Rođen je 1996. godine u Sarajevu. Osnovno i srednje muzičko obrazovanje završio je u Ilijašu i Sarajevu. Diplomirao je 2018. godine na Muzičkoj akademiji Univerziteta u Sarajevu na smjeru za harmoniku u klasi prof. dr. Belme Šarančić u čijoj klasi je i magistrirao 2019. godine. Kao student muzičke akademije ostvario je zapažene rezultate kojim je stekao priznanja Srebrna značka na I ciklusu studija i Zlatna značka na II ciklusu studija. Tokom drugog ciklusa studija kao stipendista Erasmus+ programa usavršavao se na Konzervatoriju muzike „Giuseppe Tartini“ u Trstu, Italija u klasi prof. Corrada Rojca. Poslije master studija, boravio je u Francuskoj u gradu La Selle Sur Le Bied, te je pohađao „Seminaire d’ete international d’accordeon“ i usavršavao se kod jednog od najpriznatijih profesora harmonike Frederic Deschampsa.

Tokom školovanja učestvovao je na mnogobrojnim takmičenjima u Bosni i Hercegovini i inostranstvu. Osvojio je brojne nagrade i priznanja, među kojima se izdvajaju prve nagrade na: XV i XVI Otvorenom Federalnom takmičenju (Bosna i Hercegovina), Međunarodnim susretima harmonikaša u Puli (Hrvatska), Zvezdanim stazama u Kragujevcu (Srbija), Eufoniji u Novom Sadu (Srbija), Svirelu u Novoj Gorici (Slovenija), Akordeon Artu u Istočnom Sarajevu (Bosna i Hercegovina), Internacionalnim danima harmonike u Pragu (Češka) i Harmonika Festu u Tivtu (Crna Gora). 2019. godine na 69. Svjetskom Trofeju harmonike u Louleu (Portugal) osvojio je 1. mjesto. 2020. godine, kao solista, pobijedio je na takmičenjima „Muzičko proleće“ u Smederevu (Srbija) i „Akkordeonfest“ u Grazu (Austrija). Iste godine, na 70. svjetskom trofeju harmonike u „Masters“ kategoriji osvojio je 10. mjesto.

Pored solističkih nastupa i nagrada, bio je član kvinteta harmonika Klaster i kamernog sastava Inat Trio sa kojim je aktivno nastupao i osvajao brojna priznanja i nagrade. 2014. godine dobitnik je „Srebrne Pahuljice“ od strane festivala Sarajevska Zima. Bio je član postave predstave „Naš razred“ Kamernog teatra 55 (2015-2019). 2016. godine je nastupio na 25. Internacionalnom festivalu umjetnika harmonike u Kragujevcu povodom 70. rođendana jednog od najzastupljenijih kompozitora harmonike Vjacheslava Semyonova. Pohađao je razne seminare i predavanja među kojima se ističe rad sa profesorima: Radomir Tomić – Srbija, Geir Draugsvoll – Danska, Vjacheslav Semyonov – Rusija, Gasper Primožić – Slovenija, Andreas Nebl – Njemačka, Luka Juhart – Slovenija, Krzysztof Olczak – Poljska, Corrado Rojac – Italija i dr. Kao solista nastupao je u Bosni i Hercegovini, Hrvatskoj, Crnoj Gori, Srbiji, Italiji, Belgiji i Francuskoj. Neke od sala u kojima je nastupao su: Cvjetko Rihtman, Dom Oružanih snaga BiH, Narodno Pozorište Sarajevo, Bošnjački institut Sarajevo, Dom hrvatskih branitelja u Puli – Hrvatska, INK-Gradsko kazalište Pula – Hrvatska, sala Grand hotela u Dubrovniku – Hrvatska, Multimedijalni centar Akademije umetnosti Novi Sad – Srbija, dvorac Miramare u Trstu – Italija, koncertna sala u gradu Boen-sur-Lignon – Francuska, sala centra za kulturu La Bellevilloise u Parizu – Francuska, sala Regina u Berck-sur-Meru – Francuska, Salle des fetes u Montargisu – Francuska u kojoj je nastupio na otvorenju 75. svjetskog trofeja harmonike i mnoge druge. 2021. godine proglašen je dobitnikom plakete Općine Ilijaš za učešće u realizaciji značajnih projekata iz oblasti muzičke kulture na području općine Ilijaš i šire.

Prvo radno iskustvo stiče u JUOŠ „Kladanj“ kao nastavnik harmonike. Na Muzičkoj akademiji u Sarajevu je bio angažovan kao demonstrator i stručnjak iz prakse. Od 2022. godine zaposlen je kao asistent na Muzičkoj akademiji Univerziteta u Sarajevu, na Odsjeku za duvačke instrumente i harmoniku, smjer harmonika. Delegat je iz Bosne i Hercegovine na jednom od najprestižnijih takmičenja na svijetu Trophee mondial de l’accordeon.

AZMIR HALILOVIĆ (BiH)

Born in 1996 in Sarajevo. He completed his primary and secondary music education in Ilijaš and Sarajevo. He graduated in 2018 from the Academy of Music at the University of Sarajevo, majoring in accordion in the class of Prof. Dr. Belma Šarančić, where he also completed his Master’s degree in 2019. As a student, he achieved notable results, earning the Silver Badge during his first cycle of studies and the Gold Badge during his second cycle. During his second cycle of studies, as an Erasmus+ scholarship holder, he furthered his education at the “Giuseppe Tartini” Conservatory of Music in Trieste, Italy, in the class of Prof. Corrado Rojac. After completing his Master’s studies, he stayed in France in the town of La Selle-sur-le-Bied, where he attended the “Seminaire d’été international d’accordéon” and studied with one of the most renowned accordion professors, Frédéric Deschamps.

Throughout his education, he participated in numerous competitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad, winning many awards and recognitions. Among the most notable are first prizes at: the 15th and 16th Open Federal Competitions (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the International Accordion Meetings in Pula (Croatia), “Zvezdane staze” in Kragujevac (Serbia), “Eufonija” in Novi Sad (Serbia), “Svirel” in Nova Gorica (Slovenia), “Akordeon Art” in East Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the International Accordion Days in Prague (Czech Republic), and “Harmonika Fest” in Tivat (Montenegro). In 2019, he won 1st prize at the 69th World Accordion Trophy in Loulé (Portugal). In 2020, as a soloist, he won the competitions “Muzičko proleće” in Smederevo (Serbia) and “Akkordeonfest” in Graz (Austria). That same year, he placed 10th in the “Masters” category at the 70th World Accordion Trophy.

