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32 OUR LIFE • September-October 2023 Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America: On Stage at Last Uliana Leshchuk The enchanting sound of women’s voices and dulcet strings echoes through the cavernous space. As the music surrounds you, a link connects you to the an - cestors who sang these songs before you. It connects you to your heritage and history. The songs carry pain and suffering paired with triumph and perseverance. The sound of the bandura, the instrument that rus - sians feared but could not destroy, reminds and reas - sures you that Ukrainian victory is in sight. This is how I felt during my first performance with the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America (WBENA). I joined the ensemble in 2021, almost immediately after turning 16. During COVID, because of restric - tions, it was impossible to get our members together for a concert. Apart from a few rehearsals on Zoom, I was not able to get the full ensemble experience. As a bandurist, there is nothing quite like coming to - gether with 15 other players and being able to make beautiful music, singing and playing with one anoth - er. So, when I got the email that a concert was in the The Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America (WBENA), which the UNWLA supports with stipends, has been an important promoter of Ukrainian culture, with various concerts and fundraising events for Ukraine. Inspired by Ukraine’s rich musical traditions, the WBENA brings talented female bandurists from Canada and the U.S. together through regional ensembles to showcase the instrument and create new directions and artistry. This personal vignette of 18-year-old Uliana Leshchuk’s experiences in the ensemble illustrates the group’s powerful impact. — Oksana Piaseckyj, UNWLA Culture Chair works, I knew that no matter what else was going on in my life, I was going to make it to the rehearsal in Detroit and later the concert in Indianapolis. In late March 2023, the ensemble members met in Detroit. I, of course, practiced the songs on my own in preparation, but I knew something was not quite right. When we played those first chords together during re - hearsal, I realized what had been missing. The sound of the other women playing and singing encompasses you and floods the mind and soul with warmth and happiness. It’s truly difficult to describe how beautiful the music sounded together with the different bandu - ra and vocal parts in harmony. It was also wonderful to see friends and meet some new faces for the first time in person. It is not easy to get everyone together as we have members from many locations within the U.S. and Canada, including Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, and New Jersey. Some members were born in Ukraine while others were born in the U.S. or Canada, but it is the bandura and the music that bring us together. Photo: Irena Kuzma The WBENA and the Slavic Chorus during open rehearsal in the Alumni Hall at Indiana University.
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