Ukrainian Independence Day Program
Participants
Opening Prayer: V. Rev. Ihor Koshyk, V. Rev. Myroslav Mykytyuk, Fr. Vasyl Sauciur
Fr. Ihor Koshyk is a Ukrainian Catholic priest and Pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Los Angeles, CA. He has been working in pastoral care and spiritual support ministries for almost 20 years.
Father Ihor is native of Lviv, Ukraine. He graduated Lviv Holy Spirit Seminary and Ukrainian Catholic University in 2001. After graduation he worked for the Rector of Lviv Holy Spirit Seminary in Fundraising and Development. In 2002 he immigrated to Chicago, IL to work at the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation to raise awareness and funds to support Seminary and University in Lviv, Ukraine.
In 2004 Father Ihor began ministry as a deacon at St. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church and in 2005 was appointed as an assistant pastor. While serving as a parish priest Fr. Ihor was also ministering as a Chaplain at the local hospital serving the spiritual needs of those who are suffering and their families.
In December 2014, Fr. Ihor was appointed to serve as a pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Los Angeles, CA. Along with parish work Father Ihor also serves as an on call Chaplain for the local hospitals where he ministers to the spiritual and religions needs of patients and their families.
Father Myroslav Mykytyuk was born on May 10, 1991, in the Konopnytsia village, Pustomyty district, Lviv region. In 2008 he graduated from the Rudky Gymnasium and entered the Lviv Polytechnic National University. At the same time, he studied at the Lviv Orthodox Theological Seminary of St. John the Theologian.
In 2017, he continued his theological studies at the Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary in the USA in Sound Bound Brook, New Jersey, and graduated in 2020.
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, Primemat of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA, on January 30, 2021, he received ordination to the Holy Deaconet from the hands of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel.
On April 30, 2022, Father Myroslav was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.
While still a deacon, and then a priest, Father Myroslav was appointed an assistant priest at St. Volodymyr Cathedral in Philadelphia and served there until April 2023.
On March 13, 2023, by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, Father Myroslav was appointed as a rector of St. Andrew Church in Los Angeles.
Fr. Vasyl Sauciur is the current pastor at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, a position he has held since 2003. He graduated from seminary in Romania in 1997 and pursued further theological studies in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and Timișoara, Romania. Ordained as a priest in 2000 for the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania, Vasyl immigrated to the United States in 2002. In addition to his pastoral duties, he has also served as a chaplain at HPMC since 2006.
Kobzar Choir, Mr. Gregory P Hallick-Holutiak Director
Greg is a sales executive with an international lumber company in Northern California.
He studied music theory, composition, conducting and arranging at West Chester State Teacher’s College in eastern Pennsylvania. He studied conducting under the tutelage of several notable Ukrainian musicians such as Volodymyr Kolesnick, Volodymyr Bozyk, Petro Kondratenko, Dymtro Yakubenko and Very Reverend Stephen Hallick-Holutiak.
Greg became the choir conductor at Saint Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Los Angeles in 1973 and was the principal conductor until 2014 – 41 years. He assumed the podium of the Kobzar Ukrainian National Choir of Los Angels in 1985 and retained that podium for 29 years. Under his baton, Kobzar’s repertoire was expanded to include Ukrainian classical, national, folk and patriotic selections. He also began arranging symphonic orchestra arrangements to accompany Kobzar’s vocal ensemble in brilliant and exciting arrangements.
These arrangements were performed together with the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra and the Doctor’s Symphony Orchestra of Los Angeles. Together with these outstanding orchestras, Kobzar performed over 20 joint concerts which included Ukrainian Christmas Carols, Ukrainian Patriotic/Folk and many other musical genres. Under Greg’s baton, Kobzar has performed programs together with notable, internationally renowned artists such as Stefan Szkafarowky of the Metropolitan Opera of New York, Music Laureate Vasyl Nechepa of Ukraine and internationally acclaimed Irish tenor Anthony Kearns.
Master of Ceremonies, UCCLA Member George Wyhinny
George Wyhinny is the CEO of an art publishing house and event production company out of Los Angeles called Baby Tattoo. Founded by the late Bob Self, George developed a newfound passion for the curious world of artists and magicians the company has worked with for 20 years, and has become inspired to continue the work, bringing stunning books and jaw dropping events into the spotlight.