In addition to his solo performances and awards, he was a member of the accordion quintet Klaster and the chamber ensemble Inat Trio, with whom he actively performed and won numerous awards. In 2014, he received the “Silver Snowflake” award from the Sarajevo Winter Festival. He was also part of the cast of the play “Our Class” at Kamerni Teatar 55 (2015–2019). In 2016, he performed at the 25th International Festival of Accordion Artists in Kragujevac, marking the 70th birthday of one of the most prominent accordion composers, Vyacheslav Semyonov. He has attended various seminars and lectures, working with distinguished professors such as Radomir Tomić (Serbia), Geir Draugsvoll (Denmark), Vyacheslav Semyonov (Russia), Gašper Primožič (Slovenia), Andreas Nebl (Germany), Luka Juhart (Slovenia), Krzysztof Olczak (Poland), Corrado Rojac (Italy), among others. As a soloist, he has performed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, Belgium, and France. Some of the venues where he has performed include: Cvjetko Rihtman Hall, the Armed Forces Hall of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the National Theatre Sarajevo, the Bosniak Institute in Sarajevo, the Croatian Veterans’ Hall in Pula (Croatia), INK – City Theatre Pula (Croatia), the Grand Hotel hall in Dubrovnik (Croatia), the Multimedia Center of the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad (Serbia), Miramare Castle in Trieste (Italy), the concert hall in Boën-sur-Lignon (France), La Bellevilloise cultural center in Paris (France), the Regina Hall in Berck-sur-Mer (France), and the Salle des fêtes in Montargis (France), where he performed at the opening of the 75th World Accordion Trophy, among many others. In 2021, he was awarded a plaque by the Municipality of Ilijaš for his contribution to significant projects in the field of music culture.

He gained his first professional experience at the public primary school “Kladanj” as an accordion teacher. At the Academy of Music in Sarajevo, he worked as a teaching assistant and practical expert. Since 2022, he has been employed as an assistant at the Academy of Music, University of Sarajevo, in the Department of Wind Instruments and Accordion (accordion major). He also serves as a delegate from Bosnia and Herzegovina at one of the world’s most prestigious competitions, the Trophee Mondial de l’Accordéon.

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IVANA ČRNJAK(HR)

Studij harmonike završila je 2000. godine na Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst u Grazu (Austrija) u klasi renomiranih stručnjaka za klasičnu harmoniku Jamesa Crabba i Geira Draugsvolla. Nakon diplome nastavlja poslijediplomski studij u solističkoj klasi prof. Jamesa Crabba te ga s odličnim uspjehom završava 2002. godine. 

Osim solističke klase harmonike, završava i pedagoški smjer Instrumental-Gesang-Pädagogik (IGP – smjer instrumentalne glazbene pedagogije) te violončelo kao drugi glavni predmet.

Po završetku poslijediplomskog studija upisuje doktorat filozofije u Grazu, također na Universität für Musik und darestellende Kunst u Grazu, a 2008. godine polaže završni ispit Rigorosum, čime ujedno dobiva titulu doktorice filozofije. Tema njezine dizertacije „Das Akkordeon in Kroatien“ („Harmonika u Hrvatskoj“) usko je povezana s njenim profesionalnim opredjeljenjem. 

Glazbeno obrazovanje upotpunjavala je redovitim aktivnim sudjelovanjem na brojnim seminarima na kojima je surađivala s priznatim svjetskim pedagozima i solistima, te je stečeno znanje dokazivala i potvrđivala na brojnim državnim i međunarodnim natjecanjima na kojima je osvojila brojne nagrade.

Nakon završenog studija vraća se u Hrvatsku gdje od 2003. godine radi na Glazbenoj školi Zlatka Balokovića kao profesorica harmonike, violončela i komorne glazbe. Od rujna 2023. zaposlena je kao profesor harmonike u Glazbenoj školi Ferde Livadića u Samoboru. 

Temeljem postignutih rezultata Ministarstvo znanosti, obrazovanja i športa RH i Agencija za odgoj i obrazovanje promoviraju je godine 2015. u zvanje profesora mentora, 2020.  u zvanje savjetnice, a 2025. promovirana je u zvanje izvrsne savjetnice. 2020. godine Agencija za odgoj i obrazovanje imenovala ju je voditeljicom Međužupanijskog stručnog vijeća učitelja i nastavnika harmonike za 18 županija Republike Hrvatske. Od tada vodi stručne skupove, organizira predavanja, radionice, seminare i ogledne satove za učitelje i nastavnike harmonike u sklopu njihova kontinuirana stručnog usavršavanja. 

Nakon školovanja posvećuje se pedagoškom radu, a njeni učenici redovito sudjeluju na brojnim natjecanjima te osvajaju brojne nagrade. 

Autorica je početnice za harmoniku HOKUS POKUS HARMONIKUS! izdane 2018. godine, koja objedinjuje dva na harmonici različita sistema desnog manuala (tipke i dugmići)  kao i dva sistema lijevog manuala (standard bas i bariton bas). Metoda u ovoj početnici omogućuje jednako korištenje učenicima koji sviraju klavirske harmonike kao i učenicima koji sviraju harmonike s dugmićima. Početnicom se mogu služiti učenici koji sviraju instrumente samo sa standard basovima, kao i oni čiji instrumenti uz standard basove imaju i dodatne melodijske  basove. Početnica je u cijelosti usklađena s Nastavnim planom i program prvog razreda harmonike osnovne glazbene škole, te je odobrena od strane Agencije za odgoj i obrazovanje.

Član je mnogih prosudbenih komisija državnih i međunarodnih natjecanja za harmoniku, te je mentorica pripravnicima harmonike i višegodišnja članica Povjerenstva za stručne ispite pri Agenciji za odgoj i obrazovanje.

Uz pedagoški rad bavi se pisanjem stručnih članaka s područja pedagogije i metodike harmonike, predavač je na seminarima i stručnim skupovima, te se kroz cijelu paletu svojih različitih aktivnosti aktivno zalaže za promociju klasične harmonike. Višegodišnja je aktivna članica je Matice Hrvatske.

Kao reproduktivna umjetnica nastupa s različitim ansamblima (Accoquartet, Cantus ansambl…). 

IVANA ČRNJAK (HR)

She completed her accordion studies in 2000 at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz (Austria), in the class of renowned classical accordion experts James Crabb and Geir Draugsvoll. After graduating, she continued her postgraduate studies in the soloist class of Prof. James Crabb, completing them with उत्कृष्ट (excellent) success in 2002.

In addition to her solo accordion studies, she also completed the pedagogical program Instrumental-Gesang-Pädagogik (IGP – instrumental music pedagogy) and studied cello as a second major subject.

After completing her postgraduate studies, she enrolled in a doctoral program in philosophy in Graz, also at the University of Music and Performing Arts. In 2008, she passed her final Rigorosum exam and was awarded the title of Doctor of Philosophy. The topic of her dissertation, “Das Akkordeon in Kroatien” (“The Accordion in Croatia”), is closely related to her professional focus.

She further enriched her musical education through regular active participation in numerous seminars, collaborating with distinguished international pedagogues and soloists. Her knowledge and skills were confirmed through many national and international competitions, where she received numerous awards.

After completing her studies, she returned to Croatia, where she has been working since 2003 at the Zlatko Baloković Music School as a teacher of accordion, cello, and chamber music. Since September 2023, she has been employed as an accordion teacher at the Ferdo Livadić Music School in Samobor.

Based on her achievements, the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia and the Agency for Education promoted her in 2015 to the title of mentor teacher, in 2020 to advisor, and in 2025 to senior advisor. In 2020, the Agency for Education appointed her as the head of the Inter-County Professional Council for accordion teachers, covering 18 counties of the Republic of Croatia. Since then, she has led professional meetings, organized lectures, workshops, seminars, and demonstration classes as part of the continuous professional development of accordion teachers.

Following her education, she dedicated herself to pedagogical work, and her students regularly participate in numerous competitions, achieving many awards.

