Album Notes

This much-anticipated debut recording by Natalie and Olenka Nowytski embraces a spectrum of styles, ranging from traditional folk arrangements to highly arranged versions of Ukrainian Christmas season music, performed a cappella, with an emphasis on the Christmas/New Years/Epiphany music of composer Kyrylo Stetsenko.

Natalie Nowytski and Olenka Nowytski have been performers since childhood. From singing to playing musical instruments to dancing to acting, these versatile performers have shared the stage as nearby as their home state of Minnesota and as far away as The French Pyrenees. Both accomplished musicians in their own right, their collaboration on their debut album, "Winter (Zyma)," brings them back to their Ukrainian roots, using both classical and folk techniques they have studied over the years.

With more than 40 languages and over a dozen distinct vocal styles in her repertoire, Natalie has become respected as a master artist of Eastern European vocal styling. In addition to her growing roster of private voice students, she frequently conducts multi-level vocal workshops and has served as consultant for various choirs, including The Rose Ensemble and KITKA. Her performance credits include regular appearances with Peter Ostroushko, Ruth MacKenzie, Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum, and Ethnic Dance Theatre. She has also performed several times on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" with Mila Vocal Ensemble as well as at the prestigious Koprivshtitsa folk festival in Bulgaria. Although she calls the voice her main instrument, Natalie plays more than a dozen folk and classical instruments and is the vocalist/percussionist for Orkestar Bez Ime (OBI).

Olenka has had an extensive singing career, including being one of the youngest vocalists, as a teenager, in the adult Ukrainian chorus Dnipro. She has performed and recorded with Yevshan Zillia women's chorus and The Ethnic Dance Theatre Vocal Ensemble (now Mila Vocal Ensemble). She has traveled overseas to perform at international folk festivals and has studied with renowned folk vocalists, including Vesela Ilieva of Varna, Bulgaria.