NEWSLETTER
The free event will take place Sunday, March 30, showcasing Ukrainian opera, art song, and folk traditions
Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (March 10, 2025) — Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Skidmore College invites the community to experience “Voices of Ukraine,” a moving celebration of Ukrainian culture through its rich musical and dance traditions, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at the Arthur Zankel Music Center. Co-presented by Skidmore’s Department of Music and the Ukrainian Classical Voice Project, the concert will highlight rarely heard works from Ukrainian opera, art song, and folk traditions, offering a poignant tribute to Ukraine’s resilience and artistic legacy. The event is free and open to the public.
Under the musical direction of the Metropolitan Opera’s Yelena Kurdina, “Voices of Ukraine” will showcase an extraordinary lineup of artists, including many Skidmore community members. Guest soprano Vedrana Kalas will be joined by Skidmore faculty members Senior Artist-in-Residence Young Kim (piano) and Private Music Instructor Casey Gray (voice); student soloists from the Musical Theater-Opera Workshop; and the Skidmore Chorus, directed by Artist-in-Residence and Choral Director Floydd Ricketts.
The Zorepad Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, led by Skidmore student and Artistic Director Lucas Lewyckyj ’26, will join the concert’s vocal and instrumental performances, bringing the beauty of Ukrainian folk traditions to life with traditional Ukrainian dance.
The afternoon will open with remarks by Dr. Andrij Baran, president of the local branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. A celebrated member of the Capital Region Ukrainian community, Baran is known not only for his brilliance as a cardiologist but also as a passionate historian, tireless researcher, and honorary Cossack-in-disguise. His deep knowledge and unwavering dedication to Ukraine’s cultural and historical legacy will set the stage for this powerful program.
Founded by Skidmore Private Music Instructor Irina Petrik, the Ukrainian Classical Voice Project is dedicated to preserving and promoting the vocal heritage of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Classical Voice Project gives voice to the underrepresented composers of Ukraine by organizing workshops, presentations, seminars, and concerts, among many other offerings.
The concert is co-produced by Petrik alongside Skidmore voice faculty and alumna Sylvia Stoner-Hawkins '94. For more information, please visit the Zankel Music Center website.
About Skidmore College’s Arthur Zankel Music Center
The Arthur Zankel Music Center is Skidmore College’s state-of-the-art performance venue, dedicated to fostering musical excellence and creativity through innovative collaborations with students, faculty, and guest artists. Named in honor of Arthur Zankel, a devoted Skidmore trustee and visionary philanthropist, the Center is a testament to his legacy of support and commitment to the arts, providing a vibrant and inclusive space for musical exploration and performance.
About Skidmore College
Founded in 1903, Skidmore College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college of about 2,700 students located in the dynamic town of Saratoga Springs, New York. Consistently ranked as a top liberal arts college by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes, and more, Skidmore has also been recognized for its innovation, value, and sustainability efforts. Skidmore fosters academic and personal excellence — all driven by a belief that Creative Thought Matters. Its comprehensive array of opportunities encompasses more than 40 bachelor’s degree programs, including popular offerings in business, psychology, and the creative and performing arts; competitive NCAA Division III athletics; world-class facilities; and hands-on civic engagement and career development resources.
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Media Contact:
Sara Miga
518-580-5616