Real name: Михайло Ковальчук

Mykhaylo Kovalchuk was a Ukrainian virtuoso classical guitarist (1963–2002). His only released albums, the cassette "Hidden by the Curtain" and the CD "Міко" featured his Flamenco guitar and Latin jazz compositions.

Mykhaylo Kovalchuk was born in Lvlv (Ukraine) on 3 July 1963. His father was born on the border between France and Spain, which is where Mykhaylo got his first influences from Latin forms of music. His first involvement with music began as a child studying violin. Mykhaylo didn't like the instrument and gave it up for playing the guitar. He was a self taught player and after seeing a concert of Paco de Lucia decided that the style of Flamenco was the direction he would take. His understanding and knowledge of Flamenco came strictly from listening to popular flamenco artists works since guitar teachers and other player in that style of music didn't exist in the country. His early performances were with Ukrainian bands playing progressive rock and Latin jazz but it wasn't fulfilling, so he broke into a solo career concentrating on original compositions. His performances took him to concerts and festivals all over Eastern Europe

Mykhaylo's first recordings "Hidden by the Curtain" on cassette was released in 1997 while he was touring in Prague. In the following year he had sold 7000 cassette tapes. After his return to Ukraine, Kyv's national TV studio produced a music video called "Wind under the sea" which was aired on all Ukrainian and Prague stations for 3 months. In Ukraine Mykhaylo was the only acoustic guitarist that wrote and performed music in this style. He spent approximately 6 months playing a duet with a flamingo dancer in a Latin club. Mikhailo also established his respect in front of other international guitarists by being a prizewinner of numerous festivals all over Europe.

In 1998 Mykhaylo had moved to Prague where he concentrated on writing new compositions and performing locally. He lived in Prague for 2 years and during those years Prague records were considering signing Mykhaylo to a record deal and as a result he recorded material for two new CDs. Due to unfortunate circumstances Mikhailo developed problems with his right hand after being attacked just before a festival and had to return home to Lviv where his hand was operated on three times.

For 2 years Mykhaylo could not play his instrument falling into a deep depression which led him to drinking. He started playing once more, playing at smaller venues, building up his hand to be able to perform for larger audiences in larger venues. Unfortunately Mykhaylo Kovalchuk never reached these goals and he died on 12 November 2002.

Mikhailo Kovalchuk once said: "This burning style full of fire and eruption is mine. It can also be melancholic, yet wildly lyrical. A fusion of psychological and flamenco entwined in thoughts, jazz and silence — though within the silence there is still such boldness".