Burr Ridge
Sladjana Saric
Piano , Voice and Flute Teacher
Sladjana Saric is the founder and director of Bel Canto Music Academy with both master's and bachelor's degrees in Flute Performance from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, Serbia. She is an accomplished opera singer and concert performer in both Europe and the United States, and is currently a member of the Grammy-winning Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Lakeside Singers. Sladjana earned her Master’s in Vocal Performance from the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, Serbia, and she earned a specialization degree in Vocal Performance from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary in the class of opera star Eva Marton.
Denise Marguerite Trautmann
Piano, Voice and Flute Teacher
Denise Trautmann is a classically trained pianist, flutist, soprano and composer. She has performed as a soloist throughout Chicago, New York, and Japan. She has played flute with the Salt Creek Sinfonietta, Manhattan Symphonie, and the New York Opera Forum at Lincoln Center. Denise has also performed with the New York Opera Forum, singing roles such as "Papagena" from Die Zauberflöte. Denise's composition, "Mélodique" was performed by 100 flutes at the 100th anniversary of the New York Flute Club, directed by flutist Nicholas Duchamp. She loves to compose for students and encourages students to use their creative imagination to the fullest. Denise also speaks French and Japanese.
Tess Slack
Piano and Voice Teacher
Tess Slack is a classically trained soprano originally from Glen Arbor, MI. A graduate of
Interlichen Atrs Academy, Tess completed her Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance at
Millikin University, and her Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Roosevelt University’s
Chicago College of Performing Arts. For the past few years, Tess has enjoyed teaching voice
and piano in the Chicago area. Her past credits include Philadel in Purcell’s King Arthur,
Cunegonde in Bernstein’s Candide, and Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.
Milica Nikcević
Piano Teacher
Milica Nikcević, born on October 12, 2002, in Niksic, Montenegro, began her musical journey in her hometown. She is currently a student at the prestigious "Roosevelt University - Chicago College of Performing Arts," completing her degree in "Classical Performance," with a major in Piano, under the guidance of Grammy Award Nominee Professor Adam Neiman. Milica commenced her piano studies at the age of seven at a music school in Niksic, mentored by Professor Marijetka Nikcevic.
Recognized as one of the most talented students in the school, Milica, at the request of the school director and the Ministry of Education, skipped ninth grade and enrolled in music high school. After completing her first year of high school in Niksic, she continued her education at the "Music School Tivat," under the mentorship of the eminent Professor Lidija Molchanov.
Following high school, Milica's musical journey persisted at the University in Novi Sad, Serbia, where she had the opportunity to study under the mentorship of Mr. Dr. Biljana Gorunovic. Throughout her education, she performed in numerous concerts and represented her school successfully at 25 national and international piano competitions, including events in Rome, Milan, Barletta, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, Split, Becej, Herceg Novi, Podgorica, Tivat, and more. Milica consistently achieved one of the top three prizes at all competitions, securing a significant number of first-place awards.
Notable among her achievements are a special award (100 points) at the Music Competition of Montenegro, first place at the II International Piano Competition in Tivat, absolute second place in the "Young Academy Award" International Piano Competition in Rome, absolute second place in the "Citta di Barletta" International Piano Competition in Barletta, Italy, third place in the International Piano Competition in Milan, Italy, two first-place awards at the International Piano Competition in Novi Sad, five first-place awards at the Music Competition in Montenegro, and first place in the "Fantast" International Piano Competition.
In addition to her solo performances and competitions, Milica actively participated as a member of various chamber ensembles and as an orchestra member. She further enriched her musical knowledge and techniques by participating in numerous seminars with renowned pedagogues and pianists from around the world, including Wolfgang Manz (Germany), Bernhard Endres (Germany), Horst Leichtfried (Austria), Maciej Zagorski (Poland), Jurij Kot (Ukraine), Boris Kraljevic (Singapore), Aleksandar Serdar (Serbia), Bojan Martinovic (Montenegro), Vladimir Bockarjov (Russia), Tatjana Prelevic (Serbia), and Vladana Kovac (Montenegro).
Andrea Lara
Piano and Saxophone Teacher
I have a bachelors degree in music from Elmhurst College. I plan on continuing my education with a Masters in Musicology. My main instruments are saxophone and piano. I have experience teaching pre-kindergarten and young elementary students. I love the fundamentals of music and helping others express themselves with music.
Nicolas Muñoz
Guitar/Drum Teacher
Nicolas Muñoz is a multi-instrumentalist from Chile who is based in Chicago, IL. He has performed professionally since the age of 16, and since then he has toured across the United States.
Nico is a long-time fixture of Alma Andina, a band that fuses traditional and native Latin American instruments with world rhythms and electronic sounds. Nico has made his career on his ability to play a wide range of instruments, including world percussion, drum kit, charango, pan flutes, guitar, and more. Not only does he play them solo -- he can play them all at the same time, a talent he features in his solo project “Nico’s One Man Band.”
Nico began his journey with Chile Sin Fronteras, and now in his 30s, he has graced the stage freelancing with several groups back in MN (his home state). In addition to his core projects, Nico has been hired to compose and play for multiple live radio dramas, and he regularly tours, performs, and leads workshops with choral ensemble Border CrosSing among others.
Eddie Binosi
Violin Teacher
Eddie Binosi is a musician and educator originally from Quincy, IL. He is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, where he honed his skills as a violinist. Eddie went on to study violin performance and music education at the University of Iowa during his freshman year before beginning his teaching career.
Eddie is an accomplished performer and has achieved many accolades throughout his musical career. He performed the first movement of Kabalevsky's violin concerto with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra during his junior year of high school after winning the local young arts competition. He has also performed in numerous concerts and recitals, including solo performances with various orchestras.
Currently, Eddie teaches violin and piano at Bel Canto Music Academy in Burr Ridge, IL. He is passionate about helping his students develop their musical abilities and find their own unique voice in music.
In addition to his teaching and performing career, Eddie enjoys exploring the city of Chicago, trying new restaurants, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Overall, Eddie is a talented musician and educator who is dedicated to sharing his love of music with others. His achievements and passion for his craft are a testament to his hard work and talent.
Naperville
Sladjana Saric
Piano , Voice and Flute Teacher
Sladjana Saric is the founder and director of Bel Canto Music Academy with both master's and bachelor's degrees in Flute Performance from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, Serbia. She is an accomplished opera singer and concert performer in both Europe and the United States, and is currently a member of the Grammy-winning Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Lakeside Singers. Sladjana earned her Master’s in Vocal Performance from the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, Serbia, and she earned a specialization degree in Vocal Performance from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary in the class of opera star Eva Marton.