COVER LETTER

Dear Ladies and Sirs,

I am applying for the position of piano teacher at
Champaign School of Music. At the present time I am a
first year DMA student and doctoral fellow at University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Music (Music
Performance

with

Concentration

in

Jazz)

and

am

simultaneously pursuing my career as a performer,

composer and educator.
Over the years I have taught music to individuals of all
ages from pre-school and elementary school pupils to
seniors and have been actively involved in performing jazz
and

related

music

styles

throughout

the

US

and

Europe. My university level teaching experience at NYU

Steinhardt has enabled me to develop a variety of original
educational methods that address a students personal set
of needs and abilities. At the same time, teaching music
to small children, teenagers and adults, provided me with
the necessary set of skills needed for an efficient transfer
of the knowledge and pedagogical approach to various

types of music students and their endeavors. This

experience
lecture

relates

settings

techniques. My

to
as

classroom-oriented
well

extensive

as

and

one-on-one

group

teaching

performing/composing

experience on the New York, Boston and European music

scenes, along with the broad musical knowledge acquired
from my studies and experience at Faculty of Music Arts
classical (B.A. & M.A. in Music Education), Berklee College
of Music (B.A. in Music Performance) and NYU Steinhardt
(M.M. in Jazz Studies) has also provided me with a deep
understanding of the psychology of students from multicultural backgrounds which has enhanced my teaching
methods.
My pedagogic approach is to provide my students with
excellent knowledge and guide them to create their own
unique musical language. I cater to each student,
regardless of whether they are pursuing a long-term
music path or study music as part of their general
education, designing lessons in a way that is the easiest,
most interesting and most accessible from their
perspective. I teach my students to discover and connect
with a hidden spot within themselves and to help them

build on their strengths and overcome their weaknesses.

My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that
learning music should be not only methodically
approached and constructed but also creative, rewarding
and fun.
I hope I will have the opportunity to meet you and share
my knowledge at the Champaign School of Music. My
resume is in the second part of this document.
forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Dimitrije Vasiljevic

I look

Curriculum Vitae

Dimitrije Vasiljevic
Pianist, composer, arranger and music educator
58 E Healey St, Unit 301, Champaign, IL 61820
(347) 299-8246 dimmypiano@yahoo.com

Summary of professional skills/expertise

Professional musician with versatile experience and skills as a performer, composer,
arranger and educator in a variety of music genres (jazz, pop rock, classical, funk,
electronic). Performed extensively both nationally and internationally as a piano soloist,
small combo and orchestra member for the past 12 years. Composes and arranges music
for ensembles, solo piano, film, incidental music and music for media.
Taught music classes to both group and one on one at all levels using acclaimed as well
as personally developed methods for the past 10 years. Proficient user of a variety of
music software packages. In addition to piano, uses hardware and software synthesizers,
music workstations and other kinds of electronic keyboards.

Work experience
Early childhood music and arts teacher 01/2014 05/2014
Gymboree Play & Music
Instructor in interactive music and art classes with children ages 0 to 5. Assisting in the
implementation of curriculum activities. Enhancing childrens development and love of
music through song, dance, movement games and instruments. Applying an array of
styles, teach music classes that help children explore the power of rhythm, melody,
tonality and beat while nurturing key physical, social and intellectual skills. Fostering
creativity and confidence and facilitating highenergy parent-child play, leading parenting
discussions and engaging children and parents.
Adjunct Professor of Piano 01/2013 01/2014
New York University Steinhardt
Taught college level piano and applied music theory and harmony for jazz (from
traditional to contemporary), pop and classical music both to music and non-music
majors. Lessons included piano technique, jazz language, repertoire, ear training and
overall musicianship. Advised undergraduate students in selecting appropriate courses to
fulfill their degree requirements. Repertoire selection for a variety of levels, including
determining the appropriate beginning repertoire and methods for students with no
pianistic background, and the selection of appropriate growth repertoire for more
advanced students. Organized master classes, coordinated group recitals and participated
in an extensive rehearsal processes. Coordinated pedagogical objectives with other
teachers in the program. Worked with the Director of Jazz Studies to facilitate various
aspects of the program.

