“During a walk with my mother in our small town in northern Serbia, we noticed a notice about enrollment at a music school. I wanted to sign up for piano lessons, but my mother said they wouldn’t buy one because it was too expensive. So I chose the accordion instead. My parents agreed, as at the time they had no idea it would end up costing them even more. Ten years later, I came to Bratislava to study accordion at the Academy of Performing Arts (VŠMU) and needed a professional instrument. I have always preferred playing together with others rather than alone, so I never became a ‘classical’ solo artist. Perhaps this is also because I love Serbian folk songs, which I often sing, play, or dance to. And since klezmer is close to our folklore, I play it and love it very much.”