Nikola Ruzevic

A native of Croatia, Nikola Ruzevic has established himself as an international performer and teacher. His career, to date, has taken him to many countries around the world where he has received critical acclaim for his artistry.

Nikola Ruzevic has won numerous prizes and awards including the World Association of Young Businessmen Award for the Outstanding Contribution in Arts, Croatian String Teachers Association - String Teacher of the Year Award, University of Southern California - Outstanding Leadership in Chamber Music Award, Colorado Symphony National Orchestra Competition - first prize, Rose Pollack Award, American String Teachers Association Competition, California - third prize, Bell T. Richie Award, Mu Phi Epsilon Award, Yugoslav String Competition - first prize.

Mr. Ruzevic has performed as a soloist and a chamber musician with such renowned groups and artists as Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Baden-Baden Philharmonic, Zagreb Philharmonic, Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, Solisti di Zagreb, Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, Bartok String Quartet, Emerson String Quartet, Sebastian String Quartet, Zagreb String Quartet , Viotti String Quartet, Apple Hill Chamber Players, Members of the Bolshoi Theater Moscow, Members of the München Philharmonic Orchestra, Fresno Cello Ensemble, Mitani On, Yossi Reshef, Joan Tower and Dora Schwarzberg.

Mr. Ruzevic has earned his Bachelor of Music degree, Magna cum Laude and Masters of Music degree at the University of Southern California under the instruction of Prof. E. Schoenfeld. His other teachers include M. Flaksman, D. Berkovic-Magdalenic, V. Despalji, D. Grigorian, R. Kirshbaum and A. Janigro.

Nikola Ruzevic has held teaching positions at the University of Southern California, University of Zagreb Academy of Music, Apple Hill Chamber Music Festival, and principal cellist positions in the following orchestras: Fresno Philharmonic, Fresno Opera, and Los Angeles Guild Opera. At present, Mr. Ruzevic teaches at the University of Texas at Arlington, is the principal cellist of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, and is a regular professor at the "Upbeat Hvar" International Summer School and the Texas Cello Academy.