He is a composer, singer, conductor, kobzar, bandura player, and pipers. Honored Artist of Ukraine (2021).
Biography.
He was born in Detroit, USA. He received his education in Montreal at the Conservatory of Concordia University (composition and vocals).
He learned to play the bandura from his father, Petro Kitastyi. In 1980, he became the artistic director of the New York School of Bandura, the Gomin Steps Ensemble, the New York Bandura Ensemble, and the avant-garde ensemble Experimental Bandura Trio.
Yulian Kitastyi's bandura playing can be heard in the movie The Guide (2013).
He has collaborated with Mariana Sadovska, Natalia Polovynka, Alexis Cohan, Wu Man, and Michael Alpert.
His students include Yuriy Fedynskyi, Mykhailo Andrets and Roman Turovskyi.
Awards and titles
Honored Artist of Ukraine (August 23, 2021) - for his significant personal contribution to the development of interstate cooperation, strengthening the international authority of Ukraine, and popularizing its historical and cultural heritage.