George also owns his own company, Parlay Production, which focuses on documentary and other narrative and literary development. George is of Ukrainian descent and has served on several boards which focus on garnering government support, raising community awareness, and sending material and financial aid to Ukraine.
Chervona Kalyna: Asya Gorska – Artistic Director of the ensemble, Choreographer, Ballet Master
The Ukrainian dance ensemble “Chervona Kalyna” was founded in 1997. The main goal of ensemble is to convey to the modern generation of Ukrainians living in America the history, culture, and features of the regional origin of Ukrainian dance. One of the primary missions of the ensemble is to introduce and popularize Ukrainian culture and traditions among Americans and emigrants from other countries. In addition to education, “Chervona Kalyna”actively participates in various international festivals and concerts and many charity events supporting Ukrainians in this challenging time. In 2022-23 the ensemble participated more than 50 charities events for supporting Ukraine. Chervona Kalyna Members include: Ievgeniia Stopnyk – Choreographer, Ballet Master (Merited Artist of Ukraine, graduate of the Virsky Ensemble, since 2022), Volodymyr Tymoshenko – Chief Choreographer (graduate of the Virsky Ensemble, 2011-2020), Yulia Tymoshenko – Choreographer (graduate of the Virsky Ensemble, 2011-2020), Marina Shtelen – Choreographer (until 2011), Andrea Kusina-Moravek – Coordinator of the Progroup and its founder (since 2011), Elizabeth Zakharkiv-Yemets – Costume Designer (since 2011), Svitlana Bohatchenko – Costume Designer (2005-2018), Svitlana Selska – Social Media manager.
President of the Ukrainian Culture Center Ms. Laryssa Reifel
Laryssa Reifel is Finance Leader in the technology space for the last 25 years. She has served small and complex global organizations in both private and public sectors. A graduate of the University of Denver’s Korbel School of International Studies as well as the Daniel’s College of business, she has Master’s degrees in International Economics and Policy Analysis as well as an MBA in Finance.
Laryssa is a Chicago native and is a 1st generation Ukrainian American. Her family escaped Russian oppression in WWII and arrived in the United States in 1950. She was also raised in a highly organized Ukrainian community in Chicago with access to Ukrainian schools, museums, and a multitude of social activities. Commitment to community service in the Ukrainian diaspora across various organizations over the last 30 years is central to her purpose and she is now the President of the Ukrainian Culture Center of Los Angeles.
Andriy Futey
Andriy Futey is the President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the largest umbrella organization representing over 2 million Ukrainian-Americans. He also serves as Vice-President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) having been re-elected in October 2023. In June 2002, the government of Ukraine appointed him as Honorary Consul of Ukraine for the states of Ohio and Kentucky, a position he currently serves.
Professionally, Futey is President of Andrew J. Futey & Associates, a public policy firm and brings more than 30 years of extensive government and campaign experience. He provides public policy and government relations consulting, strategic planning, public affairs and campaign development strategies at the international, federal, state and local levels
In September 2023, he was awarded the Order of Merit, Second Degree, by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He was also awarded in August 2021, the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In August 2018, he was awarded the Order of Merit by President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine for his personal significant contribution to advancing the image of Ukraine and to strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine bilateral relations.
Hugo Soto-Martínez, LA City Council Member
Hugo Soto-Martínez serves as Councilmember for the 13th District on the Los Angeles City Council.
Born and raised in Los Angeles to immigrant parents, Hugo is committed to uplifting the immigrant communities across LA that make our city so special. Prior to becoming a City Councilmember, Hugo spent 16 years at UNITE HERE Local 11 organizing with mostly immigrant women in the hotel industry to win healthcare, higher wages, and anti-harassment protections.
Andrii Kytasty Bandura Ensemble, Luke Miller, Bandurist
Luke Lashchuk Miller is a second generation Ukrainian American and native of San Diego. He learned bandura at age 13 from the late Andrij Kytasty. Luke was invited to join the 106 year old Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus in 2003 and has toured Western Europe, North America, and Ukraine. In December 2022, Luke performed with the Kapelya at Carnegie Hall. Luke, Olenka, Arkadia, and Yuri are very active members of the Southern California Ukrainian community.
Singer, Anytchka
Anytchka (Anna Cheberentchyk) was born in the historic corner of the Western Ukraine, in the village of Swirge near the city of Lviv into a Lemko family. She graduated form the Lviv institute of Arts snd Culture with degree in Choir Conductor.