She is the author of the beginner’s accordion method book HOKUS POKUS HARMONIKUS! (published in 2018), which integrates two different right-hand systems (piano keys and buttons) as well as two left-hand systems (standard bass and baritone bass). The method allows equal use for students playing piano accordions and button accordions. It is also suitable for instruments with standard bass only, as well as those with additional melodic bass systems. The method book is fully aligned with the curriculum for the first year of elementary music school and has been approved by the Agency for Education.

She is a member of numerous juries at national and international accordion competitions, a mentor to trainee accordion teachers, and a long-standing member of the Examination Committee of the Agency for Education.

In addition to her pedagogical work, she writes professional articles in the field of accordion pedagogy and methodology, gives lectures at seminars and professional conferences, and actively promotes classical accordion through a wide range of activities. She is also a long-time active member of Matica hrvatska.

As a performing artist, she appears with various ensembles (Accoquartet, Cantus Ensemble, etc.).

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JASMINA POSEDI (HR)

Rođena 1990. godine u Požegi, gdje i završava svoje školsko obrazovanje u klasi prof. Anamarije Nerad. 2009. godine upisuje Muzičku akademiju, Sveučilište Jurja Dobrile u Puli u klasi prof. Denisa Modrušana. 2014. god. završava studij u klasi prof. Boruta Zagoranskog, iste godine dobiva rektorovu nagradu za najboljeg studenta. Tijekom  školovanja sudjelovala je na brojnim solističkim natjecanjima, kao što su Međunarodni susreti harmonikaša u Puli, Coupe mondiale (Hrvatska), Svjetski trofej harmonike u Sarajevu (BIH), HDGPP – Državna i Regionalna natjecanja, Međunarodno natjecanje u Daruvaru (Daruvar Accordion Award), Concorso internazionale Trieste „Fisarmonie“ (Italija), PIF Castelfidardo (Italija), gdje osvaja visoke nagrade. Osim solo natjecanja sudjelovala je u komornim ansamblima i orkestrima, s kojima osvaja 1. nagrade, kao apsolutni pobjednici na Državnim natjecanjima. Često je nastupala kao solist i član komornog sastava u Hrvatskoj i šire. Usavršavala se kod brojnih istaknutih pedagoga kao što su: Mika Väyrynen, Elsbeth Moser, Vječeslav Semjonov, Jovica Đorđević, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, Boris Lenko, Miljan Bjeletić i drugi. Radi u Glazbenoj školi Požega kao prof. mentor. Sudjeluje na stručnim skupovima i seminarima.  Njezini učenici redovito nastupaju na koncertima, te na brojnim Državnim i Međunarodnim natjecanjima, gdje osvajaju prve i druge nagrade.

JASMINA POSEDI (HR)

She was born in 1990 in Požega, where she also completed her primary and secondary education in the class of Prof. Anamarija Nerad. In 2009, she enrolled at the Academy of Music, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, in the class of Prof. Denis Modrušan. In 2014, she graduated in the class of Prof. Borut Zagoranski, and in the same year received the Rector’s Award for the best student.

During her studies, she participated in numerous solo competitions, such as the International Accordion Meetings in Pula, the Coupe Mondiale (Croatia), the World Accordion Trophy in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), HDGPP National and Regional Competitions, the International Competition in Daruvar (Daruvar Accordion Award), Concorso Internazionale Trieste “Fisarmonie” (Italy), and PIF Castelfidardo (Italy), where she won high prizes.

In addition to solo competitions, she performed in chamber ensembles and orchestras, winning first prizes as absolute winners at national competitions. She has frequently performed as a soloist and as a member of chamber ensembles in Croatia and abroad.

She furthered her education with many distinguished pedagogues, including Mika Väyrynen, Elsbeth Moser, Vyacheslav Semyonov, Jovica Đorđević, Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, Boris Lenko, Miljan Bjeletić, and others.

She is employed at the Požega Music School as a mentor-level teacher. She regularly participates in professional conferences and seminars. Her students frequently perform in concerts and take part in numerous national and international competitions, where they consistently win first and second prizes.

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MARIJA OSTRUGAČ JUGEC (HR)

Rođena 1988. Nakon završene osnovne i srednje glazbene škole Zlatka Balokovića, smjer harmonika, u klasi  Maje Talajić, upisuje studij klasične harmonike na tadašnjem Odjelu za glazbu, Sveučilišta Jurja Dobrile u Puli, gdje je i diplomirala u klasi doc. Dražena Košmerla. Kao solistica,  član komornih sastava i orkestara sudjelovala je na domaćim i međunarodnim natjecanjima, te je i dobitnica brojnih nagrada.

Kroz svoje školovanje usavršavala  se kod eminentnih profesora klasične harmonike kao što su:  F. Lips – Rusija, E. Moser – Njemačka, V. Balyk – Hrvatska, M. Krajna – Hrvatska, M. Bjeletić – Srbija, A. Selivanov – Rusija, M. Zenzerović – Hrvatska  i dr. Nastupala je na brojnim pozornicama i dvoranama diljem Hrvatske, Slovenije, Njemačke, Italije, Rusije, Crne Gore. Bila je i predsjednica „Kluba studenata harmonike“ na Sveučilištu Jurja Dobrile, kojem je u cilju promovirati i predstaviti instrument u klasičnom svijetu, seminarima, koncertima i predavanjima diljem Hrvatske i svijeta. Glazbeno pedagoški rad započinje još za vrijeme studija, a od 2016.g. zaposlena je na Umjetničkoj školi Franje Lučića u Velikoj Gorici. S učenicima redovito osvaja nagrade na natjecanjima diljem zemlje i šire.

Uz svoj pedagoški rad, dugi niz godina  bila je voditeljica mješovitog crkvenog zbora u župi Sv. Marka ev. u Zagrebu. Svoju ljubav prema glazbi i djeci, uklopila je u glazbene radionice „Glazbena početnica“ koje već niz godina provodi s najmlađima na području  Zagreba i Velike Gorice kako bi ih uvela u čaroliju svijeta klasične glazbe i instrumenata, s ciljem da svako dijete iskusi čar muziciranja.

MARIJA OSTRUGAČ JUGEC (HR)

She was born in 1988. After completing her primary and secondary music education at the Zlatko Baloković Music School, majoring in accordion in the class of Maja Talajić, she enrolled in classical accordion studies at the then Department of Music, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, where she graduated in the class of Assistant Professor Dražen Košmerl. As a soloist and a member of chamber ensembles and orchestras, she participated in national and international competitions and received numerous awards.

During her education, she further developed her skills with eminent classical accordion professors such as Friedrich Lips (Russia), Elsbeth Moser (Germany), Vladimir Balyk (Croatia), Marijan Krajna (Croatia), Miljan Bjeletić (Serbia), Alexander Selivanov (Russia), and Marko Zenzerović (Croatia), among others. She has performed on many stages and in concert halls across Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Montenegro. She also served as president of the “Accordion Students’ Club” at Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, with the aim of promoting and presenting the instrument in the classical music world through seminars, concerts, and lectures across Croatia and internationally.

She began her music pedagogical work during her studies, and since 2016 she has been employed at the Franjo Lučić School of Arts in Velika Gorica. With her students, she regularly wins awards at competitions throughout the country and abroad.

