Profile of Kvitka Cisyk on Famous Like Me

Kvitka Cisyk (in Ukrainian Квітка Цісик, b. April 4, 1953 in Queens, New York, d. March 29, 1998 in New York City), soprano singer best known to the Ukrainian-speaking world for her two albums of Ukrainian folk songs, "Kvitka, Songs of Ukraine" and "Kvitka, Two Colors". Her name Kvitka is Ukrainian word, which means "flower".

To the English-speaking world she was known as Kacey (from her initials, K.C.), the voice behind commercial messages for products such as Coca-Cola, American Airlines, Mr. Pibbs, Sears, JC Penney, Safeway grocery stores and Starburst candies. She did a lot of work for Ford, and sang the slogan "Have you driven a Ford lately"? In the 1970s she also recorded two movie soundtracks, "You Light Up My Life" (1977 Oscar Winning song) and "The One and Only."

Her father, Wolodymyr Cisyk, a concert violinist and teacher, taught her to play the violin when she was 5 years old. Her greatest love was Ukrainian song, and in 1980 she recorded her first album, "Kvitka, Songs of Ukraine" which won top honors in the 1988 Ukrainian Music Awards. Her second album, "Kvitka, Two Colors", was dedicated to "the spirit of the Ukrainian soul, whose wings can never be broken." Today, songs from both albums can be heard on radio in Ukraine. Both albums where nominated for Grammy Award in 1990.

Both "Song of Ukraine" and "Two Colors" were family projects. Kvitka's husband, Ed Rakowicz, a recording engineer, produced them. Her sister, Maria Cisyk, a concert pianist and teacher, played piano for them. Her mother, Ivanna, made sure that Kvitka's Ukrainian pronunciation was perfect.

Albums

• Kvitka, Songs of Ukraine 1980
• Kvitka, Two Colors 1989

Participations

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