Ukrainian Connection :Biographies:

Ukrainian Connection Biographies

Walter Kyliuk – Fiddle, Banjo

Walter was born and raised in the Hafford area. He was fortunate to have a musically talented teacher in elementary school that took a great interest in his musical ability. She taught him mandolin, accordion and violin. Walter’s parents paid for his music lessons with eggs and cream from the farm!

At age 18 Smilin' Johnnie, a popular concert and dance band, hired Walter to play accordion for him. Every afternoon during the week they had a 30 minute performance on CJNB radio in North Battleford. They also toured a good part of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Yukon with a show and dance.

Over the next 40 years Walter played with various bands at many functions, especially Ukrainian weddings. After retiring from teaching in 1995 he became more dedicated to his music.

Ukrainian Connection was formed in 2002 when Mickey gave thumbs up to Walter’s audition on fiddle. Backing the legendary Mickey & Bunny was quite an honor, so engaging talented musicians to form a new band wasn’t difficult.

In the spring of 2003 the band recorded their first album which was very well received. In fact, it became the top selling album of the year in Saskatchewan.

Their second album which was released in May, 2004 has two tsymbaly numbers plus Ukrainian and English vocals. This is in addition to country, old time and Ukrainian instrumentals. The instruments in the first album are similar except it has only English vocals.

Norman Woytowich – Accordion

Norman’s love for music started at the age of 8 when his parents bought him a 12 bass accordion. At age 12 he started playing at local dances for $4.00/night. He pursued his talent playing with different bands, and in 1966 Norman’s band recorded their first long play record.

Again, playing Ukrainian music Norman played at many, MANY weddings and anniversaries. Two years ago Walter and Norman began a new band called the Ukrainian Connection.

The rest is history.

Amanda Trulicz – Vocals

Amanda was born and raised in Saskatoon, which gave her the opportunity to study Ukrainian through elementary school, high school and university. She is a recent grad of the U of S with degrees in Religious Studies and Education.

Music has always been central in Amanda’s life. Some of her earliest musical memories include chording along on the piano while her dad played fiddle or mandolin. She’s been singing in church with 3 of her sisters for many years, and has been a soloist for various functions. Amanda began taking music lessons at a young age, in voice, piano and violin. She has been a competitor in the Saskatoon Music Festival for 12 years where she’s received many awards and scholarships. Last year, Amanda was the recipient of one of the top vocal awards and she also earned the highest award in Musical Theatre at the Provincial Music Festival. She has been in 10 musical productions and has a leading role in Saskatoon Summer Players’ June production of West Side Story.

Amanda is delighted to have the opportunity to combine her love of music with her love of the Ukrainian culture.

Rick Sielski – Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Drums

He played his first professional gig at age 11 and hasn’t stopped since. This multi-talented individual is just as comfortable playing bass, drums, accordion, banjo and pedal steel guitar. His approach/technique of relaying musical expressions comes straight from the heart. Ricks’s beaming smile and his highly compatible personality create a party atmosphere on stage which immediately catches on with the audience. He is a former member of “Inmate”, “The Jones Boys”, and was a founding member of the popular party band “Midnite Xpress” which performed across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for 17 years. Rick has opened for Marty Stuart and such Canadian artists as Charlie Major, Chris Cummings and Julian Austin. He’s also played the main stage at “The Big Valley Jamboree” two years in a row sharing the spotlight with superstars Alabama, Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakum, Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride, Wynonna, Clint Black, Mark Chesnutt and Emmylou Harris to name a few.

Rick loves BUDWEISER BEER, hot tubbing, BACON and hopes to be re-incarnated as “America’s Polka King” the late great Frankie Yankovic.

Matthew Gruza – Tsymbaly, Bass, Accordion

At the age of 10 Matthew received a tsymbaly that his grandparents carried home with them from a trip to Ukraine. No one in his family appreciated what an influence this would have on him. By age 12 Matthew was hired by the Saskatoon Partnership to perform for tourists in downtown Saskatoon during the summer and he expanded his tsymbaly perforances to become a regular at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market, as well as various private community events throughout the year. His musical accomplishments span many genres and instruments. He plays piano, accoustic and electric guitar, electric and double bass, and the accordion. He is currently principal bassist for the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra and has twice performed with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra!

Robert Kardash - Bass, Lead/Rhythm Guitar

Robert began strumming a guitar at the age of 12. During his high school years, he played with several bands from the Hafford area. He learned to play the bass guitar and a four string banjo during that time.

After college, Robert gave up music for a period of 25 years. Raising a family and pursuing a career became a priority. In 1993, his wife Lynne gave him a bass guitar on their 25th wedding anniversary. His love for music rekindled, he began jamming with a few musicians from the Winnipeg area, where he now lives.

In the summer of 2001, he was reunited with several musician friends he had played with in bands during his high school years.

In 2002, Robert was delighted when Walter asked him if he would be interested in playing a few gigs with the Ukrainian Connection Band. Now he plays with the band as often as he can and enjoys every minute of it.

Andy Tokaryk – Saxophone

-born 1916 - raised on the farm near Hafford, Sk.
-was lucky to have Ukrainian teachers that were teaching Ukrainian and music
-at an early age, started playing instruments with brothers and sisters
-started own band in 1936 and proceeded from there with many other bands
-at age 88, Andy still has his own band and is also a regular guest with the Ukrainian Connection band