Zoloti Struny

Who We Are

Vira Zelinska Ukrainian Youth Bandura Capella “Zoloti Struny” (Golden Strings) is a Ukrainian youth ensemble made up of young musicians dedicated to playing the bandura – Ukraine’s national instrument. The capella has been in existence since the summer of 2001. Currently, the it consists of 25 students from Mississauga and Toronto. The organization is under the auspices of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mississauga.

Vira Zelinska – a renowned bandura teacher and a distinguished Performing Artist of Ukraine, founded Zoloti Struny and became its first director. After her passing in 2012, Vira’s daughter, Oksana Zelinska-Shevchuk took over the role of Artistic Director and Music Conductor.

Over the years, Zoloti Struny members have participated in hundreds of concerts locally and internationally. The Kiwanis Music Festival of Greater Toronto and the annual Ukrainian Music Festivals provide students with the opportunity to compete with fellow bandura enthusiasts in solo/duet/trio bandura categories. Over the years our students have received numerous scholarships and awards for their hard work and talent.

To date, Zoloti Struny have recorded and released three CDs and produced a documentary about its summer camps. In addition to practicing and performing throughout the year, the students also get a chance to further hone their musical skills through intensive workshops at our Litnia Zustrich Summer Bandura Camp.

Our Mission

The Zoloti Struny Bandura Capella was created to help the new generation of young Ukrainian-Canadians preserve and promote the wealth of Ukrainian culture among both Ukrainian and Anglophone communities. The capella aims to develop a love for bandura music among its members and audiences, by striving to achieve excellence in performance.