Alongside her pedagogical work, she spent many years as the conductor of the mixed church choir at the Parish of St. Mark the Evangelist in Zagreb. She has combined her love for music and children through music workshops titled “Glazbena početnica,” which she has been conducting for many years with young children in the Zagreb and Velika Gorica area, introducing them to the magic of classical music and instruments, with the goal of allowing every child to experience the joy of making music.

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MIKELA URŠIČ (SLO)

Svoj glazbeni put započela je s devet godina kod svoje mame Vande Šimac u Glazbenoj školi Sežana, a obrazovanje iz klasične harmonike nastavila je u Glazbenoj matici u Trstu kod priznate pedagoginje Elijane Zajec. Godine 2005. diplomirala je na konzervatoriju »L. Campiani« u Mantovi (Italija), gdje je već tijekom studija ostvarivala vrhunske rezultate te osvojila više prvih apsolutnih nagrada na međunarodnim natjecanjima.

S pedagoškim radom započela je 1997. godine i danas ima više od 25 godina iskustva u radu s mladim glazbenicima. Njezin pristup poučavanju temelji se na cjelovitom razvoju, koji uz tehničku izvrsnost uključuje i razvoj muzikalnosti, kreativnosti te emocionalnog i osobnog razvoja učenika. Posebnu pažnju posvećuje najmlađima i djeci s posebnim potrebama. Razvila je vlastitu metodu poučavanja klasične harmonike za djecu već od treće godine života.

Njezini učenici redovito postižu vrhunske rezultate na najuglednijim međunarodnim natjecanjima (CIA, CMA, PIF Castelfidardo, Klingenthal, TEMSIG i dr.), kao solisti te u komornim sastavima i orkestrima. Mnogi od njih nastavljaju glazbeno obrazovanje na višim razinama ili ostaju aktivni u glazbenom životu.

Svoje znanje i iskustvo prenosi i šire kao predavačica na stručnim seminarima, voditeljica majstorskih tečajeva te članica žirija na međunarodnim natjecanjima u Sloveniji i inozemstvu. Od 2011. do 2018. godine djelovala je kao docentica za klasičnu harmoniku na konzervatoriju »G. Tartini« u Trstu.

Godine 2015. osnovala je Glazbeno društvo InMusic te harmonikaški orkestar InMusic Orchestra, u kojem sudjeluju i njezini bivši učenici. Orkestar aktivno nastupa u zemlji i inozemstvu te provodi brojne umjetničke i edukativne projekte s ciljem približavanja klasične harmonike dijeci i široj publici.

Svojim radom značajno doprinosi razvoju i prepoznatljivosti klasične harmonike te potiče mlade na umjetničko izražavanje. Njezino pedagoško poslanje temelji se na uvjerenju da glazba može snažno utjecati na razvoj pojedinca i poboljšati kvalitetu života. Godine 2024. otvorila je vlastitu glazbenu školu „Glazbena sobica Navdiha“, gdje kroz svoj pedagoški pristup stvara poticajno i inkluzivno okruženje za djecu i mlade.

MIKELA URŠIČ (SLO)

She began her musical journey at the age of nine under the guidance of her mother, Vanda Šimac, at the Sežana Music School, and continued her classical accordion education at the Glasbena matica in Trieste with the renowned pedagogue Elijana Zajec. In 2005, she graduated from the “L. Campiani” Conservatory in Mantua (Italy), where she had already achieved outstanding results during her studies, winning several first absolute prizes at international competitions.

She began her pedagogical career in 1997 and today has more than 25 years of experience working with young musicians. Her teaching approach is based on holistic development, combining technical excellence with the cultivation of musicality, creativity, and the emotional and personal growth of her students. She pays special attention to the youngest learners and children with special needs, and has developed her own method for teaching classical accordion to children as young as three years old.

Her students regularly achieve top results at the most prestigious international competitions (CIA, CMA, PIF Castelfidardo, Klingenthal, TEMSIG, etc.), both as soloists and as members of chamber ensembles and orchestras. Many of them continue their musical education at higher levels or remain active in musical life.

She also shares her knowledge and experience more broadly as a lecturer at professional seminars, a leader of masterclasses, and a jury member at international competitions in Slovenia and abroad. From 2011 to 2018, she worked as an assistant professor of classical accordion at the “G. Tartini” Conservatory in Trieste.

In 2015, she founded the InMusic Music Association and the InMusic Orchestra, which includes many of her former students. The orchestra performs actively both nationally and internationally and carries out numerous artistic and educational projects aimed at bringing classical accordion closer to children and wider audiences.

Through her work, she makes a significant contribution to the development and recognition of classical accordion and encourages young people toward artistic expression. Her pedagogical mission is grounded in the belief that music can have a profound impact on individual development and improve quality of life. In 2024, she opened her own music school, “Glazbena sobica Navdiha,” where she creates a supportive and inclusive environment for children and young people through her teaching approach.

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NADA VJEŠTICA (SRB)

Rođena je 1954. godine. Osnovnu glazbenu školu, instrument harmonika, završila je u Bačkoj Palanci u klasi nastavnika Stevana Maka, a srednju glazbenu “Isidor Bajić”, vokalno-instrumentalni smjer, u klasi prof. Milane Simin. FMU (Fakultet muzičke umetnosti), odsjek za muzičku pedagogiju, završila je u Beogradu u klasi prof. Radomira Petrovića. Tokom osnovnog i srednjeg školovanja bila je sudionik na festivalima glazbenih škola Srbije i republičkim natjecanjima  gdje je osvajala prve i druge nagrade: Smederevo, Subotica, Pančevo , Beograd, Novi Sad. Tokom studija bila je član akademskog zbora “Kolegijum muzikum” s kojim je gostovala širom svijeta: Rusija, Njemačka, Belgija, Nizozemska, Poljska, Čehoslovačka, Italija, Bugarska, Meksiko, Indija, Afganistan, Pakistan, Iran  prezentirajući kako internacionalnu tako i glazbu domaćih skladatelja.

Nakon završetka studija 1978. godine počinje raditi u Bačkoj Palanci, a nakon pola godine prelazi u muzičku školu Isidor Bajić, Novi Sad kao profesor harmonike. Odgajana na tradicijama škole nastavlja prenositi svoje znanje, ne samo na učenike svoje klase, već pomaže i kolegama u manjim sredinama u cilju poboljšanja kvalitete rada.

Dugogodišnji je posjetilac seminara za harmoniku (što omogućava proširenje znanja) kod predavača: Boris Lenko, Raymond Kakonji, Fridrih Lips, Elsbeth Moser, Jacques Morne, Vječeslav Semjonov, Ander Grote, Stefan Hussong, Vladimir Zubicki, Vladimir Besfamiljnov i drugi.

Od 1994. godine je u neprekidnom kontaktu sa školama Republike Srpske gde je često pozivana na konzultacije. Dugogodišnji je član žirija na festivalima, republičkim kao i saveznim natjecanjima (od 1987. godine do danas). Bila je član žirija 2000. u Portugalu i Španjolskoj, 2004. na međunarodnom natjecanju za Svjetski trofej u Španjolskoj i iste godine  na međunarodnom natjecanju za Svjetski trofej u Francuskoj, 2005. na Nacionalnom natjecanju Francuske, 2005. na međunarodnom natjecanju za Svjetski trofej  u Portugalu, 2006. na međunarodnom natjecanju za Svjetski trofej u Kragujevcu, 2006. na međunarodnom natjecanju za Svjetski trofej u Norveškoj. Tokom svog pedagoškog rada s učenicima i orkestrom kojim je rukovodila do 1993./94. godine, osvojila je preko 100 nagrada (I, II, III) na festivalima, vojvođanskim, republičkim, saveznim i međunarodnim natjecanjima.

