Bandura on Bloor - Georgiy Matviyiv (ft. Ron Demeda)

Event Description

Bandura on Bloor opens its 2026/27 Concert Series with a jazzy evening of instrumental bandura music featuring renowned bandura virtuoso Georgiy Matviyiv, with an opening performance from Toronto's own Ron Demeda!

Presented by the Toronto Bandura Festival, Bandura on Bloor is a musical concert series in Toronto showcasing solo bandura performers, small ensembles, and bands featuring the bandura. Join us for this delightful opportunity to spend your Friday evening with the magical sounds of the bandura in downtown Toronto!

This performance will be followed by a post-concert reception for all the guests and performers.

All net proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch.

Friday, October 23, 2026
7:30 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)
SVI Theatre
620 Spadina Avenue, Toronto

Performers

Georgiy Matviyiv
Georgiy Matviyiv is a professional bandurist, virtuoso, composer, and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Art (Bandura), laureate of international competitions, and inventor of the latest methods of playing the bandura. Soloist of the Ukrainian National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments (NAONI) in Kyiv, Ukraine from 2018 to 2023. Soloist of the Ensemble of Ukrainian Music, Song and Dance “Chaika” at the Odesa Philharmonic Theatre in Odesa, Ukraine from 2006 to 2018. In 2012, Georgiy became the first and so far the only participant from Ukraine in the “European Jazz Orchestra 2012” – an international project by the founders of the Eurovision Song Contest where musicians were selected according to the principle of “one musician from one European country”. Has performed at EXPO 2020 Dubai, Palace “Ukraine”, National Opera of Ukraine, & National Philharmonic of Ukraine, and at over 500 concerts as a soloist and ensemble member from 2007-2023. Bandura instructor at the Odesa Conservatory from 2011 to 2018. An author of scholarly articles. In 2021, he defended his candidate’s thesis and received a Doctorate in Art Criticism for Bandura from the Odesa Conservatory. Recipient of a Grant of the President of Ukraine (2021) for the creation and implementation of the creative project “Bandura in Jazz”. Winner of more than 30 academic and bandura competitions and festivals.

Ron Demeda
Ron Demeda is a long-standing bandurist, instrumentalist, and instructor of bandura in the Toronto area. An accomplished bandura soloist, Ron has performed at countless concert events in the Toronto area, across Southern Ontario, New York, Vegreville, Alberta, and at the Chervona Ruta festival in Ukraine. For many years, Ron performed at Toronto’s International Caravan Festival’s Odesa, Kyiv, and Kolomyia pavilions, and also as a regular at the Ukrainian Caravan Restaurant in Toronto. Ron is currently the Concertmaster of the Canadian Bandurist Capella in Toronto, performing with them regularly at concerts in the Toronto area, around Ontario, and most recently on their 25th Anniversary concert tour of Eastern Canada. He also scores musical arrangements for many of their songs. Ron is also the Musical Director and instructor of the St. Demetrius Bandura School in Etobicoke, providing lessons to students of all ages since 1983. Ron has also led bandura lessons at the St. Volodymyr Institute in Toronto (1989-1994), St. Sophia in Mississauga (1989-1990), as well as the UNO West Ridna Shkola in Toronto (1989-1991). He has performed as a member of the St. Demetrius Bandura Ensemble, the Barvinok Bandura Ensemble under Mr. Petro Boris, the Hnat Khotkevych Bandurists’ Ensemble and Bandura Quartet under director Walentyna Rodak, and since 2022 as a member of the Canadian Bandurist Capella. In addition to being an accomplished bandurist, Ron is also a proficient tsymbalyst, accordionist, and singer as a member of the St. Demetrius Quartet.

Tickets
Early Bird (Until October 9): $25.00 (+fees)
Regular (After October 9): $35.00 (+fees)
Seniors (After October 9): $30.00 (+fees)
Under 30 (After October 9): $30.00 (+fees)
Under 12: Free (Reservation Required)

For tickets, visit:
https://www.showpass.com/bandura-on-bloor-6 

Currently, we are also selling season tickets for the 2026/27 Bandura on Bloor Concert Series that will feature four concerts. Season tickets allow you to attend multiple shows with substantial savings!
For more information on 2026/27 season tickets, please visit:
https://torontobandurafestival.ca/events/bandura-on-bloor 

The Toronto Bandura Festival (TBF), established in December 2024, is a music festival devoted to growing the reputation and popularity of the bandura, supporting the development of talented bandurists, and promoting Ukrainian music, culture and identity in the Greater Toronto Area through the medium of bandura art.

For more information about the Toronto Bandura Festival, visit:
https://torontobandurafestival.ca/ 
or call (416) 845-2691
or email torontobandurafestival@gmail.com