Christmas with Bandura in DAna Point, CA
On December 13, 2025, we were honored to return to Orange County (California) with our “Christmas with Bandura” charity concert as part of the BandurArts Benefit Christmas Holiday Tour.
Through the powerful and soulful sound of the bandura, the concert showcased beloved kolyadky and shchedrivky, festive arrangements, and contemporary interpretations to capture the true spirit of a Ukrainian Christmas.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the outstanding performers — Ostap Stakhiw, Ola Herasymenko, Solomia Stahiv, Lilia Tretyak, Sofia Ishchuk, Roman Ritachka, Olesia Ritachka, Marko Ritachka, and Luke Lashchuk Miller, Vasyl Stahiv, and Bohdana Stahiv — whose artistry and dedication made this concert evening truly unforgettable. We were also delighted to be joined by two young talented Yelyzaveta Pakholchuk and Anastasia Koval, whose beautifully performed carols added a special warmth to the evening.
We are especially grateful for partnership and collaboration with Ukrainians in Orange County and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, whose support and shared vision made this Christmas benefit concert possible.
Check out our concert video on BandurArts YouTube channel @BandurArts
Happy and Peaceful Holidays!
Performers / виконавці
Ostap Stakhiw | Остап Стахів
Ola Herasymenko | Ольга Герасименко
Ola Herasymenko | Ольга Герасименко
Ostap Stakhiw is a renowned Ukrainian bandurist and a National’s Artist of Ukraine. He began his professional career in the Lviv Philharmonic and the “Vatra” ensemble, and later as a founder and leader of the “Folklore Theater of Ostap Stakhiw.” Ostap Stakhiw is a respected educator and accomplished bandura and vocal performer. He creat
Ostap Stakhiw is a renowned Ukrainian bandurist and a National’s Artist of Ukraine. He began his professional career in the Lviv Philharmonic and the “Vatra” ensemble, and later as a founder and leader of the “Folklore Theater of Ostap Stakhiw.” Ostap Stakhiw is a respected educator and accomplished bandura and vocal performer. He created and presented original theatrical concert programs and toured widely across Ukraine, the United States, Canada and globally. His work has been featured in numerous films and video productions. Dedicated to preserving the art of the bandura and served as a jury member for festivals and competitions. Ostap Stakhiw is a medalist at the 2001 World Championship of Performing Arts and the founder of BandurArts.
Ola Herasymenko | Ольга Герасименко
Ola Herasymenko | Ольга Герасименко
Ola Herasymenko | Ольга Герасименко
Ola Herasymenko is renowned Ukrainian bandurist and a Merited Artist of Ukraine. The daughter of Vasyl Herasymenko, she graduated of the Lviv Conservatory, she performed as a member of a bandurist trio, creating several dozen arrangements later published in three collections in the United States. She worked as a senior lecturer and accomp
Ola Herasymenko is renowned Ukrainian bandurist and a Merited Artist of Ukraine. The daughter of Vasyl Herasymenko, she graduated of the Lviv Conservatory, she performed as a member of a bandurist trio, creating several dozen arrangements later published in three collections in the United States. She worked as a senior lecturer and accompanist for the folk instrument orchestra at the Lviv Conservatory and has continued her artistic work in the United States. In Northern California, she and her husband lead the Ukrainian Heritage Preservation Society, host a program on the Society’s Ukrainian Community Radio, founded a bandurist ensemble at the Ukrainian School in Sacramento, and directs the Ukrainian music ensemble “Elegiya.” Recorded several CDs and served as the editor-in-chief of the journal Bandura.
Solomia Stahiv | Соломія Стахів
Ola Herasymenko | Ольга Герасименко
Solomia Stahiv | Соломія Стахів
Solomia Stahiv is a Ukrainian musician and accomplished bandura player. She graduated from a bandura and piano program in Lviv, Ukraine and played in the National Bandura Ensemble “Zoryanytsia” under Honored Artist of Ukraine Zinovia Sychak. Now based in North America, she performs as a solo bandura artist throughout the United States an
Solomia Stahiv is a Ukrainian musician and accomplished bandura player. She graduated from a bandura and piano program in Lviv, Ukraine and played in the National Bandura Ensemble “Zoryanytsia” under Honored Artist of Ukraine Zinovia Sychak. Now based in North America, she performs as a solo bandura artist throughout the United States and Canada and is part of the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America (WBENA), sharing and promoting bandura music and Ukrainian culture. She is also an active member of BandurArts.
Lilia Tretyak | Лілія Третяк
Olesia Ritachka | Олеся Рiтачка
Roman Ritachka | Роман Рiтачка
Liliia Tretiak arrived in Sacramento in 2024 from the city of Chernivtsi. A top-category specialist and methodologist-instructor, she chaired the folk-instrument department committee and served as a jury member for numerous music competitions. She directed a bandurist ensemble, which represented bandura art in France as part of a delegat
Liliia Tretiak arrived in Sacramento in 2024 from the city of Chernivtsi. A top-category specialist and methodologist-instructor, she chaired the folk-instrument department committee and served as a jury member for numerous music competitions. She directed a bandurist ensemble, which represented bandura art in France as part of a delegation of young artists and educators. She is a co-author of music collections and a compiler of educational-methodical manuals. She has been honored by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the National Kobzar Association of Ukraine, and is a laureate of the Kateryna Malyk Prize.
