Ivan Homolsky, looking spiffy with his hair combed just so, blesses a very nicely dressed studio audience with his musical gifts. His arms wrap around a big instrument for a little guy, but he seems quite capable of squeezing his accordion and putting the chubby fingers of both his hands to work to create a lovely, melodic tune!
Dawn French is the host of the United Kingdom’s version of LBS, which first aired in the United States and was created by Ellen DeGeneres and Steve Harvey. During this particular clip, there are a couple of dapper chaps side stage. They nod and move with the music, and they are the ones that join Ivan at the conclusion of his performance. Ivan’s audience is perfectly silent and enamored with him as they, too, listen and gently bounce and sway to the music!
LBS is not a competition. It is a showcase for kids from all over the world to show their talents. Without judges, winners, or losers, those featured on the show are between 3 and 13 years of age. Some of the talents shared have been singing, dancing, cooking, martial arts, and more. And, Ivan could have demonstrated several!
While he plays the accordion here, he has been making music since he was three years old. In addition to the accordion, Ivan sings and plays the piano and guitar—super impressive for a little man of just seven! From Donetsk, Ukraine, Ivan finds himself playing on a show in the United Kingdom in front of a backdrop with Paris’s Eiffel Tower front and center. And Ivan has also played in Prague, Czech Republic. Big stuff!
The name Ivan means “God is gracious.” It’s the Russian or Slavic alternative to John in English or Juan in Spanish. While it may never be a super popular name because of that whole messy history with a certain Ivan that was kinda terrible, it works perfectly for this talented and handsome young man!
Keep making your music, Mr. Ivan! We love it!