Dobitnik je: Priznanja za doprinos razvoju muzičke pedagogije i afirmaciju škole, 1995.; Priznanja za doprinos razvoju muzičke pedagogije Republike Srpske, 1998.; Zahvalnice SIVA za razvoj harmonike, 1999.; Diplome Izvršnog vijeća AP Vojvodine za postignute rezultate u oblasti umjetnosti za 1999., 2000., 2001., 2003. i 2004.; Diplome Saveza društava muzičkih i baletskih pedagoga Srbije za višegodišnje pedagoške rezultate, 2000.; Diplome Zajednice muzičkih i baletskih škola Srbije, 2001.; Zahvalnice Zajednice muzičkih i baletskih škola Srbije za razvoj orkestarske muzike, 2002.;Diplome Zajednice muzičkih i baletskih škola Srbije, 2006.; Diplome Izvršnog veća AP Vojvodine za postignute rezultate u oblasti umetnosti, 2007. godine.

Član je: Sekcije harmonika pri Zajednici muzičkih i baletskih škola Srbije; Predsjednik je sekcije za harmoniku Saveza društava muzičkih i baletskih pedagoga Srbije; Član je upravnog odbora Saveza društava muzičkih i baletskih pedagoga Srbije.

NADA VJEŠTICA (SRB)

She was born in 1954. She completed her primary music education, majoring in accordion, in Bačka Palanka in the class of teacher Stevan Mak, and her secondary music education at the “Isidor Bajić” Music School (vocal-instrumental department) in the class of Prof. Milana Simin. She graduated from the Faculty of Music (FMU), Department of Music Pedagogy, in Belgrade in the class of Prof. Radomir Petrović.

During her primary and secondary education, she participated in music school festivals in Serbia and national competitions, where she won first and second prizes in cities such as Smederevo, Subotica, Pančevo, Belgrade, and Novi Sad. During her studies, she was a member of the academic choir “Collegium Musicum,” with which she toured extensively around the world, performing in Russia, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Bulgaria, Mexico, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, presenting both international and domestic composers.

After graduating in 1978, she began working in Bačka Palanka, and after six months moved to the “Isidor Bajić” Music School in Novi Sad as an accordion professor. Raised in the traditions of the school, she continued to pass on her knowledge not only to her own students but also supported colleagues in smaller communities with the aim of improving the quality of teaching.

She has been a long-time participant in accordion seminars (which enabled her to expand her knowledge) with lecturers such as Boris Lenko, Raymond Kakonji, Friedrich Lips, Elsbeth Moser, Jacques Mornet, Vyacheslav Semyonov, Ander Grote, Stefan Hussong, Vladimir Zubitsky, Vladimir Besfamilnov, and others.

Since 1994, she has maintained continuous cooperation with schools in the Republic of Srpska, where she has often been invited as a consultant. She has been a long-standing jury member at festivals and national as well as federal competitions (from 1987 to the present). She served as a jury member in Portugal and Spain in 2000; in 2004 at the International World Accordion Trophy competitions in Spain and France; in 2005 at the French National Competition and the World Accordion Trophy in Portugal; in 2006 at the World Accordion Trophy competitions in Kragujevac and Norway.

During her pedagogical career, working with students and the orchestra she conducted until 1993/94, she won over 100 prizes (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) at regional (Vojvodina), national, federal, and international competitions.

She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including: the Award for Contribution to the Development of Music Pedagogy and School Promotion (1995); the Award for Contribution to the Development of Music Pedagogy of the Republic of Srpska (1998); a Certificate of Appreciation from SIVA for the development of accordion (1999); Diplomas from the Executive Council of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina for achievements in the field of arts (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2007); a Diploma from the Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia for long-term pedagogical achievements (2000); a Diploma from the Association of Music and Ballet Schools of Serbia (2001); a Certificate of Appreciation for the development of orchestral music (2002); and additional diplomas from national professional associations.

She is a member of the Accordion Section within the Association of Music and Ballet Schools of Serbia; President of the Accordion Section of the Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia; and a member of the Executive Board of the same association.

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PETRI MAKKONEN (FIN)

Rođen je 1967. godine u Iisalmiju, u središnjoj Finskoj, blizu Kuopija. Svoju glazbenu karijeru započeo je s osam godina svirajući narodnu glazbu na klavirskoj harmonici. Šest godina kasnije započinje redovito pohađati satove klasične harmonike (dugmetare) kod Heidi Velamo na juniorskom odjelu Akademije Sibelius u Helsinkiju. Godine 1994. diplomirao je na profesionalnom odjelu Akademije Sibelius s izvrsnim uspjehom, studirajući harmoniku (u klasi prof. Mattija Rantanena) i kompoziciju (kod Heikkija Valpole i Ollija Kortekangasa).

Međunarodna postignuća Petrija Makkonena uključuju: drugu nagradu na međunarodnom natjecanju CIA za snimke harmonike (kategorija do 18 godina) 1985. godine, nagradu Srebrna ploča na Moskovskom festivalu harmonike 2006. godine za doprinos kao skladatelj za harmoniku, nagradu za najbolje novo originalno djelo za skladbu Tango-Toccata na natjecanju Coupe Mondiale 2011. godine (Šangaj).

Danas Petri Makkonen djeluje prvenstveno kao predavač harmonike na Konzervatoriju u Kuopiju, gdje također vodi orkestar harmonika Konzervatorija Kuopio. Nastupa i kao solist na međunarodnim koncertima, izvodeći ponajviše vlastitu glazbu, svira u različitim ansamblima u raznim glazbenim stilovima (tango, narodna i klasična glazba), te djeluje i kao kazališni glazbenik. Također je aktivan kao član žirija na međunarodnim natjecanjima harmonike.

Skladbe Petrija Makkonena za solo harmoniku obuhvaćaju međunarodno poznata virtuozna djela poput A Flight beyond Time, Disco-Toccata, Disco-Tango i Tango-Toccata, zatim karakteristične suite, posebno za djecu, kao što su Space Music, dodekafonska suita Ghost Party i Real Stories!, te druga djela različitih stilova poput Anhelo Inquietante, Choral Prelude i album The Red Bike (koji uključuje i skladbu …Like Swans). Njegova najznačajnija komorna djela su Il Mondo Nuovo za harmoniku i gudački orkestar, Pan za harmoniku i gudački kvartet, Blu Amore za violu, harmoniku, klavir i kontrabas, Moldavian Rock za harmoniku i klavir, Sonatina za blokflautu i harmoniku, Longing for Primitivity za tri harmonike, A Legend za dvije harmonike te Mbprschzdt! za juniorski orkestar harmonika.

Petri Makkonen također je napravio brojne obrade za juniorske orkestre harmonika i razne druge instrumentalne sastave. Sudjelovao je kao izvođač na više CD-ova, a njegov samostalni album The Red Bike objavljen je 2006. godine (u izdanju Finskog instituta za harmoniku). Notna izdanja njegovih skladbi dostupna su na mrežnim stranicama Nuotit | haitariputiikki (mycashflow.fi) i Petri Makkosen sävellyksiä – Convertor Oy.

