Biography

Nina Rakić (b. 2000) is a Serbian conductor whose artistic identity is defined by a combination of intellectual depth, emotional sensitivity, and a humanistic approach to music-making. She is rapidly establishing herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary classical music, recognized for her artistic precision, expressive clarity, and strong interpretative presence.

She began her musical education at the Music School “Petar Krančević” in Sremska Mitrovica (Serbia), where she studied piano with excellent academic results. Alongside piano, she expanded her musical training through studies in percussion and solo singing, developing a broad and versatile musical foundation. Nina possesses absolute pitch, which has further contributed to the development of her refined auditory awareness and interpretative accuracy.

Since 2018, she has worked as an assistant conductor and accompanist with the choir “Serbica,” under the mentorship of Prof. Vladimir Opačić, MA, at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. This early professional engagement provided her with valuable experience in choral preparation, ensemble coordination, and rehearsal methodology, marking the beginning of her conducting practice.

She was admitted to the Faculty of Music in Belgrade in 2019, where she studied Conducting in the class of Prof. Biljana Radovanović-Brkanović, MA. She graduated in 2023 with an exceptional GPA of 9.95, and during her final examination, she conducted the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence “Stanislav Binički,” receiving the unanimous highest evaluation from the commission.

She continued her academic development at the same institution, completing her Master’s studies in Conducting in 2024 under Maestro Bojan Suđić, with a perfect GPA of 10.00. During her Master’s studies, she conducted the Symphony Orchestra of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS Symphony Orchestra), gaining significant experience with a leading professional orchestral ensemble in Serbia.

She is currently completing specialist academic studies in Conducting under the mentorship of Maestro Bojan Suđić, maintaining the highest academic performance (10.00). As part of her specialist final examination, she conducted a concert with the Royal String Orchestra of Saint George under the royal patronage of HRH Prince Filip Karađorđević. Under her leadership, this distinguished ensemble—whose collaboration began in 2025—performed successfully in several important venues, including the National Museum in Belgrade, the Dobrica Milutinović Theatre in Sremska Mitrovica, and an open-air concert as part of the international festival Lux Aurelis – Roman Days, supported by the European Union.

Throughout her education, Nina has received numerous awards at national and international competitions. She has been a recipient of scholarships from the Fund for Young Talents of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Serbia, the City of Sremska Mitrovica, as well as a scholarship for exceptionally gifted students awarded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development. She is also a recipient of the Saint Sava Award of the City of Sremska Mitrovica, as well as the award “Successful Individual in the Field of Culture and Sport,” recognizing her contribution to cultural development and her engagement in projects supporting persons with disabilities and promoting cultural accessibility.

In 2025, following a successful audition, she was appointed Assistant Music Director of the Southampton University Symphony Orchestra for the 2025/2026 season. She began collaboration with British conductor Matthew Lloyd-Wilson (Guildford Symphony Orchestra and Southampton University Symphony Orchestra) and enrolled in the Master’s program in Music Performance at the University of Southampton, one of the leading academic institutions in the United Kingdom.

Her international artistic experience includes collaborations with ensembles such as the Metamorphosis String Ensemble, the Szeged Symphony Orchestra, the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, the Belgrade Chamber Orchestra (comprising musicians of the Belgrade Philharmonic), the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence “Stanislav Binički,” and the Symphony Orchestra of Radio Television of Serbia. She has also collaborated with distinguished artists, including pianist Stefan Đoković, soprano Nevena Đoković, Prof. Maja Mihić, Prof. Sonja Radojković, and conductors Bojan Kljajić and Prof. Vladimir Opačić.

In 2022, she co-founded the Chamber Orchestra “Sonore” (KOS), together with colleague Bojan Kljajić. As the artistic leader of the ensemble, she has conceptualized and realized numerous projects that combine artistic excellence, educational engagement, and social impact. These include orchestral concerts in collaboration with academic and professional musicians, interdisciplinary performances, and projects aimed at expanding access to classical music.

Notable projects include performances supported by the City of Sremska Mitrovica and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, collaborations with leading academic performers, and appearances on national television programs such as RTS’s “I Love Classical Music”, where she conducted works by Lehár, Gounod, and Saint-Saëns, performing alongside prominent soloists.

Her artistic work is characterized by a focus on musical structure, emotional authenticity, and collective artistic dialogue. She approaches conducting as an act of communication and responsibility, aiming to transform musical interpretation into a shared and meaningful experience between performers and audience.