I am sure that if I tell you that a wonderful singer Iryna Reznytska came from Ukraine to the USA, you would never guess what she masters like no other talented singer. The thing is that Iryna Reznytska possesses not only excellent jazz vocals and vast experience performing at national and international levels but also unique circus artist skills. This means she can sing equally brilliantly with a respected jazz orchestra, in a cage with tigers, at a height of 15 meters, in water, while flying on an aerial hoop, or in experimental robotic performances where it's completely unclear what exactly she's standing on. This rare combination of professional deep vocals and the ability to maintain breath and voice stability in extreme and often life-threatening situations makes Iryna Reznytska not just another talented singer from Ukraine, but truly a phenomenon, an event, and a marvel.
We met with Iryna to discuss her journey, her special training, her potential as a unique artist, and of course, her work plans in the USA.
Iryna, I know that you recently moved to the USA, but I also know that you are often invited to perform. Do people approach you as a jazz singer or as a singing circus performer?
I am very grateful to my colleagues for recognizing me as a professional singer and artist. It's hard to say which requests come more often. I regularly participate in concerts, record vocal parts for various projects, including children's musicals. Sometimes event organizers approach me specifically because their concept requires live performance in extreme conditions: at height or in water.
How is it to sing in the water?
*Laughs*It is difficult and dangerous. To sing for a large audience, equipment is required, and wires and electricity are incompatible with water. Therefore, one needs to be maximally focused, careful, and responsible. I had a performance in the Kyiv Water Circus "Aquatoria," where I sang while standing on a dancer's shoulders as he was in the water and moving. It was very slippery and scary.
How is it even possible to maintain your voice in such conditions? Tell me honestly: did you use a backing track during the performance?
Never! All my circus vocal performances were performed live.
But how is this physically possible?!
Years of training, even decades of training! I have been in the circus literally since birth. My father is a People's Artist of Ukraine, the chief conductor of the National Circus of Ukraine, leader of his own big band, saxophonist, and an amazing teacher. I don't remember a single circus tour that I didn't go on with my dad. Dad revealed my musicality, discovered my voice, he supported all my musical dreams and aspirations, as well as my sudden desire to train with aerial gymnasts. And while at some point I went to study vocals professionally, life itself made me a circus performer: I asked circus trainers to work with me, repeated the tricks of artists, worked a lot on coordination, endurance, and separately worked on breathing.
In how many performances have you appeared as a singer with acrobatic skills?
Indeed, I recently counted all my performances. It turned out to be 69. These are all unique programs of national and international level, in which I am very proud to participate. They have become iconic for Ukraine.
You have become so significant that you were awarded the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine. Congratulations!
Thank you*blushes*The decree on conferring me the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine was indeed signed, but I was unable to receive my award as I was forced to leave the country due to the war.
This is your only official reward?
No. Besides, I am an Honored Artist of Variety Art of Ukraine.
I don't think I've ever met young, stylish, fashionable women with such high achievements. . . .
I just really love what I do in life...
I know that you recently participated in the Vegas Variety Circus festival(Takes place on August 31, 2024 in Las Vegas - editor's note.)Did you perform singing, or did you present a vocal-circus act?
I was invited to sing with the orchestra. It was an incredible experience! For any circus performer, and for me as well, Las Vegas is a very significant point on the world map. The entire city lives in show mode 24/7. By the way, I caught myself thinking that many shows from my native Kyiv Circus would be very well received by audiences in Las Vegas. Maybe one day our circus will tour there... But for now, I was singing with the orchestra in Vegas.
Singing with an orchestra is a common thing for you, isn't it?
This is quite a common situation! I have performed with my father's jazz band and many other orchestras in Ukraine, as well as with orchestras from other countries. For example, I sang with the Tbilisi Municipal Orchestra conducted by Givi Gachechiladze. Here in the USA, I already have scheduled performances with orchestras for 2025. For instance, with a jazz orchestra from Santa Barbara.
Could you tell us about your other creative plans?
I plan to perform a lot. For example, I often perform with joy at the Ukrainian Center in Los Angeles. There I perform on a voluntary basis. I plan to work with the Big Step children's school, where I perform in concerts, help record vocal parts for children's musicals, and prepare the children themselves for performances as singers. I plan to work frequently with event organizers. I cannot disclose the nuances of upcoming shows, as these are mostly private events, but I'm now starting to prepare for very complex performances on sophisticated ceiling structures - that's the maximum I can specify. I am truly happy to be in demand professionally in the USA. I had to leave my beloved Ukraine urgently and with a heavy heart. But I believe that such a forced exit from my comfort zone will only benefit me.Here I have the opportunity to work with top-level teams, expand my artistic range, participate in the most unique shows, and meet professionals and wonderful people from around the world. I truly have many interesting offers: I am invited to perform in jazz, pop, and children's concerts, I participate in charity events, and I am increasingly approached as a singing circus performer, which always leads to exceptionally original projects. I have much to be grateful for.
Iryna KIRIEVICH
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