PETRI MAKKONEN (FIN)

Born in 1967 in Iisalmi, central Finland, near Kuopio. He started his musical career by playing folk music with piano accordion in the age of eight. Six years later he began to get regular classical button accordion lessons from Heidi Velamo at Sibelius Academy Junior Department in Helsinki. In the year 1994 he graduated Sibelius Academy Professional Department with excellent marks after studying accordion (supervised by prof. Matti Rantanen) and composition (supervised by Heikki Valpola and Olli Kortekangas).

Petri Makkonen’s  international achievements: The second prize in CIA international accordion tape-recording competition (cat. under 18 years) in 1985, The Silver Disc–prize at Moscow Accordion Festival in 2006 for the career as an accordion composer, The Best New Original Work Award for his composition Tango-Toccata in Coupe Mondiale accordion contest 2011 (Shanghai).

Nowadays Petri Makkonen works mainly as the accordion lecturer of Kuopio Conservatoire including conducting Kuopio Conservatoire Accordion Orchestra. He also gives internationally solo concerts presenting especially his own music, plays in several ensembles in many different music styles (tango, folk, classical) as well as a theatre musician. Furthermore he works actively as a member of international accordion contest juries.

Petri Makkonen´s compositions for solo  accordion consists of internationally quite well-known virtuoso solo pieces like A Flight beyond Time, Disco-Toccata, Disco-Tango and Tango-Toccata, characteristic suites especially for children likeSpace Music, a dodecaphonic suite Ghost Party and Real Stories! and other solo pieces in different styles like Anhelo Inquietante, Choral Prelude and The Red Bike  album (including  …Like Swans). His most remarkable chamber music works are Il Mondo Nuovo for accordion and string orchestra, Pan for accordion and string quartet, Blu Amore for viola, accordion, piano and double-bass, Moldavian Rock for accordion and piano, Sonatina for recorder and accordion, Longing for Primitivity for three accordions, A legend for two accordions and Mbprschzdt! for junior accordion orchestra.

Petri Makkonen has also made a lot of arrangements for junior accordion orchestra and many other instrument combinations. He has played as a musician in several CD:s, his own solo CD (The Red Bike) was released in 2006 ( the Finnish Accordion Institute). The sheet books of Petri Makkonen’s music are available on the websites Nuotit | haitariputiikki (mycashflow.fi) and Petri Makkosen sävellyksiä – Convertor Oy.

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RENZO RUGGIERI (IT)

Harmonikaš, skladatelj i pedagog, Renzo je rođen u Rosetu degli Abruzzi (TE, Italija), gdje je studirao standardnu harmoniku kod maestra Alda Rampe, a kromatsku (free bass) harmoniku kod maestra Vittorija Pomantea. Studij završava diplomom iz jazz klavira na CPM-u u Milanu, u klasi velikog pijanista Franca D’Andree. Usavršavao se na specijalizacijama: „Filmska glazba” kod maestra Ennia Morriconea (1991.), „Jazz harmonika” kod Franka Marocca (1995.), Adriana Mazzolettija (1996.) i Richarda Galliana (2000.), „Jazz harmonija” kod Umberta Fiorentina (2002.), te na tečaju „Aranžiranje i kompozicija za big band jazz” kod Marija Raje (2001.).

Voditelj je projekata koji se protežu od solo nastupa do simfonijskog orkestra, s kojima je održao više od 2000 koncerata diljem svijeta (Rusija, SAD, Kina, Brazil, Njemačka, Španjolska, Meksiko, Norveška, Danska, Finska, Švicarska, Škotska, Slovačka, Kanada, Irska, Island, Engleska, Nizozemska, Belgija, Francuska, Litva, Bosna i Hercegovina, Srbija, Albanija, Ukrajina, Turska, Bjelorusija). Nastupao je na prestižnim pozornicama poput Arene di Verona, Shanghai Grand Theatre, kazališta Ariston u Sanremu, dvorane Gnessin u Moskvi, Teatro Olimpico u Vicenzi, White Hall u Sankt Peterburgu, Opere u Rimu i Državnog glazbenog kazališta u Rostovu.

Prvi je realizirao potpuno improvizirani CD sa svojim projektom „Solo Accordion Project“. Bio je umjetnički ravnatelj festivala kao što su Pineto Accordion Jazz Festival, Dolci Rumori Jazz Festival, Gold Accordion Fest i prestižne nagrade International Prize Castelfidardo (PIF), a trenutno i festivala Italia Award, čiji je ujedno i osnivač. Ostvario je značajnu suradnju s maestrom Peppinom Principeom, koji ga je u svojoj biografiji nazvao svojim umjetničkim nasljednikom. Godine 2007. aranžirao je album Souvenir d’Italia poznate pop pjevačice Antonelle Ruggiero, s kojom je nastupio na prestižnom Festivalu u Sanremu, čime započinje njihova dugogodišnja suradnja. Godine 2009., na Međunarodnom festivalu harmonike u Castelfidardu, dodijeljena mu je nagrada „Voce d’Oro“, koju su prethodno dobili velikani poput Richarda Galliana, Gornija Kramera, Astora Piazzolle i Arta Van Dammea. Godine 2013. nagrađen je „Srebrnim diskom“ prestižne Akademije Gnessin u Moskvi. Od 2014. otisak njegove desne ruke nalazi se među najvećim svjetskim harmonikašima u „Međunarodnom muzeju otisaka harmonikaša“ u Recoaro Termeu (VI). Njegovi CD-ovi Inni d’Italia i Collection osvojili su prestižnu nagradu Orpheus za najbolji jazz album harmonike godine. Sudjelovao je u više od stotinu produkcija, publikacija, CD-a, DVD-a, skladbi i edukativnih izdanja. Također je skladao glazbu za kazališna djela poput Il Ratto di Proserpina (R. San Secondo, Grčko-rimsko kazalište u Taormini, 1997.), La leggenda del fiore di lino (Stipo/Del Giudice, Opera u Rimu, 2001.) i Van Gogh and Tutankhamen (Marco Goldin, Teatro Olimpico u Vicenzi, 2013) i mnoge druge.

Renzo je jedan od prvih harmonikaša koji su objavili i razvili suvremenu didaktiku za jazz harmoniku. Predavao je na konzervatorijima u Cosenzi, Teramu, Castelfrancu Venetu, Noceri Terinese i L’Aquili te održao brojne seminare diljem svijeta (Kanada, Rusija, SAD, Kina i dr.). Njegovi učenici osvajali su najznačajnija međunarodna natjecanja (CIA, CMA, PIF, Primus Ikaalinen, Italia Award), a mnogi su danas aktivni u pedagogiji, koncertnoj djelatnosti i snimanjima. Renzo vodi napredne tečajeve moderne i jazz harmonike u svojoj Glazbenoj akademiji koja uključuje i studio za snimanje te diskografsku kuću „Voglia d’Arte Production“. Trenutno predaje jazz harmoniku – jedan od prvih takvih službenih studijskih programa u svijetu – na Konzervatoriju „Gaetano Braga“ u Teramu (Italija).

