Ukrainian Art Song Project

The Ukrainian Art Song Project (UASP) is a Toronto-based recording label and cultural initiative founded in 2004 with the goal of acquiring, recording, publishing, and promoting the classical treasures of Ukrainian art song. Operating under the auspices of the Canadian Ukrainian Opera Association, a registered charity, the project is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors based in Toronto. Its companion recording label, Musica Leopolis, was founded alongside the project in 2004. The project's central ambition is to record and publish an anthology of more than 1,000 art songs by 26 of Ukraine's most significant composers, many of whose voices were silenced or politically repressed. To date, the label has recorded more than 400 dramatic songs, including works by composers such as Mykola Lysenko, Kyrylo Stetsenko, Yakiv Stepovyi, Stefania Turkewich, and Vasyl Barvinsky. All recordings are available on major streaming platforms. Beyond recordings, UASP places strong emphasis on education and accessibility. Musical scores are published on the project's website and can be downloaded free of charge, and its online library offers more than 350 downloadable scores, translations, transliterations, and pronunciation guides. The project also aims to introduce Ukrainian art songs to students in international conservatories and music faculties. In 2017, UASP established the Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute, an intensive week-long program of master classes and individual coaching sessions for emerging artists and educators of diverse backgrounds, culminating in a public concert. The institute has been held annually in Toronto, often at the Temerty Theatre of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and by 2026 was in its eighth year. Through recordings, free educational resources, and live performance training, the Ukrainian Art Song Project has significantly expanded the reach and influence of Ukrainian composers and classical music.

The Ukrainian Art Song Project and its companion recording label, Musica Leopolis, were founded in 2004 with the dream of acquiring and promoting the classical treasures of Ukrainian art song. The initiative was conceived as a ground-breaking effort to record and publish a veritable anthology of over 1,000 art songs by 26 of Ukraine's most significant composers, many of whose voices had been silenced or politically repressed. From its base in Toronto, the project operates under the auspices of the Canadian Ukrainian Opera Association, a registered charity whose objectives are to promote Ukrainian classical music in all its forms, including live performances, masterclasses, and recordings. A volunteer Board of Directors based in Toronto is responsible for fulfilling the aims of the project and spearheading communication, fundraising, and events. Over the years, the Musica Leopolis label has recorded more than 400 dramatic songs, many of them masterpieces, by composers such as Mykola Lysenko, Kyrylo Stetsenko, Yakiv Stepovyi, Stefania Turkewich, and Vasyl Barvinsky. All recordings are available on major streaming platforms. In parallel, the project has pursued an educational mission: musical scores are published on the Ukrainian Art Song Project website and can be downloaded free of charge, and an online library offers more than 350 downloadable scores, translations, transliterations, and pronunciation guides. A key goal has been to introduce Ukrainian art songs to students in international conservatories and music faculties. In 2017, the project established the Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute to introduce emerging artists and educators of diverse backgrounds to this repertoire under the guidance of a professional faculty. The institute is an intensive week-long program of master classes and individual coaching sessions, culminating in a command performance on the final day. It has been held annually in Toronto, frequently at the intimate Temerty Theatre of the Royal Conservatory of Music, with seating arranged in a "theatre in the round" configuration that places performers amidst the audience. By 2026, the Summer Institute was in its eighth successful year, bringing together aspiring singers and collaborative pianists. The project reports that as a result of these efforts, the reach and influence of Ukrainian composers and classical music have significantly expanded. More than 50 participants had taken part in the institute by the time of the project's published account.

• 2026

  Eighth annual Summer Institute held in Toronto, August 10–16.

• 2017

  Ukrainian Art Song Summer Institute established.

• 2004

  Ukrainian Art Song Project and the Musica Leopolis recording label founded.

A non-profit cultural and educational recording project dedicated to preserving and disseminating Ukrainian classical art song, with free public access to scores and educational resources.

• Musica Leopolis recordings

  More than 400 dramatic songs recorded, available on major streaming platforms.

• Online score library

  More than 350 downloadable scores, translations, transliterations, and pronunciation guides, free of charge.

1. 1Ukrainian Art Song Projectukrainianartsong.ca
2. 2about UASP — Ukrainian Art Song Projectukrainianartsong.ca
3. 3Ukrainian Art Song Project — Wikidatawikidata.org