The Toronto-based Canadian Bandurist Capella (CBC) (Ukrainian: Капеля Бандуристів Канади) is committed to advancing and exploring new possibilities with choral-bandura music, while honouring the instrument’s deep history. By expressing traditional music through modern, dynamic arrangements, the Canadian Bandurist Capella provides a unique listening experience that raises the profile of the bandura and Ukrainian song in the Ukrainian-Canadian community and beyond. Originally the group established in 2001 as the Toronto Bandurist Capella in Toronto, Ontario. The ensemble changed its trade name in 2004 and continues to perform as the Canadian Bandurist Capella.
The Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America (Ukrainian: Ансамбль Бандуристок Північної Америки) is a twenty-member bandura and vocal group, driven by their passion for the bandura and the Ukrainian musical tradition, maintaining important cultural motifs while expanding the instrument’s horizons. The WBE is composed of women from seven cities in North America, including Toronto, New York, and Chicago.
The Vira Zelinska Bandura Capella “Zoloti Struny” (translated as “Golden Strings”) is a Ukrainian youth ensemble based in the Greater Toronto Area, dedicated to performing on the bandura—the traditional national instrument of Ukraine. Founded in 2001 by acclaimed Ukrainian musician and educator Vira Zelinska, the group was established to preserve and promote Ukrainian musical heritage among young performers in the diaspora. The capella brings together talented students, typically from Toronto and Mississauga, and operates under the auspices of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. After Vira Zelinska’s passing, leadership of the ensemble was taken over in 2012 by her daughter, Oksana Zelinska-Shevchuk, an accomplished musician and educator who continues to guide the group’s artistic direction.
Sharing a foundation with the UBC of North America, the H. Maiboroda National Honored Bandurist Chorus of Ukraine (Національна заслужена капела бандуристів України імені Г. Майбороди) was formed from those musicians who did not emigrate after World War II. Recreated after the war under the direction of Oleksandr Minkivskyj, the ensemble is now the Ukrainian National Merited Kapella of Bandurists in honor of Hryhoriy Mayboroda. The UBC of North America presented a joint concert with the National Kapella in 2018, marking the 100th Anniversary of the first Kobzar Choir performance in Kyiv.
Visit the H.K. School of Bandura’s website for a list of Bandura schools and instructors throughout north america:
