Few human towers more fully embody this sentiment of fortitude and resilience than Ukrainian opera singer, entrepreneur, and Artistic Voices founder Tania Gold. On February 23, 2022, Gold boarded a Miami-bound plane from Dnipro, Ukraine, for a week-long vacation. Fourteen hours later, she deplaned to the news that Russia had invaded her country, effectively cutting her off from her home, her son and other family, life savings, and any sense of equilibrium. "There had been rumors and threats," Gold tells New Times, "but no one believed such a thing could actually happen in this day and age."
But happen it did. Gold found herself in Miami, shorn of all her worldly possessions, saving five hundred dollars and what fits in a single carry-on bag. A friend hosted her for a couple of weeks, and then, as Ukrainian resistance proved more tenacious and stalwart than anticipated, Gold turned to an organization that placed refugees with American families. Peter and Keren Rabbino, mostly empty nesters, took her in. "Everybody believed the war would be over in days," Gold says. "It was not. It still is not. So, I lived with them for eight months, and they became my second family. They are incredible, generous people."
As she worked through the refugee paperwork process, Gold began to rethink her life and priorities — and ways to help build communities like the one that had lifted her up at her darkest moment and shine a "spotlight on the rich cultural heritage and indomitable spirit of Ukraine."
And Gold, unshakeable as they come, surprised no one more than herself by once again finding her (operatic) voice.
At the age of 5, Gold began studying piano. She took to it quickly. Her teacher, in fact, wanted her to become a professional pianist, but Gold slowly discovered her true passion and power could be channeled up from the diaphragm and through a four-and-a-half octave voice. She eventually graduated from the Dnipro Conservatory with a master's in classical voice and balanced performing operas throughout Europe by teaching classical performance to children.
The life of an opera singer is a grind, however, and to do it at the highest levels can take its toll. Gold realized her perfectionism and the vagaries of her vocal health might signal a chapter closing. She switched gears, finding success in the world of IT and talent recruitment. (She also holds a master's in business and human resources.) When the war upended her life and location, she wondered if these two worlds could be combined.
First, she partnered with the famed microbiologist and philanthropist Porter Anderson Jr. to create ZirqArt, an online art marketplace designed to boost Ukrainian artists' financial and morale by distributing their work.
Fate — or perhaps a whispering Virgil — had a twist in store, however. As Gold became more involved in expatriate support for Ukraine, people became more aware of her background. Invitations to perform at Ukrainian concerts trickled in. Though initially reluctant, Gold relented. "I discovered my voice had just come back," she says. "My favorite part of my soul had come back."
This return took on a life of its own in Artistic Voices, an organization — in a full circle moment, cofounded and run with the assistance of both Anderson and Peter Rabbino — created to "spread voice and classical music, inspire," and "provide emotional healing and comfort for those facing physical, mental, or life challenges.""Not many people are aware of how amazing Ukrainian composers and music are. With Ukrainian songs, if it's a sad classical piece, you can't stop crying."
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On the heels of a successful concert at Manhattan's St. John's in the Village last month, Gold and Co. will bring their Ukrainian Concert to the Miami Beach Woman's Club on Wednesday, April 16. Billed as a "night of resilience, passion, and cultural pride," the concert will feature, among others, Ukrainian-American dramatic mezzo-soprano Galina Ivannikova, Ukrainian singer and actress Ludmila Fesenko, and classical-crossover violinist Siobhan Cronin who has performed with Trans-Siberian Orchestra; Michael Bublé; Sarah McLachlan; Rod Stewart; and Earth, Wind & Fire. The program will run the gamut of Ukrainian music, from classical operatic pieces to folk, and Gold is quick to point out that the vibe will be open, not stuffy.
"Not many people are aware of how amazing Ukrainian composers and music are," Gold says. "With Ukrainian songs, if it's a sad classical piece, you can't stop crying. If it's a fun folk song, you can't stop laughing or dancing. If it's a romantic song, you will swoon. So, there is a lot of variety and contrast, but what brings it all together is that our music touches hearts, always." The show is one in a larger series, Gold notes. "Yes, in part because I'm Ukrainian," she says. "But primarily because it's beautiful music and something new for Americans who have never experienced it."
These public concerts create resources for private "healing concerts" that bring transcendent, therapeutic experiences to the poor, the elderly, the infirm, and people with emotional or developmental disabilities. "It's about hope, always," Gold says. "Hope for Ukraine, yes, but hope for others as well. The power of music is huge. We've had concerts for Alzheimer's patients who can barely move or respond to anyone, and by the middle of the concert, they start to move their fingers and express emotions. It's very moving."
To Gold, there is no better home for Artistic Voices than her adopted city.
"Miami is a healing city," she says. "No matter your challenges or the bad things that happen in the world, when you wake up and look out your window here, you see a kind of paradise that is possible — from the incredible blue skies and water to the beautiful buildings and smiling, friendly people — and you feel much better. There is so much opportunity here and so many different people coming together. I love it, and I want Ukraine to be part of that story. At the same time, living in the United States was always a dream to me — and it has come true. Now I do what I love most: bringing music and healing to people."
The tower remains firmly set.
Artistic Voices Presents Concert of Ukrainian Music. With Galina Ivannikova, Gennadiy Vysotskiy, Ludmila Fesenko, Kamil Pacholec, Tania Gold, and Siobhan Cronin. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the Miami Beach Woman's Club, 2401 Pine Tree Dr., Miami Beach; artistic-voices.com. Tickets cost $35 to $50 via eventbrite.com.
