What is the best thing that I love about my work?

 I’m active in music as a performer, composer, researcher, and educator, which allows me to approach the field from multiple perspectives.

Each of these perspectives opens a new space for expression, so it’s difficult to separate one from the others. Like any art form, music gives shape to inner states, emotions, and thoughts – it transforms something intangible into something that can be shared. Teaching, for me, is a way of bringing forward certain essential values that may have been overlooked, and reinterpreting them through a more contemporary sensibility.

What is my idea of happiness?

A sense of inner peace; to feel a real sense of meaning in what you do. Also there is a quote, often attributed to Bruce Lee, that says: ‘Do not pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.’ In that sense, happiness can be understood as something that arises from overcoming challenges.

What is my greatest fear?

I prefer to leave fears unspoken.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I recognize persistence as a part of who I am, especially in decisive moments. Still, in everyday life, I often find myself negotiating with its opposite.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

Over time, my sources of inspiration have expanded beyond my immediate field. What moves me most are people with a certain intensity – passion, resilience, and a quiet sense of dignity.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

In teaching, I find it challenging when there is a lack of depth or commitment, as well as a broader tendency to undervalue music as an art form. In performance, the tension lies in navigating a world where artistic value is often overshadowed by commercial priorities. Remaining true to one’s artistic vision requires both patience and persistence.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

Life and work unfold through cycles of intention and realization. We set both short-term and long-term goals, hoping that the smaller ones will lead us toward something greater. Each fulfilled step carries its own quiet sense of completion and happiness, before the cycle begins again.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

There’s a line from a song that says something like this: “The right words always come to me too late – I know the answer when I’m alone.” Perhaps I would change that. Or simply allow myself a little more light – more optimism in the way I see things.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

I think my greatest achievement is that, over the years, I have remained genuinely connected to music – still curious, inspired, and motivated to keep learning and growing within the field. That ongoing commitment led me to complete my PhD studies last year, which felt less like a final accomplishment and more like a continuation of that journey.

Where would I most like to live?

Perhaps it would be a place that carries the temperament, and adaptability of Serbia, along with its resilience in the face of challenges – but shaped by a more structured and harmonious system. The atmosphere of Florence, combined with the discipline and inner focus of Eastern martial traditions.

What is my most treasured possession?

A goldfish.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Ambition. 

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

The libraries of Belgrade – especially the National Library, the University Library, and the City Library. During my PhD work, I spent long hours there. For me, these spaces represent silence, concentration, and a particular kind of inspiration. 

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

I wouldn’t single out one place, but I find a certain pleasure in simple moments – like having coffee in one of Belgrade’s cafes.

What books influenced my life and how?

Everyday life is often marked by small absurdities, and encountering them in literature – sometimes in even more heightened forms – can make them easier to understand. I find myself returning to writers such as Meša Selimović, Ivo Andrić, Goran Petrović, Slobodan Selenić and his book “Očevi i oci”, as well as to authors like Franz Kafka and Fyodor Dostoevsky. 

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

I’m not sure.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

I like the characters of Bruce Lee, as well as Brandon Lee’s role in The Crow.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My family.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

I really love movies, but I can’t really decide. 

What role play stories in my life and work?

It moves me forward.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

If I take that statement literally, I could conclude that I’m allowed to say whatever I want about myself, even if it isn’t grounded in facts. That raises the question of what justifies constructing an untrue image of myself – but the original premise seems to imply that I don’t have to justify anything at all. Another way to read it would be: I can live however I choose. And a third, more integrated interpretation – if I set aside storytelling as a purely verbal act – is that my life itself is a story I tell through the way I live.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My family. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with ?

Luca Guadagnino, Sony,  Deutsche Grammophon, Ponderosa Music & Art,  BMG, Erased Tapes Records, Bedroom Community, Subtext Recordings, New Amsterdam Records, Cantaloupe Music

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I’m currently preparing a solo concert.

Where can you see me or my work?

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zoranaV

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zorana.vladisavljevic/

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

To me, it is the quiet permanence of becoming.

How can you contact me?

You can contact me by email:  zorana.vladisavljevic@gmail.com