Teachers
Olena Haviuk-Sheremet
piano
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeKY2w76uj02TzS0wUS7Cjw
Olena Haviuk-Sheremet graduated with Master's degree from Mykola Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy and received her Doctoral in Musical Arts from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Haviuk-Sheremet has performed as a soloist with an orchestra since she was just eight years old. She has also performed at numerous international festivals throughout Europe and the USA. At the age of 10, she won the first prize at the Vladimir Horowitz-Debut International Young Piano Competition (Kyiv, Ukraine) and since then she was a winner of numerous national and international competitions.
Haviuk-Sheremet participated in several masterclasses with many famous professors, and she also had a privilege to collaborate with the prominent concert violinist Midori Goto.
Since 2020 Haviuk-Sheremet is a member of the American College of Musicians. Each Year her students take part in Guild Auditions and receive certificates.
In 2021 she defended her monograph "Perspectives on Richard Strauss's Early Compositions for Solo Piano" and recorded a CD with the composer's early piano solo compositions.
Oksana Melen
piano, music theory
Oksana Melen has been teaching piano and music theory over 16 years. She holds Master's degree in Pedagogical Education.
Mrs. Melen started playing piano when she was 6 years old and since then she became passionate about music. Mrs. Melen graduated from Drohobytsk Pedagogical University (Ukraine) and dedicated herself to music teaching that brought her to students across Ukraine, Canada and the USA. Her students have successfully performed at numerous concert events and festivals.
In 2023 Oksana Melen joined the Sheremet School of Talents, where she teaches piano and music theory. She will be glad to see you at her group and individual lessons.
Roman Sheremet
accordion, guitar, drums
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-gh1sF9DwyUFjTo9Po9vGA
Roman Sheremet, born in Lviv, Ukraine, began studying accordion at the age of nine. Upon graduating from Lviv Musical College, where he studied accordion and conducting, he entered Lviv Music Academy, where he graduated with Master's Degree in Musical Arts. He also has Master's Degree in Musical Education from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
Since 2012 to 2017 Roman Sheremet was on a faculty at Lviv Music State School #8 and In 2016 he became Vice Principal of this school. During his teaching, Sheremet created an orchestra and an ensemble of folk instruments, which has won numerous regional and international competitions. In 2017, his ensemble participated in the talk show Ukraine Got Talent and recorded a CD with works arranged by the teacher. Students of Roman Sheremet have been winning top prizes at European competitions in Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Besides accordion, Sheremet is proficient in guitar and drums. In only three short years from 2014 to 2017 he achieved Upper (the highest level) category of teaching rank in Ukraine, which usually takes thirteen years to accomplish. The achievements of his students have contributed to the school's reputation as a distinguished learning center. Sheremet's leadership at this prestigious institution attests to his extraordinary ability in Music and Conducting.
Roman Sheremet has experience in organizing musical events, he also served as a jury member and a chairman of different musical festivals. He gave number of presentations and master classes for other teachers in Ukraine (Lviv, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk) and a lecture concert in Poland (Czhow) in 2017.
In August 2017 the musician moved from Lviv, Ukraine to Philadelphia. He continued to work and support remotely his ensemble "8++" in Lviv, Ukraine. Sheremet wrote the arrangements and worked with them virtually. After his departure, the ensemble continues to win top places nationally and abroad and remain active at the festivals and competitions.
In 2020 Roman Sheremet started teaching privately in Philadelphia and in 2022 he and his wife founded Sheremet School of Talents.
Nataliia Zakalavoice, oboe, sopilka
Nataliia Zakala is a Ukrainian singer, an oboist, and a dedicated voice and oboe teacher with over ten years of experience.
She graduated with master's degree in Musical Art from Stefanyk National University (Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine). She is also a graduate of Ludkevych Music College in oboe and voice performance (Lviv, Ukraine).
From 2010 to 2013 Nataliia Zakala has been working in a military orchestra as a soloist. She was an active performer at numerous festivals and competitions in Ukraine and Europe.
Since 2013 she has worked as a voice teacher and her students have been winners of various competitions. Many of them continued their studies in music colleges and universities.
In 2023 she joined our team at Sheremet School of Talents and will be glad to help you achieve your musical goals.
Jodie Barasatian
flute
Jodie Barasatian holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance where she was a student of Kazuo Tokito, piccoloist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. During her time at Boyer, she played flute and piccolo in the Temple University Symphony Orchestra as well as the Wind Symphony. She can be heard on the Temple University Wind Symphony album Wind Concerti performing alongside soloists from the Philadelphia Orchestra.
After her undergraduate studies, she went on to study dentistry at Temple and has graduated as a Doctor in Dental Medicine. Although she is a career dentist, Jodie continues to perform and is currently the principal flute of the Penn Med Symphony, performing two concerts a year alongside other medical professionals and students.
In the past, she has performed abroad in orchestral and opera music festivals in Ireland and Italy. She is also an alumna of the Settlement Music School chamber music program and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.
Azer Damirov
violin
The award-winning artist Dr. Azer Damirov has graced global stages with exceptional musical talent, featuring numerous recitals, solo performances with symphony orchestras, and chamber ensemble appearances in acclaimed venues. From Carnegie Hall (NYC) to the International Mugham Center of Azerbaijan (Baku), his artistry resonates in prestigious locations like the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center, the Kimmel Center, and the Walt Disney Hall.
Winner and finalist in esteemed competitions, including the Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition, Dr. Damirov's artistry exudes extraordinary expressiveness and a distinctive musical taste, creating performances that are both exhilarating and powerful. Holding a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance, Azer's musical journey began at eight, evolving through his formative years at the Musical College of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory under the guidance of renowned violinist Eduard Schmieder.
In addition to his stellar performance career, Azer dedicates over a decade to violin instruction, offering lessons in music schools and master classes. As Artist-in-Residence at Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University, he globally mentors talented students, emphasizing a personalized approach. Azer's passion for education seamlessly complements his musical prowess, establishing him as a well-rounded figure in the realm of music.
Dennis Shalimov
trumpet
Dennis Shalimov is a music education student. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education/Jazz with a concentration in Trumpet at Temple University, with an expected graduation date of May 2028 and a GPA of 3.43.
Dennis has experience as a member of the Bravo Brass ensemble at the PYO Music Institute, where he played the trumpet and flugelhorn from Fall 2021 to Spring 2023. He has performed at prestigious venues such as the Kimmel Center and various churches in Philadelphia and New Jersey, working with Paul Bryan, an esteemed conductor, educator, and trombonist.
Dennis has been involved with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), performing in both wind band and orchestral settings across various Pennsylvania schools. His experience includes working with conductors and professors from notable institutions such as Temple University, Penn State, UPitt, and Rowan.
Dennis has served as a section leader in multiple high school and extracurricular musical groups, taught trumpet and marching technique to students as young as twelve, and helped them understand jazz language and basic music theory through a youth summer jazz group.
Dennis is knowledgeable in conducting, choral, and orchestral repertoire, with strong aural skills and an extensive music theory background. He is also a recurring member of the Jenkintown Community Band and has experience gigging alongside other college students.
Nataliia Durbala
art
Nataliia Durbala graduated from Transcarpathian Art Institute in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. She has taught art for children and young adults for more than 20 years in art schools. She teaches drawing, painting, various decorative techniques, such as batik, weaving and mosaic. Her students are the winners of numerous art competitions and many of them choose art as their profession.
Nataliia Durbala is an active artist, constantly improving her technical skills. She works in various techniques like painting on glass, interior pictures on walls, furniture restoration, embroidery, and creating home décor. The artist is actively conducting art workshops across Philadelphia.