IGOR'S BIO:

Hey there, my name is Igor, originally from Serbia, and I am currently doing my specialization in France. I obtained my Master’s Degree in Music (Jazz Studies/ Drumset) at Northern Illinois University’s School of Music, in the United States, and at the same time I was teaching as an Assistant professor there. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Music from Benedict College, in South Carolina, USA.

I have been a member of the Percussive Art Society, where I was featured in one of their articles as an international percussionist who received a Full Ride Scholarship at Benedict College and as one of the section leaders of the only drumline on the Balkan peninsula – SPE (Stankovic Percussion Ensemble).

I won two national prizes in 2007 and 2009 at the National Percussion Competition of Serbia.

I performed in various group settings which include jazz, funk, rock, Classical Orchestra, and Big Band. I played in high caliber orchestras such as Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Serbia, and National Opera. I also played for 4 years in Columbia, South Carolina with outstanding jazz and funk musicians and performed at the Chicago Jazz festival with the NIU Big Band. 

In addition, I performed abroad at some outstanding festivals in countries like Serbia, Montenegro, Switzerland, France, South Korea and in the United States.  I have been trying to stay adjustable for various styles in performing and teaching and keep my “around percussion player” approach.

Currently I am working on my own music which is a mixture of elements of Jazz, Balkan, Funk and World music. 

I believe that the best learning occurs when a student reaches the level in which he/she starts finding new things in music that are also new for us musicians and educators. At this moment in music creativity, both students and educators start teaching each other while they are also enjoying the beauty of music.  I am glad that I can afford this luxury to be called a “Musician” and to do it for a living!