Introduction. The prerequisites and the first steps towards the development of cimbalom performance in Kharkiv universities are shown in the historical aspect. The necessity of training the qualified specialists for teaching high-level musicians is revealed and the direction of development of the pedagogical process is justified. Objectives is to highlight the role of the class of cymbals KhNUА in the context of the formation and development of the Kharkiv cimbalom school since the last third of XX – early XXI centuries. Results and Discussion. Different sides of the development of the cymbal class of the Department of Folk Instruments of Ukraine of the I. Kotlyarevsky Kharkiv National University of Arts (KhNUA). The research and methodological principles, features of work on the original repertoire and fruitful cooperation with Kharkiv composers, forms of instrumental, performing professional training, participation in methodological seminars, practical classes in advanced training courses, concerts, festivals, competitions, conferences and projects of various levels are considered. Lists of students-laureates of competitions and names of all significant concert projects are given. Attention is drawn to the pedagogical sphere of activity as an integral part of creative work in music schools, as well as in higher educational institutions of the arts. This allows us to speak of the Kharkiv cimbalom school as of independent creative subject, which is distinguished by the originality of the repertoire, the search for new forms of expression, the use of non-traditional techniques of playing the instrument. According to the register, Kharkiv cimbalom school is the youngest, but at the same time one of the most progressive performing schools in Ukraine. Conclusions. It is shown that for thirty years of existence of the cimbalom class of KhNUA the idea of professional training at three educational levels – from music school to institution of higher education has been successfully realized. Many laureates of international, all-Ukrainian and regional competitions, festivals, graduates of the class are brought up. The high level of instrumental, performing, professional training is distinguished. At the same time, the development of the academic direction in performance on folk instruments, in particular on cimbalom, has significantly broaden the boundaries of the traditional folk instrumental genre. It is shown that the formation of the cymbal class in KhNUA during the 30 years of its existence completed the formation of the Kharkiv cimbalom school, and its future will be improved and filled with new victories and ideas at a new, more advanced level.