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Prior to Berklee…
!

I started studying music at the age of 6, at a private music
school in Serbia.

!

I was trained classically and earned my Honours
Bachelour of Music Degree at UofW in Canada.

!

During Undergrad I have found passion for beatbox flute,
as well as performing contemporary music with classical
instrumentation

!

In my third year of Undergraduate studies I started
performing my own arrangements and transcriptions at
recitals and concerts.

!

Entering Berklee my goal was to discover my artist
identity, expand my knowledge, discover and be exposed
to as many different styles and genres as possible and find
out what music brings out the best of me.

! I found a great appreciation and passion for Latin
music which is why I have started this project.
! I have composed and recorded a few Latin-inspired
songs, that have been performed acoustically with a
band consisted usually of: the flute, piano, bass,
guitar, and Latin percussion.
! In hopes of expanding the audience, and bringing
Latin music closer to people with no Latin
background or experience, this project will later take
a turn in combining the acoustic versions of the
songs with Ableton Live-produced electronic club
beats. (to be explained below)

The Creative Process
!

Coming to Berklee I have found that the setting was
completely different than what I was used to in my previous
Undergrad training

!

I had difficulty improvising and reading lead sheets, which
have replaced my repertoire of orchestral scores.

!

Nonetheless, I was motivated to write my own music, and
in the process of making it, I found my music very much
influenced by Latin music. However to keep the true
identity of the styles, and not having previous experience
with Latin music prior to this year, I chose to NOT label my
songs as particular styles but rather have them be “Latininfluenced” with reminiscent elements of Latin styles such
as: Cha cha cha, Bolero, Guajira, Bachata, etc…

The Creative Process (continued)
!

Beginning stage: Classical, and gradually introducing Latin
elements with each song

!

I Started doing research and studying different genres and styles of
Latin Music.

!

The ensembles as well as arranging courses helped in forming my
compositions because I was able to hear and get to know what the
all the instruments were doing in a particular genre and style.

!

The “101 Montunos” book by Rebeca Mauleón-Santana is one of the
references that really helped me write and understand styles of
Latin music. I have studied from this book and based on it tried
writing my first Latin compositions

!

Some of the artists that I have transcribed during this project along
with many more are: Hubert Laws, Orlando Valle -“Maraca”, Jose
Luis Cortes, Chucho Valdez, Irakere, etc. These artists have also
helped me develop a sense of improvisation in Latin Music

The Progress
- “Miss Thing”
(Transcription with changed groove)
- “A Dress for Revenge”
(Bolero/Guajira)

- “Blueberry Twist”
(Cha Cha Cha)

- “Tibidabo”
(Classical/Bachata)

Hubert Laws “Miss Thing”
u First song I transcribed at
Berklee.
u Added only Latin grooves to the
song

“A Dress for Revenge”
u First original song (Bolero + Guajira)
u Started as an attempt to write some of the styles I have learned
from the “101 Montunos” as well as the music I was exposed to in
the ensembles as well as in Valencia

“A Dress for Revenge” (cont.)
u Although the revised version has added strings, a defined groove
and a richer texture the very first stage of the song had more energy
u This is something that I will bring back in the electronic version* of
the song (*…to be explained bellow)

“Blueberry Twist”
u Second original song
u Cha cha cha influenced
u The idea was to create
something happy, energetic,
and “sweet” with Latin
elements, however not a Latin
style that could be clearly
defined.

“Tibidabo”
u Third original song
u CLASSICAL opening with a
BACHATA development
u *** Intended to portray the
greatness of the cathedral,
the breathtaking and such
powerful moment
approaching it, the
surroundings and most
amazing view…along with
the care-free spirit and
excitement of the amusement
park and everyone’s positive
energy and appreciation***

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The Final project
!

The idea is to sample all of my Latin music inspired
compositions and arrange them into Ableton Live, adding
club beats and synths, (fusing them with House Music, Hip
Hop, Trap, Glitch Hop, etc…)

!

The intent is to reach a wider audience, and meet the
expectations by having a developing club beat with boosting
energy of the bass drop, while still keeping the live factor and
having the audience’s attention at the performer wondering
what they will do next

!

This will also give a sense of Latin music without labeling the
exact style, while it keep will the familiarity of the electronic
club beat.

MISS THING

TIBIDABO

BLUEBERRY TWIST

DRESS FOR REVENGE

+
Ableton Live

Thank you
for listening!