Suradivao je s brojnim istaknutim umjetnicima, među kojima su Ellade Bandini, Fabrizio Bosso, Antonio Calenda, Sergio Caputo, Gianni Cazzola, Franco Cerri, Stefano Cocco Cantini, Gabriele Cirilli, Roberto Colombo, Gianni Coscia, Simone Cristicchi, Paolo Damiani, Bruno De Filippi, Mauro De Federicis, Tullio De Piscopo, Piera Degli Esposti, Paolo Di Sabatino, Dolcenera, Umberto Fabi, Fiorello, Roberto Gatto, Marco Goldin, Raphael Gualazzi, Tonino Guerra, Monica Guerritore, Mark Harris, David Haughton, Roberto Herlitzka, Flavio Insinna, Linda, Judith Malina, Massimo Manzi, Frank Marocco, Germano Mazzocchetti, Piero Mazzocchetti, Ron, Morgan, Massimo Moriconi, Gino Paoli, Lino Patruno, PFM, Nicola Piovani, Peppino Principe, Enrico Rava, Danilo Rea, Davide Riondino, Antonella Ruggiero, Michael Supnick, Ares Tavolazzi, Art Van Damme, Ernesto Vitolo i Marco Zurzolo.

Jedan je od najistaknutijih talijanskih harmonikaša u Italiji i inozemstvu (Italian Jazz Dictionary, Flavio Caprera, Feltrinelli, Milano 2014).

RENZO RUGGIERI (IT)

Accordionist, composer, teacher, Renzo was born in Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE, Italy) and studied standard accordion with M° Aldo Rampa and free bass accordion with M°Vittorio Pomante. until graduation in jazz piano at the CPM in Milan under great pianist Franco D’Andrea. Specializations: “Music for Film” with M° Ennio Morricone 1991, “Jazz Accordion” with Frank Marocco 1995, with Adriano Mazzoletti 1996, with Richard Galliano 2000, “Jazz harmony” with Umbero Fiorentino 2002. Course of “Arrangement and composition for big band jazz” with Mario Raja 2001.

He is the leader of projects ranging from Solo to the Symphonic Orchestra”, with which he has played over 2000 concerts all over the world (Russia, USA, China, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Scotland, Slovakia, Canada, Ireland, Iceland, England, Holland, Belgium, France, Lithuania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Turkey, Belarus). He has performed on prestigious stages such as the Arena di Verona, Shanghai Grand Theater, Ariston Theatre in Sanremo, Gnessin Hall in Moscow, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, White Hall in St. Petersburg, Rome Opera Theatre, Rostov State Musical Theater.

The first to realize a completely improvised CD with his “Solo Accordion Project”. He was artistic director of festivals such as Pineto Accordion Jazz Festival, Dolci Romori Jazz Festival, Gold Accordion Fest and of the prestigous International Prize Castelfidardo (PIF). Currently of the Italia Award Festival of which he is also the creator. Profitable collaboration with Maestro Peppino Principe who in his biography named him his artistic heir. In 2007 he arrange the album “Souvenir d’Italie” by the famous Pop singer Antonella Ruggiero with whom he performed at the prestigious Sanremo Festival and with which a stable collaboration was born that continues today. In 2009, at the International Accordion Festival of Castelfidardo, he was awarded the “Voce d’Oro”, previously assigned to other famous musicians including: Richard Galliano, Gorni Kramer, Astor Piazzolla, Art Van Damme, etc. In 2013 he was awarded the “Silver Disk” from the prestigious Gnessin Academy of Moscow. Since 2014 the hand-impression of his right hand has been among those of the greatest accordionists in the world in the “International Museum of Accordionist Footprints” in Recoaro Terme (VI). His CDs “Inni d’Italia” and “Collection” won the prestigious Orpheus Award for Best Accordion Jazz CD of the year. He has participated in over one hundred productions publications CDs, DVDs, compositions and educational texts. He has also written music for theatrical works including “Il Ratto di Proserpina” by R. San Secondo (Greek-Roman Theatre in Taormina, 1997), “La leggenda del fiore di lino” Stipo/Del Giudice (Theatre Rome Opera, 2001) and “Van Gogh and Tutankhamen” Marco Goldin (Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, 2013) and many other works.

Renzo is one of the first accordionists to publish and create a modern didactic for jazz accordion. He taught at the conservatories of Cosenza, Teramo, Castelfranco Veneto, Nocera Terinese, L’Aquila and held many seminars (from Canada, Russia, USA, China, etc.). His students have won major international competitions (CIA, CMA, PIFo, Primus Ikaalinen, Italia Award) and many are already engaged in educational activities, concerts and recordings. Renzo teaches advanced courses in modern and jazz accordion in his Music Academy that includes a recording studio and record label “Voglia d’Arte Production”. He currently teaches Jazz Accordion – one of the first ministerial courses in the world – at the “Gaetano Braga” conservatory (Teramo, Italy).

He has collaborated with Ellade Bandini, Fabrizio Bosso, Antonio Calenda, Sergio Caputo, Gianni Cazzola, Franco Cerri, Stefano Cocco Cantini, Gabriele Cirilli, Roberto Colombo, Gianni Coscia, Simone Cristicchi, Paolo Damiani, Bruno De Filippi, Mauro De Federicis, Tullio De Piscopo, Piera Degli Esposti, Paolo Di Sabatino, Dolcenera, Umberto Fabi, Fiorello, Roberto Gatto, Marco Goldin, Raphael Gualazzi, Tonino Guerra, Monica Guerritore, Mark Harris, David Haughton, Roberto Herlitzka, Flavio Insinna, Linda, Judith Malina, Massimo Manzi, Frank Marocco, Germano Mazzocchetti, Piero Mazzocchetti, Ron, Morgan, Massimo Moriconi, Gino Paoli, Lino Patruno, PFM, Nicola Piovani, Peppino Principe, Enrico Rava, Danilo Rea, Davide Riondino, Antonella Ruggiero, Michael Supnick, Ares Tavolazzi, Art Van Damme, Ernesto Vitolo, Marco Zurzolo.

He is one of the most representative Italian accordionists in Italy and abroad. (Italian Jazz Dictionary, Flavio Caprera Feltrinelli, Milano 2014)

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TAMARA IGNJATOVIĆ (HR)

Rođena je 1983. godine u Puli gdje je završila osnovnu i srednju glazbenu školu Ivana Matetića Ronjgova u klasi prof. Nadije Radola i Tatjane Lajić. Paralelno sa srednjom glazbenom školom, završila je i Opću gimnaziju u Puli. Klasičnu harmoniku studirala je na Odjelu za glazbu Sveučilišta „Jurja Dobrile“ u Puli, u klasi prof. Dražena Košmerla. Diplomirala je u srpnju 2008. godine pod mentorstvom prof. Slavka Magdića stekavši zvanje akademskog muzičara, profesora harmonike.

Tijekom školovanja, kao solistica i članica harmonikaških orkestara, osvojila je brojne nagrade na državnim i međunarodnim natjecanjima te nastupala na koncertima i festivalima diljem Hrvatske, Slovenije, Srbije, Italije, Njemačke i Češke. Redovito se usavršavala na seminarima istaknutih harmonikaških pedagoga i izvođača.

Pedagoškim se radom bavi od 2006. godine, a od 2008. stalno je zaposlena u Umjetničkoj školi Poreč, gdje aktivno sudjeluje u organizaciji školskih programa i aktivnosti.

