Teachers
Anna SagalovaPiano Teacher, Director & Founder
Anna Sagalova is an internationally recognised Ukrainian pianist and accomplished music educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience, director and founder of Ukrainian Music Academy. She holds a PhD in Art from the Kharkiv I. P. Kotlyarevsky National University of Arts and completed postgraduate studies with Professor G. Otto at the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, Germany.
As a concert pianist, Anna is a laureate of numerous national and international music competitions in Canada, Italy, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Canada, and Germany. She has performed extensively as a soloist and with symphony orchestras throughout Canada, Ukraine, the United States, Switzerland, Great Britain, Austria, and beyond.
Alongside her performing career, Anna is deeply committed to music education. Over more than two decades of teaching, she has guided students of different ages and levels in developing strong technical foundations, musical expression, confidence, and an appreciation for classical music. Her students and graduates have become prize winners at Canadian, Ukrainian, and international music competitions.
At Ukrainian Music Academy, Anna brings together her extensive international performance experience and dedicated approach to teaching, helping each student develop their individual musical potential.
Svitlana PrysiazhnaVocal & Bandura Teacher, Director & Founder
Svitlana Prysiazhna is an accomplished Ukrainian vocalist, bandura performer, and music educator with extensive experience in both teaching and professional stage performance. She is a graduate of the Kyiv National Music Academy of Ukraine, one of the country’s leading institutions for professional music education.
In Ukraine, Svitlana founded and directed her own vocal studio, where she worked with students of different ages and levels, helping them develop their voices, musical abilities, confidence, and individual artistic style. Today, she is delighted to continue sharing her passion for music with students in Canada.
Svitlana has developed her own vocal development program, combining healthy breathing and vocal technique with musical expression, performance skills, stage confidence, and creative freedom. Her approach creates a supportive and encouraging environment where students can discover their unique voice and grow as performers.
She teaches children, teenagers, and adults of all ages, personalising every lesson according to each student’s abilities, interests, musical style, and goals. Students can explore a diverse repertoire, including pop, contemporary, classical, and Ukrainian music, as well as songs in English, French, Spanish, and other languages.
Whether preparing for a performance or audition, developing professional vocal skills, or simply discovering the joy of singing, Svitlana helps each student progress at their own pace while building confidence and a lasting connection with music.
In addition to teaching, Svitlana continues to perform professionally as both a vocalist and bandura artist, bringing her real-world stage experience, musicianship, and passion for performance into every lesson.
Denys PanchenkoClassical Guitar & Music Theory Teacher
Denys Panchenko is an accomplished Ukrainian classical guitarist, composer, and music educator with extensive experience in performance, composition, and professional music education. He holds a Master’s Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Kharkiv National University of Arts.
During his studies, Denys participated in numerous international classical guitar and composition competitions, becoming a laureate of several competitions as both a performer and composer.
Denys brings more than 20 years of professional teaching experience to his students. For 21 years, he taught classical guitar at the Kharkiv College of Music, where he trained generations of young musicians. His students have become laureates of Ukrainian and international music competitions, with many continuing successful professional careers as music educators.
Today, Denys continues his career in Canada as a classical guitar teacher, concert guitarist, composer. His performance repertoire includes both classical works and his own original compositions. As a composer, he creates music in a wide variety of styles, with a particular focus on guitar, as well as music for film, television, digital media, and other creative projects.
As a teacher, Denys combines his extensive academic background, professional performance experience, and decades of teaching expertise to help students develop strong classical guitar technique, musical expression, and confidence as performers.
Olena GorenkoPiano Teacher
Olena Gorenko is an experienced Ukrainian pianist and music educator with more than 15 years of experience working with children.
She holds a degree in Music Pedagogy and Education from Kyiv Drahomanov National Pedagogical University with qualification as a Music Teacher. She also completed professional piano studies at V.S. Kosenko Zhytomyr Music College, earning qualifications as a Piano Teacher, Accompanist, and Ensemble Soloist.
Olena brings more than 15 years of experience in children’s music education. Throughout her career, she has helped young students develop piano skills, musicality, rhythm, ear training, confidence, and performance experience through an engaging and supportive approach. She has also prepared students for concerts, celebrations, and public performances.
Her extensive experience working with children has helped her develop a patient, encouraging, and flexible teaching style. She understands that every student learns differently and adapts her lessons to each child’s age, abilities, personality, and pace of learning.
Olena also has international performance and ensemble experience. In Turkey, she led a musical group, organized rehearsals, prepared repertoire, and participated in public performances, festivals, and international concerts.
As a piano teacher, Olena focuses on building strong musical fundamentals, including piano technique, rhythm, ear training, sight-reading, musical expression, and performance confidence, while creating a positive environment where students can enjoy learning and develop a lasting love of music.
Maryna PopovaViolin Teacher
Maryna Popova is an accomplished Ukrainian violinist and music educator with professional experience in teaching, orchestral performance, and chamber music. She graduated from the Kherson Music College and continued her studies at the Chișinău Conservatory.
In Ukraine, Maryna performed with the Kherson Chamber Orchestra “Hileya” and taught violin at a music school, helping students develop strong technical foundations, musicianship, and confidence in performance.
Since moving to Canada, Maryna has been actively involved in the musical and cultural life of the Ukrainian community. She is a second violinist with the Suzir’ya String Quartet and also performs with the Marygold Duo and the Ukrainian Orchestra.
Maryna regularly participates in concerts and cultural festivals, presenting Ukrainian, European classical, and contemporary music. Through both teaching and performance, she shares her professional experience and passion for music while helping students develop their skills, artistic expression, and appreciation for the violin.
Anna PidgornaMusic Composition, Theory & History of Music Teacher
Anna Pidgorna is an internationally recognised Ukrainian-Canadian composer, vocalist, and multidisciplinary artist whose work brings together contemporary classical music, Ukrainian musical traditions, voice, visual arts, and theatre. She holds a PhD in Music Composition from Princeton University, a Master of Music from the University of Calgary.
Anna’s compositions have been commissioned, performed, and recorded by prominent ensembles and presenters across Canada, the United States, and Europe. She represented Canada at the ISCM World New Music Days in Vienna in 2013 and Bucharest in 2026.
Ukrainian musical heritage plays an important role in Anna’s creative work. With support from the Canada Council for the Arts, she conducted field research in Ukraine, recording traditional folk singing and incorporating elements of Ukrainian melody, rhythm, vocal traditions, and poetry into her contemporary compositions.
As an educator, Anna brings her extensive academic and professional experience into the classroom, helping students explore music composition, history of music, creativity, musical language, and artistic expression while developing their own individual musical voice.
Anna Shylova-KolomietsChoir Teacher & Conductor
Anna Shylova-Kolomiets is an accomplished choir conductor, vocal teacher, and performing arts director with more than 20 years of experience in music education and stage production.
She holds a Master’s degree in Theatre Arts from Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts. Her advanced professional training encompasses choral conducting, vocal performance, and music education.
Throughout her career, Anna has led children’s and adult choirs, provided individual vocal instruction, directed musical productions, and organised numerous concerts and festivals. In Ukraine, she worked as a concert director at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and led the children’s vocal studio Veselka, preparing young performers for concerts and stage appearances.
In Canada, Anna conducts school choirs in Vancouver through VEMS and continues to provide private vocal instruction. She also served as a director for the opera project The Cellar, created by composer Anna Pidgorna and librettist Maria Reva.
Since 2011, she has worked in various roles across the film and advertising industries. Alongside this, Anna has continued to provide private vocal coaching to students of all ages and perform as a solo artist.