Peter Deriashnyj (born 2 July 1946 in Calden, Germany) is a Ukrainian Australian bandurist, composer of secular and sacred music, and choral conductor. He specializes in the Kharkiv style of bandura playing, but also plays folk and rock guitar. Deriashnyj grew up in Newcastle, New South Wales and moved to Sydney to further his professional career and musical education. He studied music theory, composition and voice in Sydney and later became conductor of the Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble (1972–), the Boyan Ukrainian Choir (1982–1996), the Suzwittia Women's Ensemble (1986–1991), the Strathfield Orthodox Parish choir (1980–2007); and musical director and conductor of the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble (1984–2000). Early life Kharkiv style bandurist Deriashnyj was born in Calden, Germany in 1946. He emigrated to Australia with his parents, Fedir and Maria and sister Lidia. In November 1950 they arrived in Melbourne on the passenger liner Goya initially living in migrant camps in Bonegilla and Nelson Bay before settling in Newcastle, New South Wales. After completing his education in Newcastle he moved to Sydney in 1966 to pursue studies in electrical engineering at the Sydney Institute of Technology graduating in 1972, also formal musical studies in classical guitar, music theory, composition and voice. At age 10, Deriashnyj began to learn to play the bandura from his father, a known performer on and maker of banduras Fedir Deriashnyj. At age 17 he began to study guitar. Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble In July 1968 he began to study the Kharkiv style of bandura from Hryhory Bazhul who in the early 1930s in Ukraine had studied bandura under Hnat Khotkevych. In 1969 he wrote his first composition for the bandura "Krai Kozachiy", followed by "Zaspivayu" to the words by Taras Shevchenko, and "Slava Otamanu". He also began to write arrangements of traditional songs for the Kharkiv style bandura. He gave up guitar for bandura, and in 1971 he became the artistic director of a small group of young bandurists originally formed by Hryhory Bazhul, the Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble of Sydney. Under Deriashnyj's direction the group expanded in numbers and included choral vocals in their performances. Their first solo concert took place in 1969 in Wollongong, dedicated to the Ukrainian bard Taras Shevchenko. In 1971 he also formed the Sydney School of Bandura to introduce the younger generation to the art of this instrument. Students of the School of Bandura were able to