Sergei Eremenko

Sergei Eremenko [Сергій Яременко], (b. October 10, 1912, in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Odesa oblast, Ukraine; d. November 19, 1997, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Violinist, conductor, teacher, and musical activist. In 1940, Eremenko studied at the conservatory of music in Chernivtsi.  Having been marked as a political prisoner during World War II, he was sent to a camp the Netherlands. Afterwards, he immigrated to Canada in 1952, settling at first in Vancouver and then in Edmonton where he taught music, and conducted choirs and orchestras. He collaborated with Maria Dytyniak to form the women’s vocal ensemble “Merezhi.” He was also a member of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. In 1959, he began directing the choir at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Elia in Edmonton, and held that post until his death in 1997.

1952: Came to Canada.

1959-1997: Choir director at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Elia  (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).