bandurist

thumb|150px|Kharkiv bandurist H. Bazhul A bandurist () is a person who plays the Ruthenian plucked string instrument known as the bandura.

==Types of performers== There are a number of different types of bandurist who differ in their particular choice of instrument, the specific repertoire they play and manner in which they approach their vocation. Kobzari, who play authentic ethnographic instruments or copies. This group can also be further categorized into authentic, reproduction, and stage performers. Academic players, playing more sophisticated contemporary concert banduras. These performers have a tertiary education majoring in bandura performance and typically perform works by Western classical composers in addition to, or instead of, Ukrainian folk music. This category can be further divided into instrumentalists (who only perform instrumental works) and vocalists (who primarily use the bandura to accompany their voice). The most common academic bandurists play in the Kyiv academic style. There are also a number of Kharkiv style academic bandurists. So-called "Fakeloric" performers, who play stylized songs and repertoire on contemporary instruments. Often these performers refer to themselves as contemporary kobzars. Many contemporary blind bandurists can be placed into this category. Ensemble performers - performers who sing in a choir and accompany their choral performance with their own playing on the bandura.