Ensemble Cherubim chamber chorus

01/29/2026

A Ukrainian lullaby from our concert in LA at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral

Soloists TERYN KUZMA and MONTANA SMITH sing this lullaby from Ukraine. At its heart, this lullaby is about finding a place where we can sleep and perchance dream in safety.
We offer it as a song of hope for all children who are sleeping in the cold or in darkness tonight, especially this winter in Ukraine where so many are without heat or electricity.
https://youtu.be/H2W-OfhkQGA
Staying hopeful.

Ensemble Cherubim concert "Carols of Birds, Bells, and Peace from Ukraine"December 14, 2025St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Los Angeles.Translation belowSol...

01/02/2026

The year 2025 was a whirlwind for Ensemble Cherubim. Landmark concerts for Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall and at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in LA: Carols of Birds, Bells, and Peace from Ukraine. Here are some photos and a copy of our Zellerbach program booklet.
We hope to see you in the New Year. May the year be melodious, harmonious and bring peace.
https://calperformances.org/program-notes/2025-26/ensemble-cherubim-chamber-chorus/

12/18/2025

https://localnewsmatters.org/2025/12/10/ensemble-cherubim-sings-inspiring-ukrainian-carols-in-berkeley/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOwbspleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCbXNKTno3R1hUZUh1WWNWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnacnvEQ7tjGie33TOZVrSRDhwQSbwxobS1HtfeLoJ7TnmJcqC2jXiTxrxri_aem_Ppkw-0eJGP1JP2JBlfwZrQ

Marika Kuzma, director of the chamber choir Ensemble Cherubim, recalls that when she was a graduate student in the 1980s, her Aunt Slava gave her an

12/01/2025

Tune in to Marika's talk at Harvard on Ukrainian carols!
Wednesday Dec. 3 at 5-6:30 EDT.
Open to the public on site and Livestreamed
https://www.huri.harvard.edu/event/marika-kuzma-carols-birds-bells-sacred-hymns-from-ukraine

11/24/2025

HAVE A LITTLE LISTEN! a teaser clip of our singing.
🌠For tickets to our Berkeley concert on Dec. 13:
https://secure.calperformances.org/28745/28746
🌠For tickets to our LA Concert on Dec. 14: EnsemblecherubimLA.eventbrite.com

Esteemed choral director Marika Kuzma, a first generation Ukrainian American and professor emerita of music at UC Berkeley, returns to campus with her acclai...

11/08/2025

So proud to know the marvelous Iryna Aleksiychuk! Her piece Trisagion was part of a Philharmonie Berlin Concert last night and today. The Piedmont East Bay Children's Chorus will be singing her piece "Svitla Mama Mariya" in our concert on December 13th. A West Coast Premiere. Come hear her divine music!

11/04/2025

Tickets are selling for our Zellerbach Hall concert in Berkeley!
The prime seats are already selling out—claim your place at our epic concert.
You don't want to miss it! Побачимося на святковому концерті!

10/29/2025

Here's a quick video from Marika's visit to the Berkeley hills last month, when she offered a concert preview for friends.

10/21/2025

Dear friends,

I’m delighted to invite you to a very special evening “Carols of Birds, Bells, and Peace from Ukraine: Music for Celebration and Cultural Understanding”, happening on Tuesday, November 12 at 6 PM at the Redwood Library & Athenæum.

During this talk, I’ll share six Ukrainian carols, including the beloved “Carol of the Bells,” whose original version tells the story of a bird singing a song of gratitude (not bells, as many believe).
We’ll explore the stories behind each piece: their historical roots, the composers, the winter rituals, and how this music has been a source of hope and strength for Ukraine and its people.... and can be an inspiration for all of us in these troubling times.

I hope to see you there!
Marika

Ukraine’s abundant heritage of singing includes thousands of carols that stem from ancient culture that is nevertheless new to world audiences. In this evening gathering, Ukrainian-American conductor and scholar Marika Kuzma will offer the audience six varied and vibrant carols. She will include t...

10/14/2025

We have two AMAZING concerts coming up!
The first is in Berkeley, CA for Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall.
Dec. 13th at 2.
We'll be joined by the Piedmont East Bay Children's Chorus, actor L. Peter Callender, violinists Karen Bentley and Cookie Segelstein, and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.
Come to this celebration of Ukraine's little-known, colorful, soulful, carol-treasures!
(Concert in LA to immediately follow on Dec. 14 at 3. Stay tuned!)

Marika Kuzma brings her acclaimed Ensemble Cherubim and special guests for a program of traditional Ukrainian holiday songs.