ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A talented violinist who studied in Rochester is back in his hometown in Ukraine.

The former Eastman School of Music student is now using his musical talents to help those trying to cope with the war Russia launched on their homeland of Ukraine.

What You Need To Know

  • On International Women’s Day Tuesday, a former Eastman School of Music student held a special concert for women and children who’ve become refugees of the war in Ukraine

  • Another performance that will help refugees in Kostia Lukyniuk’s hometown will take place next Tuesday, but this one in the other city he calls home, Rochester

  • All of the money collected from the fundraising event will go directly from the hands of those in Rochester into the hands of the people in Kostia's hometown in Ukraine who’ve been directly affected by the Russian invasion

Spectrum News 1 previously chronicled Kostia Lukyniuk and his brother Markiian when they were fleeing Kyiv as Russian soldiers were attacking the city, speaking to them as they waited in the dark, crowded train station there hoping for safe passage.  

The brothers made it to their hometown of Chernivtsi and are jumping right in to help.

“It's such an uncertain situation for everybody and I'm just trying to do my best to help," said Lukyniuk.

On International Women’s Day Tuesday, Kostia held a special concert for women and children who’ve become refugees of the war and who are now in Chernivtsi after being forced from their homes.

“It's International Women's Day and here in Ukraine, we always celebrate it,” Lukyniuk said. "So I want to make it nice for the women and all the kids who have been affected by this and just want to distract them from this.”

Children were seen laughing and dancing at the performance.

“It's very, very heartbreaking for me to see the kids, you know, who understand what a bomb means and the rocket and we'll go into a bunker means, you know,” Lukyniuk said. “So I just want to present a way to distract them from all of that for at least maybe a couple of hours, you know, and just do something nice for them.”

Another performance that will help refugees in Kostia’s hometown will take place next Tuesday, but this one in the other city he calls home, Rochester.

“Just please spread the word, please buy tickets," said Kostia’s good friend, Austin Turner.

Turner is helping to plan a concert fundraiser that will be held at Fatsos XL in Gates next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. There will be nine performers and a virtual live visit from Kostia.

“He’s been a huge inspiration for everyone in Rochester, in the Rochester community and over in Ukraine as well, especially in his hometown,” Turner said. “There’s refugees right there in his hometown. And he plays music, he inspires them and he tries to lift their spirits and to me that’s amazing.”

All of the money collected from the fundraising event will go directly from the hands of those in Rochester into the hands of the people in Lukyniuk's hometown in Ukraine who’ve been directly affected by the Russian invasion.

“I just want to say I love everybody in my Rochester family, everybody who's reaching out, and everybody who's supporting us,” Lukyniuk said. “You're very, very much appreciated. And this help, you know, I want to make sure that it reaches the people here in need.”

Tickets can be purchased through Fatsos' website or Facebook page or on Eventbrite called United with Ukraine.

Donations are accepted through the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union.