Although Dragana taught herself how to play the accordion at the age of 4, her musical prodigy was surprisingly unnoticed by her parents. Dragana began singing at school events and was first asked to perform as a soloist when she was 4 years of age. Her family didn’t recognize her musical abilities, and although Dragana constantly asked her parents for a piano, music classes were simply not affordable.

One pivotal day in Dragana’s life took place when she was singing in a school concert at the age of 15. A famous European opera singer named Octave Enigarescu happened to be in the audience that night. He took a special interest in Dragana, met her parents, and insisted that Dragana take professional music lessons.

While the educational system in Yugoslavia is paid for by the government, enrollment is based on a student’s performance and achievements, and is therefore highly competitive. Needless to say, only a very small percentage of students continue on to higher education.

Due to Octave Enigarescu’s reputation and influence, Dragana was permitted to enter the reputable music high school Isidor Bajic, where she would join the class at the age of 16, pretty late in the game. In a system where professions are decided right after elementary school, she had quite a bit of catching up to do in order to prepare herself for the University of Art, one of the most highly recognized and ranked musical academies in Europe.

Dragana’s first year at the music high school was difficult to say the least, as her peers had such a significant head-start. The general opinion was that it was not likely Dragana or anyone in her position could catch up to the others, since there was so much musical knowledge to absorb in such a short time. At the beginning of her 1st year, she ranked at the bottom of her class, but as Dragana was finally able to study what she loved best, she quickly excelled to the top ranking all within the first 12 months. She attained and maintained this ranking until her graduation and was accepted to the prestigious University of Art, where she received her degree in musical composition.

Throughout her school years she was frequently asked by teachers to tutor other younger students. Dragana was repetitively recognized as having a knack for explaining things to children. In addition to having an after-school job tutoring children while attending the musical academy, Dragana also performed in a number of television programs and theaters through out Yugoslavia as a jazz singer.

Upon moving to Los Angeles, Dragana received her Yamaha Teacher Music Certification by the Yamaha Music Educational Systems in 1996 in Buena Park, CA and was quickly appointed as a lead teacher at Los Angeles Yamaha Music School.

Dragana also researched, studied, and worked with a number of other musical training programs including Piano Play Music System and Music’n’Me, as well as taught music at numerous preschools. She also became certified as a Kindermusik Licensed Educator in 2006 and Music Lingua in 2010.

After years of following other schools’ and programs’ curriculums, she started developing her own music curriculum for young students that strongly connects both the educational side as well as the element of fun. The Do Re Mi curriculum is best understood by experiencing it. It’s difficult to understand how a three year old can learn to play music until you witness it for yourself. Dragana has written all the Do Re Mi Material including: Do Re Mi Musical Medleys Vol. 1 and 2, Do Re Mi For Fun, and she continues to be inspired by working with children. Writing quality material and developing curriculum remains Dragana’s passion and true calling!