Dr. Valentina Ignjic

Cello

Serbia cellist Valentina Ignjic enjoys an extremely versatile career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and teacher. She started learning the cello at the age of 10. From the very beginning, she has been working together with the teachers who further developed her love for music and have helped her to fulfill her hopes. Through many years of hard work, she has become the concert cellist who has performed throughout Europe and United States. 

Valentina made her concerto debut, performing Tchaikovsky “Variations on a Rococo Theme” with the Academy Symphonic Orchestra. Other solo performances include recitals Serbia, Hungary, Germany, Montenegro, Georgia (US) and Illinois (US). 

She has participated in masterclasses with Prof. Imre Kalman (“Panopticum Musicum” International Festival), Bongshin Ko (Columbus State University), Stanislav Apolin, Louise Hopkins, Alexander Kniazev, Florian Kitt, Maria Kliegel, Mischa Maisky, Xenia Jankovic, Roberto Diaz, Johannes Moser. Inspired by people who helped her to be broad-minded in music performing and cello technique, she felt the need to test herself in various competitions. During these years she won several awards, MTNA State Competition 2011 (Alternative) USA, “Mokranjcev Memorial Festival” 2005 (1st place) Serbia, State Contest 2004 (3rd place) Belgrade, 

State Contest 2002 (2nd place) Belgrade, State Contest 2000 (1st place) Belgrade. 

She has always been interested in chamber music and orchestra playing, but the seriousness in her performing as a team player on the scene has appeared after her performance in Berlin Philharmonic Hall and Lubeck Kongresshalle-Germany, with Deutsch-Skandinavishe Junged-Philharmonie (Co-Principal). She also has the experience of having performed with “Junged Kunstler Bayreuth” Festival in Germany (Co-principal). Performances include Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, Montenegro Philharmonic Orchestra, “Art Link” Baroque String Orchestra, “Dusan Skovran” Chamber Orchestra and LaGrange Symphony Orchestra.

She studied with Prof Imre Kalman at University of Novi Sad ”Academy of Arts” where she got her B.A. Degree in Music Performance. In 2011, Valentina was awarded with a full scholarship at Columbus State University, Prof. Wendy Warner cello studio. In 2015 she graduated from Roosevelt University (Chicago Collage of Performing Arts), Prof. Richard Hirschl cello studio. She is currently studying with Dr. David Starkweather at University of Georgia, where she is pursuing Doctorate in Musical Arts Degree.