Faculty member/Board member, instructor of theory and piano 06/ 2013 - Present
Blue Mountain Music Festival Summer Camp, Trenton, NJ and Lancaster, PA
Instructed camp participants age 6 to 17 in jazz theory, classical theory, jazz ensemble
and piano
and accompanied the choir. Co-organized and performed in several performances
including both faculty and students. Mentored students while bringing a broad musical
perspective and general education. Coordinated after-school activities.
Performer, composer, arranger and studio session musician 05/2007 Present
Belgrade, Boston, Vienna and New York
Rich experience in playing with various kinds of jazz, and pop/rock ensembles
throughout Europe and US. Expertise in performing, composing, arranging and recording
different styles of modern music and adept at playing classical piano repertoire. Strong
sight-reader, improviser and solo piano player. Skillful accompanist for vocalists and
choir, as well as reliable team-worker in both small and large ensemble settings.
Performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, United Nations, Montreux
Palace, etc...
Private piano teacher 09/2003 Present
Belgrade, Boston, New York, Champaign-Urbana
Extensive teaching in private one-on-one and group environment of students at all level
using flexible and innovative methods in wide variety of styles such as jazz, pop/rock,
classical, etc.
Pianist 03/2002 08/2007
The Belgrade Dixieland Orchestra, Belgrade, Serbia
Full time pianist of the most renowned Dixieland orchestra in Serbia. Played, recorded,
and extensively toured throughout Serbia playing in all major concert halls in the country,
as well as several European countries (festivals in Sweden, Hungary, Bosnia,
Montenegro, etc). Performed in over 500 concerts and various other events. Frequently
appeared in major Serbias TV shows, newspapers and radio performances and
interviews.
Assistant Sound Engineer 04/1999 02/2002
Recording Studio Odiseja, Belgrade, Serbia
Assisted leading sound engineer and composer of music for theatre and advertisements
with engineering, session setup and all aspects of studio productions. Engineered over 50
different projects including theatre music, jingles, TV and radio advertisements, video
soundtracks, etc.Recorded, mixed and edited non-linear audio sessions for individual
musicians and full bands as well as created MIDI-based arrangements and compositions.
Created quality digital files for mass production including for theatre, TV, radio,
festivals, etc. Prepared recording studio for efficient use including software/hardware setup, track creation, mixing board routing, microphone selection and placement, cord

management and creation of headphone mixes resulting in smooth running and

productive sessions. Competent use of music composition and audio recording software
for professional studio sessions.

Education
Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Performance with a Concentration in Jazz - Present
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Music (M.M.) in Performance with a Concentration in Jazz, Cum Laude
12/2013
New York University - Steinhardt
Bachelor (B.A.) in Performance, Summa cum Laude 12/2010
Berklee College of Music, Boston
Bachelor (B.A.) and Master (M.A.) in music theory and education 03/2007
Faculty of Music Art, Belgrade Serbia
Studied with: John "Chip" Stephens, Charles "Chip" McNeill, Ray Santisi, Ira Newborn,
JoAnne Brackeen, Joe Lovano, Chriss Potter, Andy Milne, Laszlo Gardony, Danilo
Perez, Jean-Michel Pilc, Frank Carlberg, Daniel Ian Smith, Ed Tomassi, Neil Olmstead,
Dave Santoro, Leonardo Blanco, Alain Mallet, Rick diMuzio, among others.

Awards, Prizes and Scholarships

"Creative and Performing Art Fellowship", University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
School of Music, 2014/2015
Recognition of Achievement for promoting the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla through
music,
The Tesla Science Foundation, 2014
Outstanding Scholar Award, Berklee College of Music, 2010
Third Jury Prize, Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition, Montreux, Switzerland, 2008
Audience Prize, Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition, Montreux, Switzerland 2008
Recipient of World Tour Scholarship Tour, Berklee College of Music Scholarship,
2007-2010
Berklee Achievement Scholarship, Berklee College of Music, 2008-2010
Piano Department Achievement Award, Berklee Colleg of Music, 2009
Jazz Performance Award, Berklee College of Music, 2008
Deans List during the entire period of studies at Berklee College of Music, 20072010

Music technology, language and other skills

Own and operate Logic Pro-based home studio for professional and personal projects
Experienced on both Macintosh and PC platforms with sequencing software and
notation software
Finale and Sibelius, as well as with video editing software
Fluent in Serbian and English with intermediate level of German
Experience in scoring music for radio, TV, commercials and short films

Discography
Metaphor, solo jazz piano album with original compositions released in 2014.
The Path of Silvan, debut album as a leader with original compositions for a jazz
quartet released in 2013.
With Alex Pinter Quintet recorded album Beantown Experience for Austrian Label
Extraplatte
(2011)
Three albums with BDO orchestra for Serbias leading record label PGPRTS
(2004/2006/2008)
Two albums with BDO orchestra Swiss record label BMW Records (2010, 2012

Internet
Website: www.dimitrijevasiljevic.com Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/dimmypiano
References Available upon Request