Vesna Šouc

Vesna Šouc is a Serbian conductor and music educator. Her career is marked by successful leadership of symphony, opera, ballet, musical, and choral ensembles, as well as dedicated pedagogical work at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, where she is a full professor and Head of the Conducting Department.

Vesna Šouc's career represents a continuous interaction between her performing practice and pedagogical activities. The experience gained on the conductor's podium directly enriches her work with students, while her pedagogical work keeps her in constant contact with new generations. Simultaneously, she is active as a conductor in three significant Belgrade theatres: the National Theatre in Belgrade, the Madlenianum Opera and Theatre, and the Terazije Theatre.

She received her formal music education at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. She first graduated from the Department of Music Pedagogy in October 1989, and then from the Department of Conducting in December 1990. For her final conducting exam (a public concert), she received the "Petar Milošević" Fund Award as the best student of that year (1990).

She received the Charter for exceptional long-term artistic contribution to the Madlenianum Opera and Theatre in 2019. Ivan Jevtić (music), Vesna Miladinović (libretto after N. Machiavelli)

Terazije Theatre

At the Terazije Theatre, Vesna Šouc holds the position of musical director, i.e., chief conductor.

+ Selected productions at the Terazije Theatre conducted by Vesna Šouc Title Composer/Author Year/Period Note Source The Phantom of the Opera Andrew Lloyd Webber 2017 Awarded premiere

Vesna Šouc's artistic philosophy emphasizes that "a conductor does not exist without an ensemble," highlighting the importance of teamwork and mutual trust. Concert with the Belgrade Philharmonic (live) Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra Konstantin Bogino (piano), Paavali Jumppanen (piano) J. Sibelius - Finlandia Op. 26, F. Poulenc - Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in D minor, G. Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue NATAN (Belgrade) 1999 Gala Opera Concert with the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra (live) Istanbul Symphony Orchestra Eglise Gutiérrez, Burak Bilgili, Şenol Talinli, Özay and Önay Günay Gala Opera Concert Istanbul Symphony Orchestra 2005

Permanent recordings for media

She has made numerous permanent recordings for domestic and foreign radio and television programs. Her official website lists recordings of concerts with the RTS Symphony Orchestra, "Dušan Skovran" Chamber Orchestra, FMU Symphony Orchestra, Bursa Symphony Orchestra, Istanbul Symphony Orchestra, as well as video recordings for Radio Television of Serbia (concerts, opera "The Fearless Boy").

Awards, recognitions, and critical reception

+ Most significant awards and recognitions of Vesna Šouc Award/Recognition Name Year Institution/Rationale Source Charter for exceptional long-term artistic contribution 2019 Madlenianum Opera and Theatre Annual Award of the Terazije Theatre 2017 For the premiere of the musical The Phantom of the Opera Annual Award of the Terazije Theatre 2016 Silver Plaque of the University of Arts 2004 University of Arts in Belgrade Golden Badge of the Cultural and Educational Community of Serbia 1995 Cultural and Educational Community of Serbia October Prize of the City of Zemun 1992 For achievements in the field of music Student October Prize of the City of Belgrade 1992 For outstanding achievements and concert activity domestically and internationally "Petar Milošević" Fund Award 1990 For the best final conducting exam – concert

Vesna Šouc's concerts and theatre performances are regularly accompanied by exceptionally positive reviews.