From War to Music: Supporting a Piano Teacher Starting Again

My name is Maryna Kalachova, and I am a piano teacher from Ukraine with over 30 years of teaching experience.

Three years ago, I was forced to flee the war that destroyed my home and the life I had built. I arrived in Taunton alone, in a new country and a new language, and had to start again from zero — rebuilding not only my career, but my life itself, through music.

Over the past two years, I have worked very hard to rebuild my piano teaching business from the ground up. Today, I teach around 30 students, both children and adults. At the moment, six of my students are preparing for ABRSM exams, which requires a high-quality and reliable instrument.

Unfortunately, the used digital piano I was teaching on recently broke down beyond repair. Because I teach in a residential building, I cannot use an acoustic piano, which makes a good digital piano essential for my work and my students’ progress.

I am hoping to raise £1300 to purchase a suitable instrument so I can continue teaching, support my students, and keep building the small business I have worked so hard to create.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a real difference. If you are unable to donate, simply sharing this page would mean the world to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, support, and belief in new beginnings.

Maryna