From IHMS to Winnipeg Folk Festival

We had a chance to catch up with Mikhas Chabluk (IHMS '02) and Andrijko Semaniuk (IHMS '02) to learn what they have been up to in the years since IHMS.

Q: Tell us a bit about the path you've taken since IHMS.

Mikhas: I went to St. Paul’s High School, then completed University 1 and graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba. I worked at Shoppers Drug Mart for nine years, and now I’m an Operations Pharmacist with Medisystem Pharmacy, which supports care homes across Manitoba, including Holy Family Home. I married Johanna Washchyshyn (IHMS ’01) in 2013, and we have two amazing kids: William (almost 5) and Lilyana (2).

Andrijko: I also went to St. Paul’s, then studied at U of M where I earned my B.Comm (Hons) in Finance and International Business. I moved to Calgary in 2013 and worked for WestJet for eight years, mostly in Revenue Management. My wife, Ulyana Beley, and I currently live in Toronto, where I work in Category Management at Molson Coors.

Q: How would you say your time at IHMS influenced your values and your artistic passions?

Mikhas: IHMS strengthened my love of faith, culture, and work ethic – things that had been rooted in me by my family. Participating in events like the Christmas and Ukrainian concerts made me comfortable on stage and gave me a love of performing which I carry with me today in Hoosli and Zrada. I actually remember singing Chervona Ruta with Andrijko in Grade 3 or 4, in sunglasses, suits – the whole deal!

Andrijko: For me, IHMS was where culture and faith came alive, where it wasn’t just taught, but also lived. That’s a huge reason my parents enrolled me. Those values were reinforced through concerts, liturgies, and daily life at school. That early pride in our Ukrainian identity stuck with me and naturally led to joining Hoosli and later Zrada. The school also gave me a chance to develop confidence performing in front of an audience, something that still helps me in my professional life, whether it’s making presentations or public speaking.

Q: Zrada has always written original music in Ukrainian, even before the recent cultural resurgence. Why was that important to you?

Mikhas: The decision to only write music in Ukrainian was never really in question. The progression of the band over the years has been really interesting. Our original idea when we started in 2006 was to create a new style of music that young Ukrainians could enjoy and identify with. Whereas now, with a majority of our listeners actually being non-Ukrainian, I feel like our mission has been to expose the broader music community to Ukrainian language and folk music through our own unique style and sound. It’s very rewarding to see people who may not actually understand the lyrics we are singing, still dancing and connecting to our music on some deeper level.

Andrijko: Writing in Ukrainian felt natural. It’s the language of our faith, our families, and our stories. There’s a certain emotional weight that connects to something deeper. From an artistic point of view, it also just gives you different tools, rhythms and metaphors to work with.

Q: Zrada was invited to perform at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Can you describe how you felt performing?

Mikhas: Folk Fest was an amazing experience! Great crowds all three days. The highlight for me was getting to share music and the stage with other bands and musicians from around the world. Jamming on their songs and hearing them interpret our songs was something I’ll never forget. Especially memorable was getting to play with Maryna Krut, a bandurist and singer from Ukraine. The last song she chose to play was Chervona Ruta, and as Andrijko and I sang along, we had a full circle moment to that early-days Ukrainian concert at IHMS where we sang the same song together!

Andrijko: Absolutely, it was one of the most unique performing experiences I've ever had – an all-time highlight with the band. I’m really grateful we got the opportunity to share our music at the festival (our second time there) to show that modern Ukrainian music and language has a place. I’ll echo Mikhas’ thoughts on the performances, specifically with Maryna Krut and Black Sea Station. It was really moving to be on that stage with the other musicians, where we all seemed to blend so seamlessly. The common refrain among the band was “good thing we were wearing sunglasses", because all of us were crying at one point or another! Just a beautiful culmination of the music, language, and culture of not only Zrada but everyone on stage. Also, as Mikhas said, what a cool full-circle moment, performing Chervona Ruta at a big festival with a renowned Ukrainian artist, a song we learned and sang together as kids at IHMS.

Q: You were also involved with Saint Javelin (a Canadian company raising money for Ukraine via apparel and accessories) and a Ukrainian Army anthem collaboration. Can you tell us more about that?

Andrijko: The idea came in the early days of the full-scale invasion. Like so many others, we were asking ourselves what we could do. We approached Saint Javelin with the concept of writing a track, Javelin Jump, and creating merchandise to raise funds. Our drummer, Nick Luchak, designed the artwork. People who bought the shirt got early access to the song, and the money went to the Ukrainian World Congress’ Unite with Ukraine initiative.

Mikhas: Around the same time Hoosli was looking to collaborate with other artists to show our unity in support of Ukraine. The idea was brought up to work together with Zrada to create an arrangement of Zrodylys My – Anthem of the Ukrainian Army. Both groups were very excited to work with each other and create a powerful and patriotic version of the song.

Q: Do you have any favourite memories from your time at IHMS?

Mikhas: I loved the Christmas and Ukrainian concerts, intramural sports at lunchtime (shout-out to the Flora Flyers!), and the camaraderie of after-school programs with kids from all different grades. Most importantly, making lasting friendships, strengthening my faith, and laying the educational foundation that would shape my future learning in high school and university.

Andrijko: Ukrainian Week in March always stood out to me. I loved having a whole week focused on culture, and I really enjoyed sharing that with classmates who didn’t have the same background. Everyone was always open and curious.

Q: If you could give advice to your Grade 8 selves, or to current students, what would you say?

Andrijko: Be open. Try new things. Explore your interests even if they’re outside the norm. Education isn’t just about grades; it’s about growing, and that happens in all kinds of spaces, not just the classroom. And remember, your journey is your own. Don’t compare it to others.

Mikhas: Stay true to yourself and true to the values in your heart. Don’t try to change yourself to fit in. Be kind to others and find the good in each person you encounter. Start each day with a positive attitude and you’ll invite positivity into your life.

Q: Any final reflections?

Andrijko: I’m truly grateful I had the chance to attend IHMS. The education was solid, but it’s the experiences, the values and the friendships that really stayed with me.

Mikhas: I couldn’t agree more. And I just want to say thank you to the teachers, coaches, and volunteers at IHMS. You may not hear it enough but we are so grateful for what you do. You leave a lasting imprint on each one of the students you encounter.

Read more alumni stories in the Summer issue of From the Heart.