MAR'YANA SYWAK

Mar’yana Sywak is a distinguished Ukrainian-Australian artist – violinist, singer, actress, and performer – whose artistry seamlessly bridges cultures and genres. Beginning her musical journey at the age of five in Ukraine with piano and violin, she quickly established herself as a gifted young performer, appearing as a soloist in Ukraine, Poland, and Italy.

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During her teenage years, Mar’yana trained at an Opera Studio, receiving professional voice and acting coaching, and was awarded the Grand Prix at the Ukrainian National Variety Performance Competition. She soon became recognised both as a vocalist and a multi-instrumentalist, captivating audiences with her versatility and charisma.

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Ukrainian audiences first embraced Mar’yana as a violinist and singer of Kyiv’s legendary rock band Nebesna Kopalyna, a group acclaimed as one of Ukraine’s finest in the Encyclopedia of Rock. After completing advanced studies in Violin Performance and Music Theatre, she relocated to Australia, where she performs with leading ensembles including the Sydney World Music Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Metropolitan Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Contemporary Orchestra, and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.

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Her stage career highlights include embodying the legendary French chanteuse Édith Piaf in the acclaimed Ukrainian musical “Édith Piaf. Life in Credit” (2019, 2021).

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In 2016, Mar’yana founded Jaga Band – a multicultural ensemble blending virtuosic Ukrainian melodies with world music traditions. Under her leadership, the group has flourished into a highly regarded collective, appearing at prestigious events such as the Australian National Multicultural Festival (Canberra), Sydney Folk Festival, Spirit of Woodstock (Italy), Illawarra Folk Festival, Pearls of the Season Festival (Ukraine), Ukifest at Darling Harbour, International Accordion Festival, and Eurofest, among many others.

Since 2023, Mar’yana has collaborated with Kyiv-based composer and producer Mykola Pavlov, introducing a fresh electro-folk dimension to her music. She has also performed alongside renowned international artists, including Eurovision winner Jamala (Ukraine), Julia Sanina, The Hardkiss (Ukraine), and The Bluesberries (Australia).

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With her rich cultural background, extraordinary talent, and creative vision, Mar’yana Sywak continues to inspire audiences worldwide, redefining boundaries between folk traditions, classical mastery, and contemporary performance.