Azur Kasapović (1998, Sarajevo) graduated from the Sarajevo Secondary Music School, Guitar Department, and is currently a final-year composition student at the Sarajevo Music Academy in the class of Professor Ališer Sijarić. During his studies, he honed his skills at numerous masterclasses organized by Sonemus, collaborating with renowned composers such as Dina Rešidbegović, Vinko Globokar, Marko Nikodijević, Uroš K. Pompe, Uroš Rojko, Richard Barrett, and Antoine Fachard. His career includes notable achievements in classical and contemporary music, distinguishing himself both as a talented composer and performer. His works have been performed at festivals and concerts including the Sonemus Festival, May Music Festivities, and the Creative Workshop “Sharing Knowledge.” Since 2019, he has been teaching guitar at BASICSchool, where he actively contributes to concerts and develops interactive content for the school’s eSystem. He is highly valued by colleagues as a reliable and collegial collaborator, and loved by students for his versatility, patience, and constant readiness to help.

Eva Čalija (2003, Canada) is a third-year student at the Sarajevo Music Academy, Cello Department, in the class of Prof. Dr. Belma Alić. She completed her primary and secondary music education in Sarajevo and has won special and first prizes at numerous competitions at both cantonal and federal levels. She attended masterclasses with distinguished professors such as Petar Olenjuk, Dejan Božić, Dragan Đorđević, and Yevgeny Xaviereff. She has also received awards at international competitions, including Fantast and Petar Konjović. Among her significant performances are appearances with the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the batons of maestros Riccardo Muti and Zubin Mehta. She is recognized for her dedication and energy that in

Marija Mastilo (1996, Foča) completed her primary and secondary music education in Foča and East Ilidža, later earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano at the East Sarajevo Music Academy, graduating as the top student of the Academy and the highest-ranked student at the University of East Sarajevo. During her studies, she competed in numerous national and international competitions, winning awards including laureate titles at several festivals. She attended masterclasses with prominent artists and professors such as Aleksandar Serdar (Serbia), Hinko Haas (Slovenia), Arnulf von Arnim (Germany), Elena Tarasova (Russia), Biljana Jašić-Radovanović (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Marija Pilipović (Bosnia and Herzegovina). She has performed across Bosnia and Herzegovina as a soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist. Since 2018, she has worked as a piano teacher and accompanist, with her students achieving remarkable success at competitions. She is also the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding academic achievements, both nationally and internationally. Her students win the highest number of awards each year, particularly first and special prizes, and Marija is cherished by students for her dedication, warmth, and inspiring approach to teaching.

Mina Petrović (2000, Šabac) completed her primary and secondary music education in violin, voice, and music theory. She studied voice at the East Sarajevo Music Academy, graduating in 2023, and earned her master’s degree in 2025. During her studies, she performed as a soloist with the Academy choir and orchestra, sang Vivaldi’s Gloria, and gave a series of concerts titled “An Evening of Baroque Music” in cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. She has also performed as a soloist in the Church of St. Mary of the Angels in Izola, the Army Hall in Sarajevo, and as a member of VIS Oskar Danon, promoted Sephardic music and performed at the 120th anniversary of the Ashkenazi Synagogue in Sarajevo. In May 2023, she was a soloist in Liszt’s Via Crucis at the Mariatrost Basilica in Graz. Since her third year of studies, she has been teaching voice and conducting the choir at BASICSchool. She is one of the most beloved teachers at the school, known for her ability to adapt to each student and build warm, supportive relationships, inspiring and motivating them. This unique quality allows her to successfully lead even the school’s most demanding projects.

Staša Dukić (1989, Zenica) grew up in Travnik, where at the age of nine she joined the Travnik Amateur Theatre after directing a street performance of Cinderella with neighborhood friends. The play was later added to the Travnik repertoire. She graduated in acting from the Sarajevo Academy of Performing Arts. Before moving to London, she worked at BASICSchool as an acting teacher, directing the school’s first two musicals – Frozen and The Lion King. Since 2018, she has been based in London, where she completed a master’s degree in Theatre for Children and Young People at Rose Bruford College. She has since led acting workshops at the college and Bruford Youth Theatre and collaborated with numerous theatre organizations and institutions, including Theatrebugs, Sparks Films and Media, The Hive, Speech Bubbles London, Trinity Theatre, Immediate Theatre, Polka Theatre, Half Moon Theatre, Little Angel Theatre, Playground Kent, The Baby Place, and The Herd Theatre. Her experience spans working with children and young people from 0 to 18 years old. After a long break, Staša is returning to the BASICSchool team, which brings us great joy. Although based in London, she will regularly travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue contributing to the development of new generations of young actors.

