Ukraine's first Ukrainian ska school — a new educational platform. 32 participants, 1-year programme. Start 1 September 2026.
Haydamaky announced on 18 January 2026 the founding of 'Ukrainian Ska School' — Ukraine's first specialized educational platform for training young ska/folk-rock performers. The school opens on 1 September 2026 in Kyiv at 12 Mykhaila Hrushevskoho Street (next to Kyiv Conservatory). This is a 1-year programme for 32 student-musicians aged 18-30, selected from 280 applications (from 14 Ukrainian regions). Didactic structure: 4 quarterly-semesters with focus: 1) Foundation of ska aesthetic (history, first ska bands in Britain); 2) Ukrainian fusion (how to integrate ska with Ukrainian folklore); 3) Live performance and stage; 4) Recording and production. Each of 32 students gets 4 individual + 2 group sessions per week. Teaching staff: 9 Haydamaky members (full current lineup), plus 4 invited foreign: 2 from Madness (UK, English ska veterans), 1 from Mighty Mighty Bosstones (USA, American ska), 1 from Polish Polska Ska. Graduation works — each of 32 students prepares a 6-minute solo track in their own ska-fusion style plus participation in two graduation concerts (1 with full Haydamaky lineup, 1 separate — students-only). Graduation concert runs at Kyiv Sports Palace in June 2027 (with optional large auditorium 8000 spectators). School budget — 4.8 million UAH (Ukrainian Cultural Foundation 50% + Haydamaky personal fees from European tour 50%). Education is free for Ukrainian students.
