ENSEMBLES 2023

Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra

Dragan Djerkic founded the Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra (MSSO) in 1990. Orchestra members are comprised primarily of Dragan’s and Vera Mirkovic’s students. There are currently 31 orchestra members, with ages ranging from 12 to 20 years old.
In 2016, the MSSO travelled to China and performed in national concert halls in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Xuzhou, under the auspices of the League of Astonishing Strings. In 2018, Dragan led his second international tour, performing with the MSSO at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival, where they won third place. The MSSO also performed in Prague, Salzburg and Munich.

Dragan Djerkic

Conductor

Conductor Dragan Djerkic founded the Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra (MSSO) in 1990. As a young immigrant from Serbia, Dragan studied with violinist Mauricio Fuks, at McGill University, in Montreal. After graduation, he taught at the McGill Conservatory of Music, until opening his violin school, Institut Suzuki in 1984, with Vera Mirkovic. Dragan was inspired by Japanese violinist, educator and humanitarian, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, and his teachings on how children learn to experience beauty and music. In 2016, Dragan and his orchestra travelled to China, under the auspices of the League of Astonishing Strings, for their first international tour. They performed in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Xuzhou. Dragan led his second international tour in 2018 and performed with the MSSO at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival, where they won third place, with outstanding success. They also performed in Prague, Salzburg and Munich.

Competition Program

Additional Concerts Program