Zajedno s harmonikaškim odjelom organizira manifestaciju „Dani harmonike“, koja obuhvaća niz koncerata i predavanja eminentnih gostujućih umjetnika. U organizacijskom dijelu surađuje s Muzičkom akademijom u Puli, Agencijom za odgoj i obrazovanje te ostalim glazbenim školama u regiji. Kao pedagog njeguje individualni pristup, poštujući osobnost i psihofizičke mogućnosti svakog učenika. Zahvaljujući takvom radu, njezini učenici postaju istinski ljubitelji glazbe i vrsni amateri, dok se nekolicina njih odlučuje i za nastavak srednjoškolskog glazbenog obrazovanja. Njezini su učenici dobitnici brojnih nagrada na državnim i međunarodnim natjecanjima u Hrvatskoj, Sloveniji, Njemačkoj, Italiji te Bosni i Hercegovini. 

Redovito nastupaju na koncertima, važnim školskim i gradskim manifestacijama, događanjima u Istarskoj županiji i šire, a bilježe i nastupe u radijskim i televizijskim emisijama. Tamara Ignjatović sudjeluje i u radu prosudbenih komisija na međunarodnim natjecanjima. 

U školskoj godini 2013./2014., uz nastavu harmonike, obavljala je i dužnost predstojnice škole. 

Uz pedagoški rad, bavi se organizacijskim poslovima na natjecanju Međunarodni susret harmonikaša u Puli.

TAMARA IGNJATOVIĆ (HR)

She was born in 1983 in Pula, where she completed her primary and secondary music education at the Ivan Matetić Ronjgov Music School in the classes of Prof. Nadija Radola and Tatjana Lajić. Alongside her music education, she also completed a general grammar school in Pula. She studied classical accordion at the Department of Music of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, in the class of Prof. Dražen Košmerl. She graduated in July 2008 under the mentorship of Prof. Slavko Magdić, earning the title of Master of Music and accordion teacher.

During her education, as a soloist and a member of accordion orchestras, she won numerous awards at national and international competitions and performed at concerts and festivals across Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Italy, Germany, and the Czech Republic. She regularly attended seminars with distinguished accordion pedagogues and performers.

She has been engaged in pedagogical work since 2006, and since 2008 she has been permanently employed at the Poreč School of Arts, where she actively participates in organizing school programs and activities.

Together with the accordion department, she organizes the event “Accordion Days,” which includes a series of concerts and lectures by prominent guest artists. In the organizational segment, she collaborates with the Academy of Music in Pula, the Agency for Education, and other music schools in the region. As a teacher, she nurtures an individual approach, respecting the personality and psychophysical abilities of each student. Thanks to this approach, her students become true music enthusiasts and accomplished amateurs, while some of them continue their music education at the secondary level. Her students have won numerous awards at national and international competitions in Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

They regularly perform at concerts, important school and city events, and cultural happenings in the Istria County and beyond, and have also appeared on radio and television programs. Tamara Ignjatović also serves as a member of juries at international competitions.

In the 2013/2014 school year, in addition to teaching accordion, she also served as the acting head of the school.

Alongside her pedagogical work, she is involved in organizational activities for the International Accordion Meeting in Pula.

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VILIJANA ŠUGAR (HR)

Rođena u Puli, 22. srpnja 1962. Dugogodišnja je profesorica u Umjetničkoj školi Poreč, gdje je zaposlena od 1986. godine. Prvo glazbeno obrazovanje stekla je upravo u toj školi, gdje je u klasi prof. Đeni Dekleva-Radaković učila svirati harmoniku, a kod učiteljice Biserke Cukrov klavir.

Srednje glazbeno obrazovanje nastavila je u Glazbenoj školi „I. M. Ronjgov“ u Puli, gdje je maturirala na dva smjera: suradnik u nastavi glazbe (glazbeno-teoretski smjer) te glazbenik-instrumentalist, smjer harmonika, u klasi mr. prof. Elde Krajcar-Percan.

Nakon srednje škole upisuje Pedagoški fakultet u Puli, Odjel glazbene kulture, gdje diplomira na Pedagoškom fakultetu Sveučilišta u Rijeci i stječe zvanje profesorice glazbene kulture. Tijekom školovanja nastupala je na brojnim koncertima, natjecanjima i gostovanjima kao solistica, članica zbora, harmonikaškog orkestra i raznih komornih sastava.

Od početka rada u Umjetničkoj školi Poreč predaje harmoniku, klavir i solfeggio, a ranijih je godina predavala i početnički solfeggio, teoriju glazbe, komornu glazbu te vodila glazbeni vrtić.

Od 2008. godine, u suradnji s harmonikaškim odjelom škole, organizira manifestaciju „Dani harmonike“, koja uključuje niz koncerata i predavanja gostujućih eminentnih umjetnika. U organizaciji surađuje s Muzičkom akademijom u Puli, Agencijom za odgoj i obrazovanje te drugim glazbenim školama u regiji.

Redovito sudjeluje na stručnim seminarima i predavanjima radi profesionalnog usavršavanja. Sa svojim učenicima postiže zapažene rezultate na državnim i međunarodnim natjecanjima – ukupno su osvojili oko stotinu nagrada, među kojima se ističu mnoge prve, kao i nekoliko apsolutnih i posebnih nagrada. Njezini učenici redovito nastupaju na festivalima, promocijama, svečanim proslavama i sjednicama gradskih i županijskih tijela, a pojedini školovanje završavaju samostalnim koncertom.

Godine 2014. napredovala je u zvanje profesorice savjetnice, što je potvrđeno i 2019. godine. Iste joj je godine Hrvatsko društvo glazbenih i plesnih pedagoga dodijelilo Godišnju nagradu HDGPP-a.

VILIJANA ŠUGAR (HR)

Born in Pula, July 22, 1962. She is a long-time teacher at the Poreč School of Arts, where she has been employed since 1986. She received her first musical education at the same school, where she studied accordion in the class of Prof. Đeni Dekleva-Radaković and piano with teacher Biserka Cukrov.

She continued her secondary music education at the “I. M. Ronjgov” Music School in Pula, where she graduated in two fields: music teaching assistant (music-theoretical program) and instrumentalist (accordion), in the class of M.A. Prof. Elda Krajcar-Percan.

After completing secondary school, she enrolled at the Faculty of Education in Pula, Department of Music Education, where she graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of Rijeka, earning the title of music teacher. During her education, she performed in numerous concerts, competitions, and tours as a soloist, as well as a member of choirs, accordion orchestras, and various chamber ensembles.

Since the beginning of her work at the Poreč School of Arts, she has taught accordion, piano, and solfeggio, and in earlier years also taught beginner solfeggio, music theory, chamber music, and led a music kindergarten.

Since 2008, in cooperation with the school’s accordion department, she has been organizing the event “Accordion Days,” which includes a series of concerts and lectures by distinguished guest artists. In organizing the event, she collaborates with the Academy of Music in Pula, the Agency for Education, and other music schools in the region.

She regularly participates in professional seminars and lectures for further development. Together with her students, she has achieved notable results at national and international competitions—winning around one hundred awards in total, including many first prizes, as well as several absolute and special awards. Her students regularly perform at festivals, promotional events, formal celebrations, and sessions of city and county institutions, and some conclude their education with solo concerts.

In 2014, she was promoted to the title of advisor teacher, which was reaffirmed in 2019. In the same year, she received the Annual Award of the Croatian Society of Music and Dance Pedagogues (HDGPP).