Meet Anna
Anna Darmanska is an Atlanta-based flutist who has spent two decades on stages in more than twenty countries. She plays flute, Irish flute, and whistles for weddings, private celebrations, and corporate events.
“…her deep understanding and mastery of the Irish flute are truly impressive.”
Anna earned a Master’s degree with honors in flute, then spent years touring from Nepal and China to Norway and Spain. She is a laureate of several Ukrainian and International wind instrument competitions, including the First International Competition of the Playing on Wind Instruments in Poland in 2014.
“She came to Irish music with serious classical chops, and she has really done the work of listening to the tradition and making the tunes her own.”
Born in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, she began her first paid work at fifteen, in the city’s wind band and the folk orchestra. In her final year of high school, Anna went to see Swan Lake at the Kyiv Opera House. Halfway through the ballet, she caught herself focusing on every flute note rather than watching the dancers. Tears were running down her cheeks. She realized she couldn’t put the flute on a shelf and become anything other than a musician.
For the years that followed, Anna couldn’t put down her flute, practicing as much as she could. And she also found Celtic music, or rather it was Celtic music that found her. She took up Irish dancing after seeing Michael Flatley’s show, started playing Celtic music, and joined a touring band. After moving to the United States in 2019, Anna saw her favorite band, Lúnasa. She connected with the band’s flutist Kevin Crawford and studied Irish flute with him.
“Anna has played flute with me in a series of Irish music and Christmas concerts, is always prepared and on time, has great taste in selecting repertoire, and is fun and easy to work with.”
Daniel Hearn, singer-songwriter
These days Anna performs with Bella Isakova, The BorderCollies, and teaches at CMC Atlanta as well as at her private studio. She collaborates with musicians from other states and performs at Celtic festivals in the Southeast.
From Fellow Musicians
“Whether you’re playing a slow waltz, a driving reel, or a lively An Dro, Anna brings a deep understanding of Celtic music and a passion that will enrich any music setting.”
Colin E.
“Anna Darmanska’s Irish flute playing is absolutely electrifying — the kind of musicianship that stops you in your tracks. Pure, vibrant, and deeply felt.”
Diana, Director, Community Music Centers of Atlanta
“I happened on Anna and Kevin Crawford playing a tune together in a classroom at Swannanoa and was stunned. This musical pairing was pure magic. I had played with Anna in session but didn’t realize her command of the instrument. The combination of classical training and her love of Irish music produces something genuinely rare.”
Shawn Cayson
“She’ll play a phrase, show me where the swing is and where to breathe, and suddenly the tune becomes alive.”
Kateryna, tin whistle student
You just put the sheet music in front of her, and she plays it perfectly…”
Daniel Hearn, singer-songwriter,