Meet Jana Minov | Music director and choral educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jana Minov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jana, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I grew up in the family of mother renowned opera singer and father conductor and vocal coach. Since the very young age I spent time in the back stage of the theaters and concert halls and was expoed to the gates music at our house. My mom would warm up her voice and practice every morning before going to her opera rehearsals and dad too would sing all day long. That is how I entered the magical world of classical music and opera. I stared playing piano when I was six yrs old, got asked to restart at later age because I could not even write or read at that time. I came back as an eight year old girl to do my music education and never stopped ever since. At the age of fourteen I knew that I want to pursue music as my career and lifelong choice.And that is how all started

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have had such an honor and luck to start my career as a young Artis working at Belgrade Opera House in Serbia and was the youngest (at that time at least) conductor to stand in front of the great musicians of that time. That was great excitement but obligation and responsibility as well and it was not easy. However, being young and hungry for knowledge and work experience I found myself embracing the challenge and enjoying the fruits of it. I was always finding comports and encouragement in my own preparation process. The better that was the more confident I was. What I have learned during the twenty five long career is that hard work always pays off even when the reward is not instant. Every investment I made to my education and into building and improving my own skills came back to me as a jewel when needed. Even nowadays I benefit from the time invested into self-improvement and education. That is something that no-one can ever take from you. I also learned over the years that each of us came to this world with the certain mission. it took me a bit of pain to realize what is my path and my mission but after a lot of self explorations and searching I came to discover what my true calling and purpose in this life is. I firmly believe that everything come to us at the time when we are ready for it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

if a friend was coming to Phoenix Arizona then my tour would include: Sedona, Grand Cynon, Antelope Cynon as well as Taliesin West museum of the famous American architect and innovator, Frank Lloyd Wright. This area is true Mecca of hidden gems and natural beauty. I am in love with Sonoran desert. My husband Nenad Savic and I moved here in 2004 and never ever thought of leaving. Furthermore, I would love for my visitors to venture out to the exciting and sometimes challenging hiking trails in this area. I would shower them with visits of lush and very unique resorts in the city of Scottsdale. How to omit down town Scottsdale and very authentic cowboy town of Lost Dutchman. We also enjoy the variety of cuisine in our are so our number one is Kabuki Japanese restaurant that we stayed loyal for 15years now. Our news favorite place is an Italian restart. Vito’s own by Italian family.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to say that I was lucky to have fantastic music teachers and mentors throughout my entire life who were believing in me, teaching me right things and wisdom of music and life too as well as great encouragement from my parents. My piano teacher Ivana Jasic was the one whose passion for piano music and young people influenced me to keep going and seeing the most beautiful sides of music and performing. She installed in me strong practicing habits and aspired desire for hard work and dedication. After my high school strong start, I was so lucky to got accepted to the Conservatory of Music in Belgrade to study with well respected figure in the world of classical music Maestro Jovan Sajnovic. Having himself a great career as a conductor he selflessly carried onto his students his vast knowledge about music styles and composers. Two other great figures in my musical journey were my USA mentors and dear professors, Timothy Russell and William Reber, both great musicians, conductors and educators.

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