Dubravka Zubovic

Dubravka Zubovic, the critically acclaimed mezzo-soprano has performed on numerous operatic and concert stages in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.A. As the principal mezzo-soprano of the Belgrade Opera for a number of years, Ms. Zubovic frequently performed the roles of Adalgisa, Charlotte, Carmen, Rosina, Amneris, and Azucena, among others. Born in Zagreb, Croatia, she received her BA and MA degrees from the Zagreb and Belgrade Music Academies, respectively. Upon the suggestion of Zinka Milanov, her long time adviser, she continued her advanced training at Teatro alla Scala, Milan. A prizewinner of a number of competitions in Geneva, Ostende, Vienna, and Rio de Janeiro, she also received the prestigious "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" award in 1985 at the "F. Vinas" competition in Barcelona. Ms. Zubovic made her Carnegie Hall debut in the 1987 Wagner Gala and subsequently in a production of Andrea Chenier. Thereafter, she appeared as Amneris in Opera Pacific's 1988 production of Aida. Since 1990, she appeared as Dalila and Carmen in numerous performances in Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia. She has frequently appeared in all of Yugoslavia's opera houses and major symphony orchestras as well as many Yugoslavian music festivals and television programs. A versatile artist, she has also performed oratorios, lieds, and folk songs. Ms. Zubovic has recorded three albums featuring Spanish selections by Granados, de Falla, and Lorca, works by Handel, Purcell, Gluck, and Scarlatti, as well as selections by Yugoslavian composers. Since 1991 she has been living in Orange County, California. In January of 2010 she joined the Saddleback College Music Department as an adjunct professor of Applied Voice and language coach. D. Zubovic owns her private voice studio in Laguna Hills and is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), and MTAC (Music Teachers' Association of California), USA Web site: www.dubravkazubovicvoicestudio.com In 2012 D. Zubovic founded a nonprofit organization OC Ars Vocalis Academy/OCAVA, which will present a summer program for singers in Rome/Italy, in 2013. For more information please visit: www.ocava.org STUDENTS' TESTIMONIALS: My voice teacher is the best...where I see a musical mountain, she turns it into a mere vocal speed bump...Thanks Duba! Amanda Harris, Student ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As both colleague and student, I am deeply impressed with Dubravka’s approach to teaching voice. Her performance experience is vast, her knowledge of the voice as an instrument is unparalleled, and her teaching techniques are effective. In class, I have seen and heard instantaneous improvement in students’ voices with a few words of her advice and direction. On a personal level, with Dubravka’s help I have experienced greater improvement in my vocal performance in a mere four months than I have experienced with any other teacher; and I began formal voice study at age 15! More impressive than her experience, or her knowledge, or her approach to teaching, is Dubravka’s spirit. She is an absolute joy to have in class, and her kindness and patience with students of all levels, from first year students to professional opera singers, is inexhaustible. I cannot recommend her highly enough, both as a person and as a teacher. A. S. Harris, Saddleback College Adjunct Faculty and Applied Music Student --------------------------------------------------- Dubravka Zubovic-Radosevic is an excellent wealth of knowledge and inspirational teacher. She has encouraged me as a singer to think more musically not only in vocal tone, but also in emotional connections furthered by increased technique. Dubravka always has the singer's best interest in mind, teaching at the most basic level that a singer should never feel pain when singing, but through proper technique, singing can become simplistically beautiful. Her knowledge of the many languages used for classical music is pivotal for beginning through advanced singers, teaching proper diction and interpretation of lyrics as they pertain to the work as a whole. Her career has taken her all over the world and her understanding of what opera companies are looking for is information that singers often need but over look. Dubravka will transform a singer's talent by sharing with them breathing exercises, vocalized examples, and creative insights. She is an excellent teacher to work with, very clear in her directions, and extremely diligent to furthering the singers career and dreams. I would highly recommend Dubravka to all of my classmates and fellow singers. Amanda Strader, VoiceStudent at Saddleback College; B.A.from The University of California, Berkeley --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dearest Professor Zubovic, Thank you for the best voice class I've ever had. I'm loving every minute! Many thanks for the pa