Olivera Ognjenovic
About
My name is Olivera Ognjenović, and I am a classical guitar teacher with many years of experience both as a performer and educator. I graduated from both the elementary and high school music programs at the “Dr. Vojislav Vučković” Music School in Belgrade, Serbia, and I am currently a student at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU).
I’ve been giving private guitar lessons since high school, working with students of various ages and skill levels. I have also actively participated in many national and international competitions, achieving excellent results, including:
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2nd Prize at the Anna Amalia Guitar Competition in Weimar (2021)
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1st Prize at the Transilvania Guitar Competition (2020)
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Over 50 laureate titles and more than 70 first prizes
I am a scholarship recipient of the City of Belgrade Foundation, and proud winner of the “Stars of Belgrade” award, granted for outstanding artistic achievement.
My teaching is tailored to each student's individual needs, whether they’re beginners, intermediate players, or preparing for concerts and competitions. I believe that playing the guitar should be both inspiring and enjoyable, and I’m here to support your growth as a musician.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is supportive, structured, and highly adaptable to each student’s needs and goals. Whether you're a complete beginner or already experienced, I focus on building solid technique while also encouraging musicality and self-expression.
I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” – every student is different, and I love helping each person find their unique voice on the guitar. I offer clear step-by-step guidance, but also leave space for creativity, exploration, and fun. For motivated students, I provide custom practice plans, feedback on recordings, and real-time support outside of regular lessons (by arrangement).
My lessons can be classical, fingerstyle, or acoustic-oriented – always focused on real musical progress, not just playing exercises.
Curriculum
My teaching method combines solid technical development with musical understanding and personal expression. I tailor each lesson to the student’s goals, level, and musical preferences, whether they're beginners or advanced players.
For beginners, I use original step-by-step materials I’ve developed, focusing on good posture, sound production, basic music theory, and simple melodies or songs. Each lesson comes with customized exercises, audio examples, and written notes for effective home practice.
For classical guitar students, I often recommend a combination of structured and expressive materials, including:
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Abel Carlevaro – "Cuadernos" (Technical School of the Guitar)
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Scott Tennant – "Pumping Nylon"
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Matteo Carcassi – 25 Études, Op. 60
For fingerstyle or acoustic players, we focus on chord progressions, picking patterns, and developing individual style through personalized song choices. I also create custom arrangements and TABs when needed.
I encourage all students to actively reflect on their progress through practice logs, video recordings, and short check-ins – this creates strong long-term results.
Credentials & Affiliations
I graduated from the Dr. Vojislav Vučković Music High School in Belgrade, specializing in classical guitar. I am currently continuing my education at the Academy of Performing Arts (VŠMU) in Bratislava, where I study classical guitar at the university level.
I have years of experience in performing both solo and in chamber ensembles, and I’ve participated in various concerts, competitions, and masterclasses. Alongside my formal studies, I actively teach students of different ages and backgrounds – with a flexible and student-centered approach.
My teaching is also informed by continuous learning through workshops, collaboration with other musicians, and pedagogical experience, which allows me to adapt to each student’s needs and learning style.