DJORDE GAJIC
CLASSICAL ACCORDIONIST
Djordje Gajic began his musical studies in Serbia at the age of six, finally graduating from the Russian Academy of Music in 1993 with a Master of Music degree and the Honorary Title of Solo Performer. He continued his post-graduate studies at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music and was appointed Assistant to Professor Yuri Dranga.
Djordje has won first prize in International Accordion Competitions in Pescara, Stresa, Camalo (Italy), Soko Bana (Serbia), St Étienne (France) and at the CMA World Championship in Fontainebleu (France). He has also been awarded second prize in equally prestigious competitions held in Klingental (Germany) and Cheraparvetz (Russia). He has also received many awards of outstanding merit leading to television and radio broadcasts for the BBC, RTS Serbia, RTR Russia and RAI Italy.
Djordje has performed with several acclaimed orchestras and ensembles including the Russian State Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Yvgeny Svetlanov), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra (BBC Proms, London), the Fibonacci Sequence Ensemble, Locrian Ensemble, Research Ensemble and Hebrides Ensemble, et al. He is a prolific recitalist throughout Europe (Andorra, Holland, France, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Italy, Malta, Norway and Britain) and also in USA, Australia, China, Russia, Bahrain and Tunisia.
Since arriving in Britain Djordje has given solo recitals across the United Kingdom and also performs at many international music festivals including Edinburgh, Dartington, Norwich, Salisbury, Buxton and Birmingham.
He has been much sought after as an adjudicator at international competitions across Europe, China and Russia. As a teacher he regularly gives masterclasses in the United Kingdom, Europe and Russia. He was the co-founder of the International Summer School and Competitions at Kragujevac, Serbia, and compiled the accordion syllabus for the Trinity College of Music. He also designed and led the International Accordion Summer School at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He regularly participates in seminars and masterclasses for composers, and promotes the classical accordion in schools, universities and festivals.
He performs regularly in duo AdLibitum with the violinist Andrea Gajic. In addition to a busy performing schedule, he teaches at Douglas Academy of Music, St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh University and at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.