Young Kolašinka Nađa Grdinić She first picked up the guitar, as she tells "Vijesti", out of curiosity and through play, and now, as a student at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, she is developing her own artistic expression and planning a future centered on music.
It is impossible to list all the awards she has earned through her talent and dedicated work in one newspaper article, and as she explains, what means more to her than these recognitions is "the personal progress that stands behind them."
"My love for the guitar began quite spontaneously, through curiosity and play. At first it was just an instrument that attracted me with its sound, but over time it became a way to express what I couldn't put into words. I don't think I had one clear moment when I decided that music was my path, it just happened naturally, through years of work and growing certainty that this is what I wanted to do," she explains.
Growing up in Kolašin with a guitar was, she claims, a special experience. As she says, “a small environment has both advantages and disadvantages.” Her hometown provided her “on the one hand, peace, focus, and support from people who know her.” However, pursuing art in Kolašin also meant “a lack of opportunities and a wider art scene.”
"However, it was precisely this balance that shaped me, taught me patience and perseverance, and gave me a solid foundation to continue. I remember my first performance, I was very young, and the feeling was a mixture of nervousness and excitement. That moment when you go out in front of an audience and share something of yourself remains forever, and I think that's when a special connection with the stage was born," Nađa recalls.
The decision to continue her studies abroad came gradually, “as my desire for further education and new experiences grew.” It was, she says, a big step, but also a natural continuation of her journey. The challenge of leaving a familiar environment was ultimately overcome by the desire for further development.
Her daily life in Salzburg consists of lectures, individual practice lasting several hours, listening to other musicians, and preparing repertoire. It is, she explains, a process that requires discipline, but also constant inspiration.
“Student life at Mozarteum University is very dynamic and fulfilling. The best part is the daily contact with music, inspiring people and different artistic approaches. The hardest part is, of course, the distance from family and the feeling that you are not always there for important moments at home. Studying abroad has greatly changed my view of music. I have learned to think more broadly, to explore and seek my own personal expression, and not just to strive for technical perfection,” she describes her student life in Austria.
At the Mozarteum University, she learned “how important it is to listen to yourself, develop your own artistic identity, and be open to different interpretations and styles.” This is something that “is difficult to understand without a broader environment.” She claims that she was lucky to have exceptional teachers throughout her education.
"I laid my first musical foundations with my teacher Milena Vračarić, after which the professor Drazen Joković left a big mark on my development. He was supportive in every way and someone who gave me a solid foundation and faith in my work, while my current mentor Marco Tamayo "has had a huge impact on my further artistic development and the way I think about music today. I have received various awards, and each one is dear to me in its own way because it represents confirmation of the hard work I have put in. However, what means more to me than the awards themselves is the personal progress that stands behind them. Awards can be both an incentive and a pressure. It is important to find a balance and not lose sight of the essence, the love of music," says Nađa.
There were moments of doubt and fatigue during her education. However, as she explains, this is an integral part of any serious journey. In such moments, what helps her the most is remembering why she started and her love for music, which always brings her back on the right path.
"Family support means a lot. My parents have worked and continue to work to make everything easier in every way, and they are always a support regardless of the distance. I often miss Kolašin. When I think of home, the first thing that comes to mind is peace, nature, and a sense of belonging that cannot be easily found anywhere else," says the guitarist.
She would like to pass on her knowledge and experience to young musicians from Montenegro, as she believes it is important to share what she has learned and help others on their journey. After her studies, she plans to continue with concerts and further education. She says she is open to new cities, scenes and opportunities that she believes will further shape her as an artist.
"My great musical desire is to leave an honest mark through my work and to reach people through music, regardless of borders. I would like to tell children and young people from smaller communities not to let their environment limit them. The place they come from does not determine the scope of their dreams. With work, dedication and faith in yourself, it is possible to find your own path," says Nađa.
He describes his artistic journey so far as "constant learning, growth, and searching for his own voice through music."
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