Taisa Kulyk

Taisa Kulyk is a Philadelphia-based bandurist and vocalist. She is a member of the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America and teaches bandura both at Kobzarska Sich Bandura Camp and the Hryhory Kytasty School of Bandura. Her favourite genres to explore on the bandura are folk, jazz, and pop. Taisa strives to share the bandura with new audiences, so that more people can discover the bandura’s unique sound and its legacy as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience, resistance, and beauty.

Victor Mishalow

Victor Mishalow was born in Sydney, Australia and began studying bandura in 1970 under Peter Deriashnyj. In 1974, he studied with Hryhory Bazhul, a former student of Hnat Khotkevych (known as the “father of the modern concert bandura”). In 1978, Mishalow received a grant from the “Australia Arts Council” enabling him to continue his studies in North America with prominent emigre bandurists, including Peter Honchanenko, Peter Kytasty, Hryhory Kytasty, Leonid Haydamaka and Vasyl Yemetz. In 1979, Victor received a scholarship to attend the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Kyiv, where he studied with noted bandurist and professor Serhiy Bashtan. In Ukraine, he also studied with Heorhy Tkachenko, the last remaining bandurist to perform in the authentic kobzar tradition. Victor Mishalow holds a bachelor’s degree in Musicology and Ethnomusicology from the University of Sydney, a postgraduate diploma in Music Education, a Master’s in Performance from the Kyiv Conservatory, and a PhD from the Kharkiv Academy of Culture. In 1999, he received the title “Merited Artist of Ukraine” and, in 2009, became a Chevalier of the Order of Merit from the Ukrainian government. He has over 100 articles and publications to his credit. He has given recitals and has made appearances in North and South America, Europe and Australia. He has appeared as an instrumental soloist with the Tommy Teaco International Orchestra in Sydney, Orchestra Toronto, Counterpoint Symphony Orchestra, and various other performing ensembles. 

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Solomia Stakhiv

Solomia Stahiv is a Ukrainian musician and accomplished bandura player. A graduate of the bandura and piano program in Lviv, she began her musical journey at a young age, joining the National Bandura Ensemble “Zoryanytsia” under the direction of Honored Artist of Ukraine, Zinovia Sychak. Now based in North America, Solomia continues to share her passion for Ukrainian music as a member of the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America. She is also the co-founder of BandurArts, a charitable organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the art of bandura. Solomia actively performs across the United States and Ukraine, using the bandura to connect audiences with Ukrainian culture and heritage.