strong> Music, jo<strong>in</strong>ed various musical<br />
formal education at the Lviv State<br />
Luba Holovata.<br />
Ms. Holovata, a native <strong>of</strong> Lviv, was<br />
presented her with a brand new hand-crafted<br />
<strong>in</strong>strument. She recalls that day with orchestra and an <strong>in</strong>ternational youth sym-<br />
groups, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g a private symphony<br />
born on December 23, 1975. Orphaned at<br />
the age <strong>of</strong> 5, she and her four sibl<strong>in</strong>gs were<br />
deep emotion, appreciation and gratitude. phony orchestra.<br />
raised by an aunt and uncle. Luba revealed<br />
Later Ms. Holovata jo<strong>in</strong>ed the Lviv Both Mr. Soloshchenko and Mr.<br />
an <strong>in</strong>terest and love for the cello at an early<br />
Symphony Orchestra, and eventually the Panchenko have also travelled extensively<br />
age and applied for f<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance<br />
Kyiv Symphony Orchestra where she met as performers with their respective musical<br />
with the local branch <strong>of</strong> the Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian<br />
her future husband and travelled throughout<br />
Europe, Africa and Asia.<br />
The Premier Str<strong>in</strong>g Quartet received its<br />
groups.<br />
Women’s League.<br />
Ms. Holovata fondly remembers an<br />
Mr. Dudko, along with his new bride,<br />
first contract on a cruise l<strong>in</strong>er about five<br />
<strong>in</strong>terview with Luba Bilowchtchuk, chairwoman<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Scholarship Program <strong>of</strong> the Luba, and two fellow musicians, Serhiy<br />
years ago. S<strong>in</strong>ce then, these talented<br />
Soloshchenko (second viol<strong>in</strong>) and Dmytro<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ians have worked for such cruise<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian National Woman’s League <strong>of</strong><br />
Panchenko (viola), formed the Premier<br />
l<strong>in</strong>es as Pr<strong>in</strong>cess and Celebrity, hav<strong>in</strong>g been<br />
America. Recogniz<strong>in</strong>g the young girl’s talent<br />
and potential, Ms. Bilowchtchuk quick-<br />
Str<strong>in</strong>g Quartet.<br />
afforded the ability to share their passion<br />
for music with thousands <strong>of</strong> passengers<br />
ly awarded Ms. Holovata a scholarship that Like Mr. Dudko, Mr. Soloshchenko<br />
around the world while travel<strong>in</strong>g to places<br />
enabled her to attend the Solomyia attended the Mykola Lysenko Kyiv<br />
most people can only dream about visit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Krushelnytska Lviv Specialized Secondary Specialized Secondary Music School for<br />
one day.<br />
Music School.<br />
11 years and cont<strong>in</strong>ued on to the Kyiv<br />
They love what they do, but it is no<br />
Upon graduat<strong>in</strong>g from the secondary National Musical Academy. His accomplishments<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude perform<strong>in</strong>g with the (Cont<strong>in</strong>ued on page school, Ms. Holovata cont<strong>in</strong>ued her studies 34)<br />
U.S. Work/Travel program benefits students from Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
by Bohdana Puzyk<br />
For the past three years Soyuzivka<br />
has hosted student workers from<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e through the U.S. government<br />
program Work/Travel. It is available to<br />
foreign university students who want to<br />
come to the U.S. for the summer to<br />
work. Soyuzivka works with a designated<br />
“sponsor” from U.S. Immigration<br />
and Customs Enforcement who is<br />
authorized to issue the DS-2019 form,<br />
which allows the student to apply for<br />
the J-1 visa.<br />
Any Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian university student<br />
between the ages <strong>of</strong> 18 and 28 can participate<br />
<strong>in</strong> this program. Students learn<br />
about the program and sponsors through<br />
advertisement. Once a student has<br />
selected a sponsor to work with, he or<br />
she can then review the opportunities<br />
available. The student then applies for<br />
the jobs <strong>of</strong>fered and <strong>in</strong>terviews with the<br />
prospective employer. Once an employer<br />
accepts the student, the sponsor<br />
works with students to complete the<br />
necessary forms (DS-2019), applications<br />
and prepare for the U.S. Embassy<br />
<strong>in</strong>terview.<br />
Once the Embassy issues a visa, the<br />
student is ready to travel to America.<br />
Students are allowed to work to the<br />
last date on their DS-2019 forms and<br />
then have an additional 30 days to travel<br />
with<strong>in</strong> the U.S. before their departure<br />
home.<br />
There is a fee to register with a sponsor.<br />
The fee <strong>in</strong>cludes: placement (f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a job), a completed DS-2019 form,<br />
sett<strong>in</strong>g up an appo<strong>in</strong>tment with the U.S.<br />
Embassy, assistance with visa process<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
registration with the Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Homeland Security, and the Student and<br />
Exchange Visitor <strong>In</strong>formation System<br />
(SEVIS), orientation, medical <strong>in</strong>surance<br />
and support while <strong>in</strong> the United States.<br />
By work<strong>in</strong>g with a designated sponsor,<br />
Soyuzivka is able to hire university<br />
students who have been <strong>in</strong>terviewed<br />
and understand that Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian and<br />
English are the languages they will be<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
The most important service sponsors<br />
provide is that they ensure that the students<br />
have all <strong>of</strong> the necessary documents<br />
filled out accurately for the<br />
Embassy <strong>in</strong>terview, ensur<strong>in</strong>g that the<br />
students will come here for the summer<br />
legally. They register the students with<br />
SEVIS, which allows them to apply and<br />
receive a Social Security card, mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
them legal workers. All participants are<br />
exempt from Social Security (FICA),<br />
Medicare and Federal Unemployment<br />
Tax (FUTA).<br />
These students from Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are a<br />
wonderful asset to Soyuzivka. And, they<br />
benefit too. Not only are they learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
English, but they are also learn<strong>in</strong>g about<br />
life <strong>in</strong> America. Their enthusiasm to be<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> America and to be <strong>in</strong> an<br />
environment like Soyuzivka, where they<br />
meet fellow Ukra<strong>in</strong>ians, and see that the<br />
diaspora is not only alive but flourish<strong>in</strong>g<br />
is very <strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Many friendships have been formed<br />
between Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian and American students<br />
over the summers and, as <strong>in</strong> the<br />
past, Soyuzivka cont<strong>in</strong>ues to be the<br />
place for our youth to make lifelong<br />
friends. Now those friendships are not<br />
only from across an ocean but may<br />
actually be from the same town or village<br />
where our grandparents or parents<br />
lived.<br />
For more <strong>in</strong>formation about a J-1<br />
visa, DS-2019 from or the SEVIS program,<br />
readers may visit the U.S. State<br />
Department website (see http://travel.<br />
state.gov/visa/temp/types_1267.html).