Examiner 50

ASA TDip, MOAA, MMTA, MASME, MISME, MUMT, MAATA, MASA

Zeljko Bedic commenced piano and violin studies in Croatia and continued his education in Sydney with piano, pedagogy and music theory studies with Dr Margaret Brandman and accordion with Maestro Dante Simonelli and Ross Lombardo.

A university academic and an accredited teacher in piano, accordion and theory, Mr Bedic has more than 30 years of teaching experience. Mr Bedic has given solo and duet performances at the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and at the Sydney Town Hall. He won first prize in the Australian Strings Academy state championships in 1980 and in the City of Sydney eisteddfod in 1981. Mr Bedic now adjudicates at international, national and state championships and in City of Sydney and St George eisteddfods.

He was Musical Director and Orchestra Leader of the Koleda and Dubrovnik Croatian folkloric ensembles and the Musical Director of the Klapa Koleda a capella ensemble and choir. Mr Bedic recorded an album at the Sydney Opera House with the Koleda ensemble and a studio album with the Dante Simonelli Orchestra and Choir.

Mr Bedic was the national coordinator and promoter for two highly successful charity recordings, ‘Side by Side – Song for Port Arthur’ and ‘Stop the War in Croatia’, which raised funds and provided moral support for the families of victims.

Positions held

• Life member and former Vice President of the Australian Strings Academy