Festival Organization

Montréal Ukrainian Festival 2007

 

Alexandra Kindrat - President
Alexandra was born and raised in Montreal, and is a member of St Sophie's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. She is a former performer at the festival, both with Montreal's Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Troyanda, and with her national swing dance partner, with whom she has competed at the national level. Alexandra is very involved in Canada's Ukrainian community, and is a member of the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada Daughters of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Self-Reliance Association. She is a recently published neuroscientist and is pursuing graduate studies in public relations. Alexandra is currently working as a mathematics and science education specialist.

 

Jenia Kulchycky - V.P Finance
Jenia is part of the Ukrainian community in Lachine, Quebec, where she attended Ukrainian School and learned how to play the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument. She was a member of an amateur drama group directed by Mrs. Nadia Olynyk that was invited to perform "Lisova Pisnia" in Toronto. She is the Cash Applications Administrator at Metso, a global engineering and technology corporation.

 

Mykola Marunych - V.P. Logistics
Born in the city of Sambir, Lviv region, Ukraine, he now lives in Canada with his family since 1997. He was educated at the University of Moscow and is one of the founders and ex-president of the Ukrainian Organization for Newly Arrived immigrants in Montreal, "Zustrich". He is an active member of the Ukrainian Community and we are glad to have him.

 

Christine Mota - V.P. Marketing and Communications

A graduate of Concordia University, Christine was recently appointed Director of Media Relations and official spokesperson for Concordia, where she has worked since 1993. Prior to that, she had a 15-year career in the Montreal broadcast industry, working at various radio and TV stations as a newscaster, producer and talk-show host. She has been active in the Ukrainian community for many years and has been involved with the Montreal Ukrainian Festival since 2002.

 

Jan Krejcar - V.P. Entertainment

Jan Krejcar was born in the former Czechoslovakia and raised in rural Alberta where he began to play piano and study music. In 1996 he went back to the Czech Republic where he graduated from the Ceske Budejovice Music Conservatory in 2002 with an Artist Diploma. After touring Germany and Austria with the Tschechische Filharmoniker orchestra, he came to Montreal with his wife where he now is pursuing a graduate degree at McGill University. He is active as a performer, and is choir and music director at St. John's United Church in Pointe Claire. Jan has been helping with the Ukrainian festival since his arrival in Montreal in 2003. He is also the co-founder of a Ukrainian folk group that performs in and around Montreal.

 

Suzie Nicoriuk, M.A. - V.P. Concession & Vendors

Suzie was born in Montreal and has spent most of her life here. She is a graduate of Concordia University for both bachelor's and Master's degrees. Four years ago, Suzie made a major career shift. She returned to school to study for her license and is now a Financial Security Advisor.
She is an avid artist of oil painting, and spends as much time as she can at it. However just before Easter each year she changes her paint brush for a kistka and makes Pysanky for her family and friends. This is Suzie's second year in being involved with the Festival.

 

Christine Kozak Mastrofrancesco - Secretary

Born and raised in Lachine Quebec and now a resident of St Leonard, Christine has a degree from McGill University in Business Administration. Presently employed with Service Canada at the Montreal Regional call center, she honours and preserves her Ukrainian heritage through pysanka making (Ukrainian Easter egg, playing the bandura (traditional 56-string instrument), as a former member of the Trembita orchestra and in various other Ukrainian cultural organizations. Christine has been involved with the Montreal Ukrainian Festival as an active member since 2000.

 

Alex Gyba - Art Director

Established in the field of advertising and visual design, Alex brings to the Montreal Ukrainian Festival more than 25 years of experience with his colourful illustrations that adorn the events posters and brochures. An honors graduate from Académie des Arts (affiliated with the Louvre in Paris, France) and holding various degrees in marketing and visual arts, he strives to produce the right ambiance with each and every creative concept. Alex has been active in the Ukrainian community since childhood, singing with various choirs and performing in Ukrainian dance troops. His contributions to the Montreal Ukrainian Festival began in 2002 with his creation of the festival logo. .

 

Alex Wasylyk – Webmaster

A student of the Software Engineering program at Concordia University, Alex has worked in web design since 2000. Self taught in the field, he started his own company, SG Enterprises, in 2002, specializing in web design and hosting services. In 2003, he oversaw the updating of the Marianopolis College website, and then successfully designed and implemented a web-based payroll system for the college. In 2006, he was hired to the newly created full-time position of Webmaster at Marianopolis College, where he remains to this date. Alex has been an active member of the Ukrainian Festival for many years and, since 2002, has shared his talents and experience as our Webmaster

 

Committee Chairs

Iryna Powidajko - Fundraising Chair

Born and bred in Lachine, Irene is a graduate of Concordia University. She has worked on the Fundraising Ball Committees for the Ukrainian Residence and the celebration of the Millennium of Christianity in Ukraine. She now lives in Ottawa but her heart remains with the Montreal Ukrainian community. Despite the Ottawa-Montreal commute, Irene was President of the St. Volodymyr Cultural Association last year and continues to dedicate herself to the Festival’s fundraising efforts.