About
Ukraine-born, Toronto-based artist Nastasia Y blends jazz and funk with ancient Slavic folk, carrying a mission to sing to the world about Ukraine. Her music reflects her journey, from growing up in Kyiv to her late father’s folk/protest songs, to Canada’s jazz scene. A standout at the Toronto Jazz Festival, and a 2025 Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee for her latest album, ‘Kyiv Soul’, Nastasia channels ancestral voices to turn trauma into soulful resilience, opening hearts to global struggles.
Inspired by the Ukrainian word “dushevna” (meaning “soulful”), ‘Kyiv Soul’ explores themes of ancestral magic, love, and resistance. The album features Juno and Grammy award-nominated musicians, including Justin Gray, Marito Marques, Max Senitt, Andrew Stewart. ‘Kyiv Soul’ has received radio play across Canada and the globe; including features on CBC (As It Happens, Frequencies, Let’s Go) and has charted at #1 in Kamloops (CFBX) and #12 on World Music Charts Europe. Critics describe the album as “fragile and full of fire” (Music Frames) and praise Nastasia’s voice as “pitch-pure crystalline soprano with depth of passion” (The Whole Note).
Nastasia grew up surrounded by folk song—her father, Kost’ Yerofeyev, was the lead singer of Ruthenia, a band at the forefront of the Ukrainian independence movement in late 80’s Kyiv. After moving to Canada, she earned degrees in classical piano (Royal Conservatory of Music) and jazz piano (Humber College), inspired to study jazz after hearing a live Motown band. Initially releasing English-language music (as Stacey Y), Nastasia was moved to embrace and amplify her native culture after her father’s passing back home.
Through her love of exploration and collaboration, Nastasia has worked with celebrated artists including Elizabeth Shepherd, Michael Occhipinti, BLISK, Ahmed Moneka, JoSH, Kidd Rasta & the Peacemakers, Oleh Skrypka, KOZAK SYSTEM, and PROBASS ∆ HARDI. Her voice has also been featured on the famous award-winning TV show “Orphan Black”. Nastasia has had a chance to play music of many genres, from reggae to Bollywood, and has sung in many languages, from Arabic, to Bulgarian, Kazakh, to Korean, and more.
Through her art, Nastasia weaves folk tradition with a futuristic vision. Her music is rooted in the ancestral grief and wisdom of her past while embracing a modern inter-connected future.
PRAISE
“Rooted in ancestral sounds of Ukraine and guided by boundary-busting Toronto” – Jonathan Campbell (Small World Music)
“World fusion at its best” – WholeNote Magazine
“The face and voice of musicians defending Ukraine in Toronto”- Paul Corby (Corby’s Orbit)
“Dynamic, emotional, hip, stylish, sophisticated…” – Rik Emmett, Triumph
“Nastasia gives her heart and soul to what she does. It’s a pleasure to watch and listen.”– Howard Kerbel, CEO, TD Toronto Jazz Festival
“She brings communities together to learn from the pains of the past, allowing everyone in the room to address why we should live with peace and joy.”– Jim Creeggan, Barenaked Ladies
“In times of forever war, her music is medicine” – Marusya Bociurkiw, scholar
OTHER VENTURES
Apart from her artistic work, Nastasia is also the CEO, Founder & Owner of the entertainment company StereoFlavour, which has provided top-caliber live music & planning services for weddings & events since its inception in 2010. Nastasia and her team employ some of the most outstanding versatile musicians in Toronto.
Most up-to-date bios, photos, press, workshop offerings, and stage plot can be found below: