Biography

Vesna Vukusic is originally from Serbia and obtained her Master Degree in Viola Performance from the University of Novi Sad, where she studied with renowned teacher Marina Jasvali. She was employed as a senior professor at the Stankovic Conservatory of Music, teaching string instruments and piano, as well as coaching in their chamber program. For over ten years she was a member of the Belgrade Filharmonia, touring with the ensemble as they performed concerts across Western Europe and Mexico. Vesna has participated in international music festivals, playing with such notable artists as Domingo, Pavaroti, Rostropovich, and Mehta.

In addition to her experience in Serbia, Vesna was the principal violist in the Orquesta Sinfonica National of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic for a period of two years. Since relocating to Toronto in 1996, she has played in numerous solo recitals, and has been a principal violist in many regional orchestras such as the Oshawa Symphony Orchestra, Northumberland and Niagara Symphony Orchestras, among others. Currently, she is a principal violist in the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and Celebrity Symphony.

For more than ten years, Vesna has taught violin, viola, and cello lessons at the Music & Arts School, and regularly coaches in the chamber program. Her Settlement students have been prize winners at various competitions and recipients of internal scholarships. In addition to her work at University Settlement, Vesna is heavily involved in music education via the public school system: she directs the strings program at Sheridan Park Public School, teaches violin, flute and guitar at McHugh School, and coaches viola at Port Credit High School. In April 2011, Vesna received an Award of Distinction from the Peel Board of education.

Vesna is passionate about teaching, and strives to make her lessons exciting!