Orest Soltykevych (b. 1958) is a Ukrainian-Canadian conductor, currently conductor of the Ukrainian Men's Choir of Edmonton and the Ukrainian Choir Verkhovyna. Orest is also an announcer and producer of radio programmes on the CKUA Radio Network. Orest is the son of Roman Soltykevych.
Personal life
Orest was born and raised in Edmonton, Canada, where he graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music with a 9th grade degree in piano. He went on to study at the University of Alberta, where he received a Bachelor of Education with a specialisation in secondary music.
After completing his studies, Orest began working in the Edmonton Public Schools in various capacities, including computer studies teacher, instrumental music teacher, assistant principal, principal, and substitute teacher.
Orest is married to Lesia Soltykevych and has two sons, Roman and Kassian, and one daughter, Tamara. Orest's father, Roman, was the choral conductor of the Ukrainian Dnipro Ensemble in Edmonton.
Musical career
In 1984, Orest became the founding conductor of the Ukrainian Men's Chorus in Edmonton, a position he still holds today. Under his leadership, the choir began a series of tours and performances in Canada and abroad in Ukraine, Poland, Austria, Latvia, Spain, Portugal and the United States.
In 1986, Orest began conducting the Ukrainian Canadian Youth Association (UCYA) Choir, which he led for 7 years. He also conducted the St Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Parish Choir for three years. Currently, Orest is the director of the Verkhovyna Ukrainian Choir in Edmonton.
Throughout his career, Orest has also performed with the Dnipro Choir, the Richards Eaton Singers, Da Camera, and the Cappella Kiri Slavic Chamber Choir.
For ten years, Orest was a member of the Ukrainian Music Society, including serving as its president for a period of time.
Hosting radio programmes
In 1999, Orest founded the radio programme "Ukrainian Sounds" on the University of Alberta's CJSR radio station, which he hosted for a total of seven years.
Currently, Orest hosts the classical music programmes "Saturday Breakfast" and "Sunday Breakfast" on the CKUA radio network in Alberta.
Awards.
In 2005, Orest was awarded the Hetman Award by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Alberta Provincial Council for his many years of service to the Ukrainian community.
