“Do angels play banduras too?”: How a philharmonic studio in Zhytomyr unites professionals and amateurs

What is the problem?

Many Ukrainian cities lack practical creative studios where children and adults can explore art under the guidance of professional artists in an informal, accessible, yet structured environment. At the same time, many artists are seeking ways to earn additional income without abandoning their passion. This creates an opportunity for new and exciting initiatives that meet the needs of both groups.

What is the solution?

Last fall, the Zhytomyr Regional Philharmonic named after S. Richter launched a space where talented performers share their expertise, and local residents have the chance to learn from professionals and even take the stage themselves.

At the PHIL-ART studio, Philharmonic artists lead a variety of master classes for both children and adults — including singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, and drawing.

How does it work?

The main activities of the Zhytomyr Philharmonic, like many similar institutions, include providing music education and organizing concerts and festivals. Even during the war, its artists continue to actively collaborate with colleagues from other musical and cultural institutions in Zhytomyr and across Ukraine. The recently established PHIL-ART studio, which operates on a self-financing basis, has officially become part of the Philharmonic's structure.

According to Nina Riabenko, Deputy General Director of the Zhytomyr Regional Philharmonic, the idea for PHIL-ART—which stands for "philharmonic art"—was initiated by the then-General Director Tetiana Rudenka. She now leads the Department of Culture and Tourism at the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration and continues to support the studio.

"Our goal is to make art education more accessible, to help people find themselves through creativity, feel inspired, and become part of our city's cultural life," says Riabenko.

The Philharmonic sees this as a unique opportunity for children to nurture their talents, imagination, and artistic expression. For adults, it offers a chance to rediscover themselves, immerse in the world of art, and experience the joy of creativity.

The PHIL-ART studio is open to everyone. Classes are offered for children starting at age 5 in folk choreography, and from age 7 in other artistic disciplines. Adults are also welcome, as Riabenko emphasizes—art knows no age limits.

Bringing together professionals and amateurs who seek self-expression through music, theater, and other art forms, the Philharmonic offers a wide range of creative classes.

To give everyone a chance to explore different artistic paths, a series of free workshops is also being launched. No prior experience is needed—PHIL-ART instructors welcome learners of all levels. The studio offers a variety of formats, including lectures, hands-on workshops, interactive sessions, and performances.

The studio offers classes in a variety of disciplines:

• Folk choreography – led by Svitlana Tsyplitska, ballet master of the Zhytomyr Regional Philharmonic
• Drawing – taught by Liudmila Saiko
• Vocals and bandura – led by Philharmonic artist Svitlana Nikonorova
• Choral art – conducted by Maksym Gladun, director of the "Lionok" choir
• Guitar and piano – taught by Philharmonic musicians
• Stage art – led by Honored Artist of Ukraine Kateryna Streltsova.

"What sets PHIL-ART apart from other art studios is its hands-on approach and live instruction from professional artists," says Riabenko. "Here, we don't just teach techniques—we help participants truly experience art through the creative process. By combining classical and modern teaching methods, we aim to uncover each individual's uniqueness—and even create real stars!"

Does it really work?

According to Riabenko, one of the most popular offerings at the studio is the choral art master class. Here, children learn the fundamentals of choral singing, receive professional guidance, and even have the opportunity to join the legendary children's choir "Lionochok." Vocal training, folk choreography, and drawing classes are also in high demand.

"It's incredible! The children enthusiastically created their first masterpieces—bright colors, creative ideas, and a wave of positivity. It all created a truly inspiring atmosphere," shared parents after a drawing master class with Philharmonic instructor Liudmila Saiko.

Meanwhile, the "Vocals and Playing the Bandura" master class, held in the format of a game-dialogue, gives participants a chance to receive vocal coaching from professional singer Svitlana Nikonorova while discovering the art of playing the bandura—a unique Ukrainian instrument. Each participant gets to step into the shoes of a Philharmonic artist, making the experience all the more exciting.

"It's interesting to see both adults and very young children attend," shares Philharmonic artist Nikonorova. "Older children come to decide whether they want to pursue bandura and vocal lessons, while the younger ones are simply thrilled—unanimously saying they want to learn to play the bandura."

Nikonorova believes there's no need to force children to learn—curiosity comes naturally. The teacher's role, she says, is to spark that curiosity through engaging games and help children explore the instrument while answering their questions.

One of her personal teaching approaches is simple but powerful: she encourages students to "do anything with the instrument, but do it with love."

"Children feel like creators, and this is the most important thing. Each of them is not just a performer, but also a creator. My mission is to teach them to create and to give themselves permission to go beyond established rules," says the teacher.

Nikonorova also teaches young children to improvise and make music based on their own emotions. In her view, this is something often overlooked in traditional academic education, where creativity is too often skipped over. She believes that in order to teach a child to play an instrument, you must first teach them to "speak" its musical language—only then can something truly unique emerge.

"In addition to improvisation, we draw on Ukrainian songs, which live deep in the subconscious of every Ukrainian. And the most beautiful thing is that even at just 3 to 5 years old, children sing them boldly, without hesitation or self-consciousness," says Nikonorova.

The studio notes that more than 50 children attended the first master classes, and many of them have since enrolled in regular sessions. In fact, by January, studio students were already taking part in Philharmonic concerts—they performed alongside the academic folk music ensemble "Vizerunok." For the children, it was a thrilling opportunity to feel like true artists on stage with professional performers.

Even more useful solutions!

"We want not only to teach but also to showcase art," says Riabenko. The studio plans to organize exhibitions, creative evenings, and concerts featuring its students. Additionally, PHIL-ART is exploring the possibility of adapting its classes for children with special educational needs.

Art helps to shape aesthetic taste, fosters creative thinking, and opens up new opportunities. As educators point out, children exposed to art from an early age tend to grow into open, confident, and well-rounded individuals. This also has a positive impact on families: parents become more engaged with culture, attending concerts and exhibitions with their children, and discovering new experiences for themselves.

"Our participants not only develop artistic skills but also learn self-expression, communication, and teamwork," notes Riabenko. "Participation in the creative process helps children overcome stage fright, social anxiety, and self-doubt. We've already seen children who were initially afraid to perform begin singing or dancing freely and joyfully after just a few classes!"

Nikonorova shares her observations:

"Through song and music, I can see a child's psychological state—whether they have any complexes, if they feel free or oppressed, or whether they possess complete freedom of thought and action. Children are incredibly sincere and truthful. They trust you if you're honest with them. I'm always happy when, after classes, children share their deepest feelings with me and talk about their personal achievements."

The musician herself views music as a tool for self-discovery, deepening understanding, meditation, and purification. She believes that it's no coincidence that our ancestors expressed everything through song. With music and song, joy becomes more vivid, and it's easier to navigate grief. These words are not just theoretical—one of the types of classes she conducts, as a volunteer, with military personnel and internally displaced persons (IDPs) is vocal therapy. From her experience, she shares that this approach works not only with children but with people of all ages.

In her view, in these turbulent times of Ukrainian history, music provides a way to disconnect from the chaos and discover new abilities and talents within ourselves. The more people engage with this art, the more healthy and fulfilled souls they will have.

"I don't remember any adult or child leaving my master classes without feeling a sense of gratitude. Usually, adults have tears rolling down their cheeks (I think it's a form of emotional release and purification), but a warm smile appears on their lips. Children, on the other hand, often amaze me with their mature expressions and special conversations after class. I remember one child asking, 'Do angels also play the bandura?' And their mother answered, 'Yes!'"