Yass Music Club presents Larissa Kovalchuk & Anna Dove in the Yass Memorial Hall on Sunday 16th August 2026 at 2.00pm.
You will be captivated by Ukrainian-born Larissa Kovalchuk’s extraordinary soprano voice, paired with the delicate melodies of the bandura. She is a musician keeping the traditions of the bandura alive today and holds a Master of Performance from the Kyiv Conservatorium of Music and a Master of Teaching from the University of Sydney. A National Laureate in Performing Arts of Ukraine (1993), she has performed internationally across Europe and throughout Australia, including at the Sydney Opera House, for Musica Viva, at the National Folk Festival, and as a soloist with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. In 2024, she appeared on Channel 7’s The Voice. In addition to her vibrant performing career. She now balances her time between performing and teaching at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music where she is now the leading vocal teacher.
Larissa is an acclaimed bandura virtuoso whose expressive artistry has captivated audiences across Ukraine, Western Europe, and Australia. Known for her unique fusion of classical voice and Ukrainian bandura, Larissa brings emotional depth, technical brilliance, and cultural storytelling to every performance.
Anna Dove is a distinguished Ukrainian pianist and educator whose artistry combines technical mastery with expressive depth. Born in Kyiv, she began her musical journey at the Kyiv Specialized Secondary Boarding School, majoring in piano studies, before graduating from the National Music Academy of Ukraine. Since 2005, Anna has balanced a vibrant performing and teaching career. She was a regular performer at the celebrated musical evenings of the National Sanctuary Sophia. After fleeing Ukraine with her young son following the Russian invasion, Anna has found refuge in Sydney, where she continues to share her musical gift and dedication to the piano with the Australian community.
The bandura is a Ukrainian folk instrument that has historically been supressed by Russian colonial powers. Seen as an ideological threat, bandura players were targeted for mass executions under the Soviet Union. The instrument is considered to be one of Ukraine’s National Treasures and stands as a powerful symbol of Ukrainian identity and cultural heritage. Its origins can be traced back to the 6th century, with early references in Greek chronicles describing a lute-like instrument played by warriors in camps and on battlefields. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, blind traveling musicians known as kobzars roamed through Ukrainian towns and villages. They played the bandura while singing epic tales of the Kozaks (Ukrainian warriors), folk ballads, and religious psalms. These kobzars often played a significant role in preserving Ukraine’s oral traditions and fostering a sense of national identity during periods of foreign domination. The bandura’s sound is unique, blending the tonal qualities of the harp and harpsichord. Its strings are plucked with the fingertips, creating a resonant and expressive voice well-suited for both solo performances and ensemble work. In traditional Ukrainian music, the bandura often accompanies vocals, but it is equally capable of performing complex instrumental compositions.
The concert program includes both traditional Ukrainian folk music and arrangements from the classical repertoire. Larissa is accompanied by Anna on the beautiful Steinway grand piano.
Yass Music Club’s fourth concert in our 2026 series will be held at the Memorial Hall on Sunday 16th August at 2.00pm. Come along and enjoy an afternoon of fine music, only 45 minutes’ drive from the centre of Canberra. Yass Music Club’s famous and delicious afternoon tea, provided by our Hospital Auxiliary, will be served during the interval.
Tickets for non-members will be available at the door. Entry fee for non-members is $50 and $45 concessions. For more information go to www.yassmusicclub.com
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