Sinisa Ciric received his undergraduate degree from the Academy of Arts, University of Novi Sad (Yugoslavia) and master degree from University of Georgia. He is currently pursuing DMA degree in violin and viola performance at University of Georgia in Athens studying with world renowned professor Levon Ambartsumian (student of Kogan and Yankelevich) and Dr. Mark Neumann respectively.
Sinisa is concertmaster of New Atlanta Philharmonic, Gwinnett Ballet Orchestra and Rome Symphony, GA. He appeared as a soloist with New Atlanta Philharmonic, Rome Symphony Orchestra and Georgia Philharmonic as well as Bach Festival Orchestra, GA.
As a member of ARCO Chamber Orchestra Mr. Ciric performed in Carnegie Hall and was featured as soloist on ARCO’s most recent recording of Vivaldi’s concertos for two, three and four violins.
He can also be heard on several CD recordings of New Trinity Baroque as violinist and violist.
Prior to coming to USA his orchestral experience involves Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra (Yugoslavia), the Symphonic Orchestra of the Radio-Television of Serbia, the Orchestra of the National Theatre, ensemble Camerata Academica and the Opera Orchestra of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad.
Sinisa participated on many concerts as a soloist, member of chamber ensemble, member of an orchestra, etc. He attended master classes with William Preucil and Jean-Marc Vajerbedian. While performing with the Symphonic Orchestra of Serbian Radio Television, he cooperated with many national and international conductors, such as Zubin Mehta, Christian Mandeal, Gyula Nemet, Milen Nachev, Mikis Teodorakis, Christian Badea and many others.
Sinisa is Artist Affiliate at Emory University and teaches violin, viola and chamber music at Oxford College of Emory University.
MIRNA OGRIZOVIC-CIRIC
Mirna Ogrizovic, was born in Croatia, but grew up in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, where she received her violin performance degree from School of Music, Belgrade University of Arts. She also received Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from Georgia State University in Atlanta and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in conducting at University of Georgia.
Before she moved to United States (in 2001), she was Associate Concertmaster of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Serbian Radio Television in Belgrade, the Associate Artistic Director of the Ensemble of the Studio for Early Music, and a soloist of the Ensemble Renaissance and the Orchestra of the National Theatre.
As a baroque violinist Mirna performed with John Holloway, Evelyn Tubb, Michael Fields, and has participated in masterclasses with late Micaela Comberti, as well as with Julia Bishop. She has received numerous awards in national and international competitions, including the silver medal on the international violin competition in Strezza, Italy. She recorded several CDs and videos. Mirna currently teaches violin, viola and chamber music at Berry College in Rome, GA.
DANIJELA ZEZELJ-GUALDI
Danijela Zezelj-Gualdi was born in Croatia where she began her violin studies in 1984. At the age of 11 she joined the Zadar Chamber Orchestra as its youngest member. Her college level studies began in 1993 at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, Serbia, studying violin performance with Professor Eugenia Tchougaeva. In 1998 she graduated from the Academy and joined the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra that same year. In the 1990s Ms. Zezelj-Gualdi concertized throughout Central, Southern and Eastern Europe, performing in Serbia, Austria, Croatia, Italy, and Montenegro.
Ms. Zezelj-Gualdi moved to the United States in 1999 to pursue graduate studies in music. In 2001 she graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a Master's degree in music. In 2006 she graduated from the University of Georgia earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
Since moving to the U.S., Ms. Zezelj-Gualdi has performed throughout the country, including two performances in Carnegie Hall. She has proven herself an amazingly adaptable musician, performing as a soloist (both orchestral and recital), chamber musician (with notable ensembles such as the ARCO Chamber Orchestra and Duo Lunaire) and orchestral musician (as violinist and violist). Her musical career is noted for collaborations with remarkable musicians, including Evgeny Rivkin, and contemporary composers Augusta Reed Thomas and James MacMillan.
Ms. Danijela Zezelj-Gualdi currently serves on the faculty of Georgia Perimeter College.
MARTIN GUEORGUIEV
Currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Georgia in the studio of David Starkweather, Mr. Gueorguiev has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player throughout Europe and the United States.
As the first prize winner of the National Competition for German and Austrian Music, Mr. Gueorguiev has played Haydn’s two cello concertos with orchestras throughout his native Bulgaria.
Mr. Gueorguiev holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance from Lynn University (formerly the Harid Conservatory) in the studio of Johanne Perron and a Master Degree in Music Performance from the University of Southern California in the studio of Ronald Leonard (former cello principal of Los Angeles Philharmonic).
Mr. Gueorguiev has also participated in numerous music festivals such as Sarasota Music Festival, Musicorda Music Festival, Hot Springs Music Festival and most recent, the Perlman Music Program Chamber Workshop where he worked intensively with Itzhak Perlman, Donald Weilerstein and Paul Katz.
Four established chamber and solo musicians joined together and developed into Balkan Quartet- a dynamic and inspirative string group.
Serbian violinists Sinisa Ciric, Mirna Ogrizovic-Ciric, violist Danijela Zezelj-Gualdi and Bulgarian cellist Martin Gueorguiev started their collaborations as section leaders of the Gwinnett Ballet Orchestra in Atlanta, Georgia, often playing as a representative quartet for this institution.
"We were fitting well together on a music and personal level" explains Ms. Danijela Zezelj-Gualdi. "In our playing together, I could feel the same energy and understanding that comes from our mutual background" adds Ms. Mirna Ciric.
The idea to form a group that would revive the powerful and the unique Balkan ethno sound started early among these four friends.
"Eventually, we want to expand our sound," says Mr. Sinisa Ciric, "and involve different guest artists on instruments such as voice, percussion, clarinet and brass instruments."
Balkan Quartet plays music by talented contemporary composers;
Aleksandra Vrebalov, the winner of the American Academy
of Arts and Letters Charles Ives Fellowship, 2007, look for more info at:
Also Aleksandar Gajic, Milos Simic, Brian Mitchell, Konstantin Blagojevic, and merges it with classical string quartet repertoire by composers Martinu and Glasunov.
Their focus is to involve and inspire composers to create new music that would use a language reminding and reviving the Balkan rich folk heritage on a highly artistic level.
Balkan Quartet is a quartet in residence at Georgia Perimeter College in Atlanta, GA.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills
Thank you for your friendship request. It's a pleasure and you're most welcome to visit my website: www.ajoyforlife.com It would be wonderful to hear you in a live concert someday. Best wishes for continued success. Julie-Ann Aguhob
We're now accepting submissions for our next mixtapes, please submit your info at www.coast2coastsubmissions.com for your chance to get a spot on the next mixtape!
Greetings from Prague. If any of you will be in Belgrade on March 14th, come hear the Ciompi Quartet (of Duke University) and me at Philharmonic Hall. I had forgotten you were based in the US, and thought it would be fun to meet in Belgrade. Oh well, keep having fun and making good music! cheers, PG
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old times since ? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely you’ll buy your pint cup ! And surely I’ll buy mine ! And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine ; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne. We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine ; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne. And there’s a hand my trusty friend ! And give us a hand o’ thine ! And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.
Through awareness and perseverance you can break this cycle of birth and death and find yourself elevated to the highest. Therefore, awareness leads you forward, while lack of awareness leads you nowhere.
