Valentyna Levchenko
Valya Levchenko is a Ukrainian vocalist, composer, and cultural leader bridging ancestral music with contemporary healing practices. She founded Spiv Ukraine, a community choir serving 100+ weekly participants in war-affected Kyiv, and co-founded the Forum of Contemporary Music Pedagogy, training 50+ educators in trauma-informed approaches. Her albums Zitkani and Vidghomony Stepu reimagine traditional Ukrainian music for global audiences. With an MA in Psychology and training with Bobby McFerrin and Rhiannon, Valya combines vocal improvisation, folklore preservation, and community facilitation. She leads international retreats, collaborates across continents, and partners with Ukrainian Cultural Military Forces on veteran rehabilitation programs.
“Being selected for Keychange marks a shift into intentional leadership after years of intuitive growth. The programme will help me turn lived experience into strategy, sustaining my artistic practice internationally while contributing to Ukraine’s rebuilding music sector. I look to cross-cultural collaboration, expanding my understanding of cultural diplomacy and resilient business models. I aim to return with tools to mentor women artists, reflecting Keychange’s values of care, equity, and representation in contexts where culture”