Ukrainian singer-songwriter Jerry Heil – born Yana Shemaieva – has built a career that spans viral hits, a bronze-place finish at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, major social music initiatives, and high-profile creative collaborations. Over the years, she has evolved into one of Ukraine’s most recognizable artists on the international stage and an increasingly visible cultural ambassador for the country. Kyiv Post presents an exclusive interview with the musician.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Kyiv Post: Your “Dzherelo” show at Kyiv’s Palace of Sports was described by many as one of the biggest cultural events of the season and one of the strongest live productions Ukraine has seen in years. At what point did you realize this was becoming something bigger than just a solo concert? Jerry Heil: I realized it during the very first call with [Ukrainian director, screenwriter, music video maker, and TV host] Alan [Badoev], when he described how he felt my music and artistic identity at this moment in time. I felt permission to embrace musical freedom and decided there absolutely had to be orchestral arrangements – the kind that make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a film or a theater performance the moment you close your eyes. Alan made sure audiences wouldn’t even need to close them. Then the puzzle kept expanding as more important figures from Ukraine’s contemporary arts scene joined the project – Ruslan Makhov, the FREEDOM ballet, the ballet led by Nastia Kharchenko, and the Presidential Orchestra, whose performance of the music we created together with my team was an incredible honor to hear. I still relive every stage of the preparation process every single day. It was unforgettable.