Piano Studio Markovic

This evening, we celebrated Croatian National Day. My sincere gratitude extends to our esteemed hosts, Ambassador Skračić and his wife, Helena. I also wish to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of the organizers, Ms Tiha Dabac, and Ms Irena Čačić, as well as the delegations from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, for making this event truly memorable. Tonight, we were graced with a special performance from Danijela Kos, who delivered a magnificent cello rendition of the National Anthem.

Večeras smo proslavili Dan državnosti Republike Hrvatske. Iskreno zahvaljujem našim cijenjenim domaćinima, veleposlaniku Skračiću i njegovoj supruzi Heleni. Također želim pohvaliti iznimne napore organizatorica, gospođe Tihe Dabac i gospođe Irene Čačić, kao i delegacije iz Montreala, Toronta i Vancouvera, što su ovaj događaj učinili uistinu nezaboravnim. Večeras nas je posebnim nastupom počastila Danijela Kos, koja je izvela veličanstvenu izvedbu himne na violončelu.

This year, our studio's summer recital is scheduled for June 14th at 1:00 PM, and will take place at MacKay Church. All are cordially invited.

Plitvice, Croatia, and Jan Lisiecki; dream team!

Life has so much to offer… Less than 24 hours after performing in Switzerland, experiencing the beauty of Plitvice Nacionalni Park in Croatia.

What an evening to remember this was!

The Heads of Mission Spouses Association in Canada recently hosted a Diplomatic Charity Concert, an event dedicated to raising funds for The Rideau Hall Foundation's community-building initiatives. This distinguished gathering took place at the acclaimed Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat building designed by the renowned architect Fumihiko Maki.

Participating missions were from Columbia, European Union, Hungary, Ismaili Imamat, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Panama, Serbia, Slovenia and Spain.

The concert featured a diverse array of talented performers, including exceptional performances from two of my piano students: Her Excellency Ambassador Tuts, the Ambassador of the EU to Canada, who opened the concert with her interpretation of Chopin's prelude in e minor, Op. 28, No. 4, and His Excellency Ambassador Morales, the Ambassador of Colombia to Canada who surprised us all with a stunning traditional song in Japanese, and another piece played on the guitar. Their performances were truly commendable, and I look forward to next year's event with great anticipation. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Eboo and his esteemed wife, Karima Eboo, for their gracious hospitality as our hosts.

Bravo to all who organized and participated in this wonderful event!

His Excellency Vice Skračić, Ambassador to Croatia, graciously hosted a cultural event in commemoration of Croatian Heritage Day in Ontario. The artists Elis Lovrić and Daniela Kos delivered a captivating performance showcasing original works deeply embedded in the traditional Labin dialect. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Embassy of Croatia to Canada for a truly enchanting evening.

Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto is widely recognized as one of the most technically demanding concertos within the classical piano repertoire. It is a piece that commands both profound respect and a degree of apprehension from pianists. The opening movement, Allegro ma non tanto, spanning approximately sixteen and a half minutes, presents a multifaceted challenge, encompassing lyrical depth, technical virtuosity, physical endurance, and intellectual engagement for both the performer and the audience. The initial twenty-six bars, with a single flat in the key signature and a common time signature, feature the melody distributed across two octaves between both hands, creating an ethereal introduction. This is swiftly followed by a shift in rhythm, incorporating octaves and extended runs, which heighten the intensity. The second movement, Intermezzo, offers a profound and emotionally resonant experience. Its honesty, gripping passages, soaring melodies, and undeniable emotional impact are underscored by four key signature changes, a comprehensive dynamic range, and intricate musical text that rewards dedicated study. The Finale movement culminates in a breathtaking display of octaves and complex chords, performed at a rapid tempo, which creates a palpable sense of suspense and excitement for both the audience and the performer. I find this to be Rachmaninoff’s most vulnerable piece of music. And I adore it!

For two evenings, our Canadian star, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko masterfully guided us through his interpretation of this masterpiece, which was met with widespread acclaim. His performance was characterized by elegance, impeccable clarity in his use of the pedal, and a captivating lyricism that enthralled all in attendance.

Under the esteemed direction of Maestra Gemma New , our esteemed orchestra delivered a truly breathtaking performance.

We extend our sincere gratitude to tonight's performer, who graciously met with us and not only addressed our questions but also offered some wisdom to my student Sofia. Congratulations again, dear !

For two hours, everything was just good. Tonight felt like a therapy session, a hug we all needed. Our new conductor, Maestro Storgårds, took us on a journey. First, Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, a masterpiece of impressionist composition, wooed us. Then, Maestro Thibaudet sent us to Egypt with the Piano Concerto No. 5 by Saint-Saens. The second movement is one of my favorite pieces for piano and orchestra because it has melodies that remind me of home. Maestro Thibaudet's lyricism was a feast I wish everyone could hear. And then the third movement arrived, where his impeccable technique handled octaves, arpeggios, and speed like a leisurely stroll on a summer afternoon. Brilliance is an understatement! Seriously!
For the encore, Maestro Thibaudet graced us with Liszt's Consolation No. 3 and dedicated it to the fallen victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The closing piece was Haydn's "London Symphony", and our NAC orchestra under Storgårds delivered a joyful and embraced rendition.
Tonight's concert moved, and healed us. You have a chance to witness this excellence tomorrow evening. I can't recommend it enough!

What began as a Christmas tree decoration evolved into an inspired birthday gift for her musically curious husband. Today, this exceptional couple received their new Yamaha C3, expertly delivered by the highly knowledgeable and professional team at , under the distinguished leadership of .scharf. Our sincere gratitude is extended to , the premier piano dealer in Ottawa, who consistently exceeds expectations for my students and demonstrates unparalleled expertise in pairing the ideal piano with its new owner. Congratulations to Mary and Guy! ❤️❤️❤️

We made it! Winter recital of 2025 in January of 2026! I wanted to share how today's program came about. We can all agree that holidays mean family traditions. My family was no exception. The everlasting Eastern European love affair with homemade pies, cabbage rolls, Russian salad, and a never-ending repertoire of the richest cookies would put anyone into a food coma, and yet we made it a sport of how fast we could go through army-sized pots of all that food. And then there was music. Bach was a staple in our home as insisted on by the matriarch of our family, my Baka. Even as a young child, I was musically curious and would regularly push the boundaries of my Baka's tradition. When I discovered Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas album, I quickly realized the power of undeniable musical genius, as even my most traditional, Bach-only-during-the-holidays-loving grandmother would sway, which would make me burst into hysterical laughter. I've always wanted to hear that album live. Now, the benefit of being a piano teacher is that you can teach your little army of students the music you want to hear. So today's program is my deluxe winter album performed by some of my favorite people.
What a joyful recital this was! Thank you all who participated, and helped organize it! Also, thank you to all the families, friends and all the supporters of my studio. ❤️ Sandra