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Olga Zaitseva-Herz is a scholar, educator, composer, and artist with a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the º£½ÇÉçÇø. Her dissertation studied the transcultural hybridity in the singing styles of Dr. Klymasz´s collection of Ukrainian-Canadian songs. Her interdisciplinary expertise furthermore spans music performance, sound design, musicology, and vocal pedagogy. She explores the intersections of music, culture, and community, with a focus on the sensory and contextual dimensions of music as a living practice.

Olga’s research includes studying Ukrainian-Canadian music and sharing her insights into research creation as a methodology for exploring folklore and Ukrainian ethnography. Her work bridges academic inquiry and artistic practice, offering innovative approaches to the study of cultural heritage.

With a global perspective shaped by her academic journey across Ukraine, Germany, Canada, and the United States, Olga has taught a diverse range of subjects, including Ethnomusicology, Musicology, Ukrainian Studies, and Vocal Performance. She fosters creativity and inclusivity in her teaching, encouraging students to connect with music as both an art form and a cultural expression.

As an artist, Olga applies sound to bring historical and social narratives to life, creating immersive projects that engage audiences with cultural heritage. Her work reflects a commitment to blending academic rigor with artistic expression, enriching the understanding of music as both a cultural and creative force. One of her recent works is the contemporary music piece "Bakhmut Rhapsody" which established her contemporary opera series "When the Sirens Sing,." This work combines ethnographic research and documentary materials of Russia´s current war on Ukraine. The first act of this opera project was premiered at the Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival in New York City in March 2024 and was recently awarded a grant from Timothy Snyder’s initiative, "Documenting Ukraine," by the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna.