Iryna Dusheiko

Iryna Dusheiko is an artistic director of the Dnipro Choir of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Iryna was born in 1973 in Kyiv, Ukraine. She graduated from R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music, class of choir conducting, in 1993. In 1998 she graduated from Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, department of folk musical performance, and received the folk choir conductor specialty diploma. She expanded her knowledge in Ukrainian traditional folk vocal and its usage in choir singing. In 2001 Iryna completed her postgraduate studies in Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, department of music pedagogy.

Iryna Dusheiko received her knowledge of choir conducting from prominent teachers: the honored artist of Ukraine Ghalyna Gorbatenko, Yuri Ghalatenko, Mychailo Hardaiev, Stanislav Pavliuchenko and Ivan Pavlenko. The latter invited Iryna to work as a choirmaster of the oldest Dnipro Choir of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Since 1999 Ivan Pavlenko and Iryna Dusheiko have worked together for 10 years with the Dnipro Choir.  In 2009 Iryna headed the choir as an artistic director and chief conductor.

For the last 11 years it is under the rule of Iryna Dusheiko that the choir got recognition and a lot of awards on the festivals and competitions in Europe and Ukraine.

• In 2019, the Dnipro Choir on December 5, premiered in Ukraine Martin Palmeri’s „Mass from Buenos Aires“ with the New Symphony Orchestra „Golden Gate of Kyiv“, conductor: Silvio Wheeler, soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine Tetyana Piminova: mezzo-soprano and laureate of international competitions, Boris Talko: accordion.
• Second prize in category adults mixed choirs in Canakkale international choir festival 2019, Turkey.
• In 2018, the Dnipro Choir represented Ukraine at the Gavril Musisecki International Choral Festival in Iasi, Romania, and at the 36^th International Choral Festival in the Greek city of Preveza. Silver in honor in two nominations – „Mixed Choirs“ (male and female) and „Free choice of program“.
• In 2017, the Dnipro Choir is the winner at 36^th International Festival of Orthodox Church Music “Hajnówka” in B Bialystok, Poland, and receives the 1^st prize in the Amateur Choir category.  In a tour of Dnipro Choir to Lithuania the soloists of the choir win 1^st and 2^nd prize at “Young Maestro” competition in Mariampole.
• In 2016, a tour to Germany, Switzerland and Italy with the performance of the cantata Carmina Burana together with the orchestra of the University of Konstanz.
• In 2015, the Dnipro Choir gains diplomas at the International Festival of Choral Song in Międzyzdroje (Poland):  Bronze diploma in the general competition and Silver diploma in the competition of spiritual choral music. Iryna Dusheiko, artistic director of the choir, receives a special diploma from the united musical community of orchestras and choirs.
• In 2014, the Dnipro Choir receives the 1^st prize at the 4^th International Dmytro Bortniansky Competition of Vocal Ensembles and Choirs (Kyiv).
• In 2013, the Dnipro Choir becomes the laureate of the 13^th International Choir Festival “Universitas Cantat” in Poznan, Poland.
• In April of 2013, the Dnipro Choir wins 1^st prize at the Festival Competition of University Choirs “Singing Enchantment” in the city of Kharkiv.
• In 2012, the Dnipro Choir performs an original project with the Cantabile Orchestra in Kyiv and Lviv with soundtracks to the Lord of the Rings film triology.
• In 2011, Iryna Dusheiko receives a special prize at the 43^rd International Festival “Città di Fano” in Fano (Italy), while the Dnipro Choir becomes the winner of the festival and gets the 2^nd prize.
• In 2010 and in 2015, the Dnipro Choir becomes the winner of the 5^th and 10^th International Festivals of Choir Singing in Gerzat (France).
• In 2009, the performance of Carmina Burana in the Philharmonic of Berlin is held jointly with the Dnipro Choir, the mixed choir of the Berlin Technical University and the Philharmonic Orchestra.

For the past 11 years on the initiative of Iryna Dusheiko, the Dnipro Choir has performed many tours to Europe as well as hosted European choirs in Kyiv, i.a. the choir of the university of Konstanz (Germany), the Choir of the university of Bremen (Germany), the Yan Shyrotsky Academic Choir from West Pomeranian Technical University (Poland), the Choir G.E.V. from Vicenza (Italy), the Coro Polifonico Malatestiano (Fano, Italy), the London ORIANA Сhoir, the choir Gaudeamus from Vilnius University (Lithuania). All these numerous international exchanges contribute to interpenetration and promotion of the cultures.