Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced since the invasion beginning February 24, 2022. Many of my friends and colleagues have asked how they can help those who are suffering absolute devastation during this terrible war on Ukraine. I hope to raise funds, especially for the young musicians who lost everything and are virtually homeless. They have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and, in many cases, their loved ones. My heart and prayers are with them, and now I want to do all that I can to help them survive.

I would like to introduce myself and to share with you a story about this fundraiser and why I have created it.

My name is Irena Portenko. I am a concert pianist, educator and a Director of International Festival “Music in the Alps” (www.musicinthealps.com)

Throughout my career, I have traveled extensively with solo, chamber music as well as with performances with orchestra.

In parallel, my teaching career has given me wonderful opportunities to meet new colleagues in many countries of the US, Europe and Asia. I especially cherish my encounters with young talented students during each of these trips.

After establishing “Music in the Alps”, I have gotten an opportunity to invite young performers from all over the world to present their concerts in Austria. I have also cherished a possibility to support young Ukrainian musicians. For example, in 2018, I have invited and fully supported 18 Ukrainian musicians to come to Austria for three week festival term to perform, to learn, to collaborate and to make lifelong friendships. 

These days, when the whole world is watching Ukraine’s fight for its freedom, my first and utmost desire is to help young musicians, whose lives came to halt.

I had been connected to each of these people before the war, but even more so since it started on February 24th, 2022. With your irreplaceable help, it will be my honor to keep their hopes alive. Believe me, they deserve it. They are tough, they are persistent, intelligent and incredibly compassionate. 

In spite of the war, they are keeping their personal and professional integrity, sharpening their skills and opening their minds towards new opportunities.

It was met with enthusiasm and full understanding about what needs to be done for them at this very moment. 

Among you, my team of supporters there are professional musicians, amateurs, people who just enjoy music or who study it either in depth or just are entering it’s beautiful world. 

Since starting this fundraiser, the interest to it has increased to the extent, that it reached the initial goal within short five days. The donations kept coming in even after achieving the goal, and it prompted me to increase the bar line to the next level. This might not be the final line, as I will happily expand a circle of recipients with the first opportunity.

Unlike in other circumstances, with this fundraiser supporters especially appreciate the fact, that all the proceeds go directly to the young musicians onto their accounts and they can use their resources right away. I am grateful for this opportunity and for GoFundMe to open this green light to better the lives of the Ukrainian musicians. 

While continuing working with the displaced Ukrainian musicians, I am working on bringing the young professional singers from Kyiv (Ukraine) to perform at Carnegie Hall. Once, standing on the stage of Carnegie Hall myself, I felt how this moment changed my life and perspective on everything I had done before and all I was going to do after. I would like to have these girls to travel to New York with purpose, bringing their culture of singing that stems from the long-time traditions and reaches to the modern audiences through the classical and folk repertoire. With many legendary performers filling in the space of Carnegie Hall with their magical sounds, the professional girls’ choir from Ukraine certainly have deserved to present their program there. Winning multiple professional choral competitions in Europe, it is time for them to showcase their talents and skills to the American audiences, meet their peers and music lovers who will appreciate not only their sound, but also their versatility as a group. Young musicians are like cultural ambassadors who are connecting times and spaces at the same time. While having this huge responsibility, they will carry it with pride and honor during their planned concerts.

Thank you fo joining me in our togetherness to make all possible efforts to slow down, and to eventually stop this unprovoked war against our beloved Ukraine.

P.S. The costs will cover a hall rental, promotion and marketing. Our main financial load will fall onto the traveling and accommodation (lodging and meals) costs (approximately 75,000). I am working on connecting to the families in New York area, that could host our group at their houses and apartments. Due to a nature of their performance as a group, they have to stay close together. I am also organizing additional concerts in the museums and churches in the tri-state area. I also need to make sure that they do some sightseeing and make friends with the local kids. Working on connecting to the local children’s choir(s) for them to possibly connect with our Ukrainian singers and see if they can connect and work out mutual plans.