Roman Ritachka | Роман Рiтачка
Olesia Ritachka | Олеся Рiтачка
Roman Ritachka | Роман Рiтачка
Roman Ritachka was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and began playing the violin at the age of six. Among his teachers was Yaroslav Barnych, the composer of the well-known song Hutsulka Ksenia. Later, after moving to San Diego, he began studying bandura with Victor Kytasty and other bandura instructors.
Roman went on to serve as an instructor at
Roman Ritachka was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and began playing the violin at the age of six. Among his teachers was Yaroslav Barnych, the composer of the well-known song Hutsulka Ksenia. Later, after moving to San Diego, he began studying bandura with Victor Kytasty and other bandura instructors.
Roman went on to serve as an instructor at bandura camps in the United States and taught both private and group bandura lessons. He was also a member of the Ukrainian Bandurist Capella, with whom he toured throughout the United States and Canada. In 1988, he released his solo album Coloration of the Soul – Reflections on the Bandura.
Olesia Ritachka | Олеся Рiтачка
Olesia Ritachka | Олеся Рiтачка
Olesia Ritachka | Олеся Рiтачка
Olesia Ritachka was born in Lviv, where she completed seven years of study at Music School No. 1 with a focus on bandura. From a young age, she performed in school productions and bandura concerts, and later toured Germany with youth music groups. While studying pharmacy at the Medical University, she continued to play in the National b
Olesia Ritachka was born in Lviv, where she completed seven years of study at Music School No. 1 with a focus on bandura. From a young age, she performed in school productions and bandura concerts, and later toured Germany with youth music groups. While studying pharmacy at the Medical University, she continued to play in the National bandura ensemble Zoryanytsia at Lviv University, touring with the group throughout various European cities.
During one of the ensemble’s rehearsals, she met Roman Ritachka, and the two have been performing together with bandura across the United States ever since. They now live in Weaverville, California, and proudly advance bandura music in the community.
Luke Miller Lashchuk | Лyкa Миллер Лащук
Luke Miller Lashchuk | Лyкa Миллер Лащук
Luke Miller Lashchuk | Лyкa Миллер Лащук
Luke Lashchuk Miller is a second-generation Ukrainian American and began studying the bandura at age 13 under the late Andrij Kytasty of the renowned Kytasty family of bandurists. In 2003, he was invited to join the 107-year-old, NEA-honored Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. With the ensemble, he has toured Western Europe and North America, an
Luke Lashchuk Miller is a second-generation Ukrainian American and began studying the bandura at age 13 under the late Andrij Kytasty of the renowned Kytasty family of bandurists. In 2003, he was invited to join the 107-year-old, NEA-honored Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. With the ensemble, he has toured Western Europe and North America, and in 2018 returned to Ukraine for the Chorus’s 100th Anniversary Tour. Luke, his wife Olenka Kleban, and their two children remain active contributors to both the local and national Ukrainian arts community.
Sofia Ishchuk | Софія Іщук
Luke Miller Lashchuk | Лyкa Миллер Лащук
Luke Miller Lashchuk | Лyкa Миллер Лащук
Sofiya Ishchuk, originally from Kyiv, is a student at American River College. She is a graduate of both a music school and an art school. A talented bandura player, she passionately shares and promotes Ukrainian music throughout America
Marko Ritachka | Марко Рiтачка
Luke Miller Lashchuk | Лyкa Миллер Лащук
Marko Ritachka | Марко Рiтачка
Born in San Diego and raised in Weaverville, Marko Ritachka began playing the bandura at a young age, learning from his parents, Roman and Olesia. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, he performed at Ukrainian cultural events across the West Coast and beyond, as well as at local festivals and community venues. Now based in San Fra
Born in San Diego and raised in Weaverville, Marko Ritachka began playing the bandura at a young age, learning from his parents, Roman and Olesia. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, he performed at Ukrainian cultural events across the West Coast and beyond, as well as at local festivals and community venues. Now based in San Francisco, he continues to share Ukrainian music and dances with the Zolotiy Maky ensemble. Outside of music, Marko works as a software engineer. He is grateful for the chance to keep the bandura central in his life and to introduce its sound to new audiences. A
Anastasia Koval | Анастасія Коваль
Yelyzaveta Pakholchuk | Єлизавета Пахольчук
Yelyzaveta Pakholchuk | Єлизавета Пахольчук
Yelyzaveta Pakholchuk | Єлизавета Пахольчук
Yelyzaveta Pakholchuk | Єлизавета Пахольчук
Yelyzaveta Pakholchuk | Єлизавета Пахольчук
Sofia Pogodaeva | Софія Погодаєва
Yelyzaveta Pakholchuk | Єлизавета Пахольчук
Sofia Pogodaeva | Софія Погодаєва
Partners | ПАРТНЕРИ
BANDURARTS
We are BandurArts! Bandura is a unique Ukrainian musical instrument that is the heart of Ukrainian culture, heritage and its traditions. We advance bandura music and art through performance, composition, learning and advocacy, as well as empowerment of bandura players locally and abroad. BandurArts is a U.S.- based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for tax and donation purposes.
UKRAINIANS IN ORANGE COUNTY
As Ukrainians in Orange County, we support this community to help raise funds for Ukraine, unite and strengthen our community through cultural preservation, education, and outreach. Our organization is committed to supporting refugees and Ukrainian defenders through active volunteering and collaboration. UAOC is a U.S.- based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for tax and donation purposes.