Her creative start exploded in July of 1999 when she took part, with enormous success, in the XVII International Festival “Lemko Varta” in Jdynia, Poland. It is at this festival that Anna showed her true vocation. The public received her singing with great enthusiasm and would not let her leave the stage.
Singer, Anatloii Matviichuk
Anatoliy Mykolayovych Matviychuk (29 September 1958, Kyiv) is a Ukrainian singer, poet, composer, journalist, TV presenter, music analyst, teacher, and scholar. People’s Artist of Ukraine, winner of literary awards.
Since 1988, Anatoliy Matviychuk has been working as a composer and singer. He created songs for Nazariy Yaremchuk, Oksana Bilozir, Taisiya Povaliy, Iryna Bilyk, Vitaliy and Svitlana Bilonozhko, Alla Kudlay and many others. In total, he has written over 500 songs that have been performed on the professional stage. Among them, there are many that have been recognised as the best songs of the year.
Anatoliy Matviychuk is the creator of 9 solo CDs (“Two Birds”, “Halfway House of Love”, “King of the Shapito”, “Enchanted Beauty”, “Keys to Paradise”, “Thirst”, “My Star”, “Confession”, “The Road to Myself”) and 7 poetry books (“Poems”, 1996; “Noah’s Ark, 1998; Forerunner, 2003; Confession, 2007; Grains, 2012; On Guard, 2015; Laughter, 2017), author of poetry and journalistic publications in newspapers and magazines and online publications.
Stand With Ukraine Foundation, President Mykhailo Lavrys
Mykhailo is a Ukrainian-born American, a California and Ukraine licensed attorney, and the President of Stand With Ukraine Foundation, an activism movement and a non-profit organization. Since February 2022, SWU Foundation has organized over 70 rallies and events with thousands of supporters. Mykhailo and his team have set up several volunteer centers, having collected and shipped much-needed medical supplies, defensive gear, and other humanitarian aid.
Mykhailo has been actively supporting Ukraine’s democratic initiatives since 2013, including starting the Euromaidan LA movement, and founding a non-profit organization helping Ukrainian children in need (2015). Mykhailo is a UCLA School of Law graduate, a reserve lieutenant, and has a music degree. He lives in Los Angeles.
Event Photography and Videography
Stephon Litwinczuk
Stephon began his journey into filmmaking in High School in rural New Hampshire. Growing up in a small town cultivated an innate curiosity of the world. This led him to go on to study documentary filmmaking landing him eventually in Los Angeles where after delving into its dark downtown streets brought out his first directorial debut “Falling Up!”, the transformational journey of a homeless Vietnam Veteran addicted to crack on the streets of Skid Row.
With over 20 years of experience producing video content for a global audience, Stephon’s career spans from Los Angeles to India, encompassing both the stages of Hollywood and the diverse settings of international filmmaking. His journey through the documentary world is marked by collaborations with an Oscar-nominated director and the production of a three time Emmy-nominated documentary series. Driven by curiosity, creativity, competence, and an ongoing commitment to learning, Stephon has mastered every facet of production—from conception to distribution. As a longstanding member of the Producers Guild of America, he is deeply motivated by the transformative power of non-fiction storytelling to empower, engage, inform, and entertain audiences worldwide.
Oleg Kharchenko
Oleg Kharchenko – programmer, photographer. Graduated from the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute with a degree in “Control systems for spacecraft”. He taught for 15 years at the Polytechnic Institute the disciplines of Computer Mathematics, Automatic Control Systems, Theory of Computer Networks, Safety of Nuclear Power Plants. He was the scientific secretary of all-Union scientific conferences.
For more than 20 last year’s Oleg has been working as a software development manager and web manager of financial applications for American corporations in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Oleg has been engaged in professional photography for more than 30 years in the areas of portrait and reportage.
Since 2017, he has been photographing Ukrainian community and Ukrainian Church events in Los Angeles.
Ilmira Memetovna, Mira Grill
Tokhtarova Ilmira Memetovna, born in 1979, a native of Uzbekistan, returned to Crimea with her family in 1989. In the Ukrainian Crimea, she was part of a family restaurant business, where Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian dishes were presented. She is trying to grow this business in the United States – Mira Grill. In 2010, she defended her Ph.D. thesis in Mechanisms of Public Administration at the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine. Until 2022 Ilmira was an Associate Professor of the Department of Public Administration at the Kherson National Technical Institute. She has a 25-year-old son.