Ukraine musicians to participate in KU School of Music program

Two teen trumpet players currently living in Poland due to the war in Ukraine are headed to the KU School of Music for a summer music program. Taia Sniehovska and Yaryna Veresotska, both 16 years-old, will take part in Midwestern Music Camp at the KU School of Music.

Steve Leisring, Associate Dean of Global Engagement and Special Performance Projects and Professor of Trumpet, met the students after the Summer Trumpet Festival in Kolbuszowa Poland in 2019. Taia attended Midwestern Music Camp online from Kyiv in 2020. During that time, Professor Leisring learned that Taia’s family was facing struggles due to the war and was able to donate and personally deliver a trumpet to her in Poland last summer, thanks to contributions from his family and KU trumpet students.

Now, Taia and Yaryna are both headed to Midwestern Music Camp, thanks to the sponsorship of the Band of Angels, a partnership between WDAF-TV Fox 4 and Meyer Music. Professor Leisring and his wife Dr. Paulina Leisring will be meeting them in the U.S. and bringing them to Lawrence for the camp.

Bios

Taisiia Sniehovska was born in 2007, in Kyiv, Ukraine. She began playing the trumpet at 9 years of age and became a student of the Kyiv State Music Lyceum. It is one of four schools in Ukraine for talented music students. She is currently living in Krakow, Poland with her mother and younger sister. Her Father, brother and beloved dog remain in the city of Kyiv.

Yaryna Veresotska was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2007 and began playing trumpet at age 6. From 2017 to 2021 she was a student at the Kyiv State Music Lyceum. In 2021, she moved to Krakow with her mother and continued her education at the Chopin State Music Lyceum. KU Trumpet Professor Steve Leisring first heard her play in an online music competition during the Pandemic called, "Fanfares of Lviv" in which he was a judge. Yaryna was awarded first place for her age group.

About Band of Angels:

Band of Angels is a 501c3 nonprofit devoted to providing instruments to children in need in the Kansas City area. They have a long history of working with the KU School of Music and assisting with children wanting to participate in Midwestern Music Camp. For more information, please visit bandofangels.org.