Daniela Knežević (1979, Sarajevo) began her dance education at the “29. Novembar” Elementary Ballet School in Sarajevo, later continuing at the “Akademie des Tanzes” in Mannheim and Cologne, specializing in classical ballet, contemporary dance, and jazz dance. She attended prestigious seminars such as Impuls Tanz in Vienna, Laban Dance Centre in London, and Teatro Stabile in Rome. She graduated from the Ballet Department of the “Mladen Pozajić” Secondary Music School in the class of Bahrija Bihorac. From 2000 to 2013, she was a member of the Ballet Company of the National Theatre Sarajevo, and since 2013 she has been actively engaged in teaching classical ballet, contemporary dance, and flamenco in Spain and Germany. With her vast experience and dedicated work, she significantly contributes to the development of dance education at BASICSchool. She is known for her warmth and energy, always ready for new challenges, which further motivates students to cultivate a love for dance and express their creativity.

Marija Ivančević-Stipić (1987, Prozor) is a music theorist and pedagogue. She graduated from the Sarajevo Music Academy in 2013 and has since been devoted to music education, especially working with young children. She initiated numerous projects, including the “Little Music Workshop” and “Music Garden,” aimed at introducing music to children. She volunteered with the “Emaus” association, composed spiritual chansons awarded at international festivals, and conducted choirs. She furthered her expertise at the “Estill Voice International” seminar with Professor Anne Marie Speed, completing two advanced levels, as well as seminars on “Applying Orff Schulwerk in Music Education and Music Therapy” and “Developing Intelligence Through Play – NTC Learning System, Level 1.” She also attended the VI Scientific Conference “Children in the World of Music” and participated in numerous projects, including musicals and ballet performances. Since 2015, she has led the “Music Workshop” at BASICSchool, a specially designed program for preschool-aged children, later launching the “Music Playroom” for babies and toddlers under three. From 2019 to 2022, she served as the school’s internal manager, while continuously creating new music activities for the youngest students. She is a beloved figure for every child, as she was the first window into the world of music for the majority of students who now attend the school’s regular programs.

Marko Jovančić (1996, East Sarajevo) graduated from the Secondary Music School in East Sarajevo, specializing in music theory and solo singing, and later enrolled in Film and TV Directing at the Sarajevo Academy of Performing Arts. From 2013 to 2023, he worked at the Radio-Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to various shows, special programs, and documentaries. As co-founder of the Music Atelier in BiH (today: Institute for Innovative Arts), he directed four of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most successful children’s musicals – The Lion King, Frozen, Whisper of the Woods, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR – as well as the televised New Year’s special Basics Show. Since 2016, he has worked as a photographer and videographer for Bonjour.ba lifestyle magazine, contributing to projects such as “Feel Good T-shirt” and photographing for brands like Pantene, Kerastase, and Somersby. He was a Digital Imaging Technician and photographer on films and series including Men Don’t Cry, The White Fortress, and The Hollow, and edited the award-winning Bosnian film Mother’s Gold. Since 2023, he has been a multimedia content designer at the IT company ZIRA and is the director of the advertising agency “Artefaktorium,” producing work for brands such as Lidl, dm drogerie markt, and the National Theatre Sarajevo. Without Marko, the school would not be what it is today – he created most of its visuals, filmed and directed nearly everything the school has ever produced, and is largely responsible for the image and reputation BASICSchool enjoys today.

Nina Vasić (2000, Šabac) began her music education in violin and graduated from secondary music school as valedictorian. She continued her studies at the East Sarajevo Music Academy, graduating in 2023 with a GPA of 9.79. She completed her master’s degree in 2025 at the same university. During her education, she won numerous awards in solo violin and chamber music competitions and gained pedagogical experience teaching violin at two music schools. Since 2024, she has been teaching at BASICSchool, where students appreciate her warm energy and strong dedication, which allow her to effortlessly pass on her love for violin and music to new generations.