 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).Kharkiv style bandurist Deriashnyj was born in Calden, Germany in 1946.