Biography:

Julijana Sarac is a versatile musician, acclaimed as a pianist, music scholar, and educator. She earned her undergraduate degree in Vienna and a master’s in piano performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she was awarded the University of Sydney’s International Merit Scholarship. She also holds an Honours degree in musicology from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, and completed her Doctor of Musical Arts at the same institution in 2024.
A dynamic performer, Julijana has graced stages worldwide as a soloist and collaborator. Her performing expertise combined with strong academic background led to a 2024 publication in Music & Science, exploring how audiences perceive tone quality in her piano performances—a rare contribution from a performer to scientific music discourse, emphasizing the artist’s perspective.
Since 2011,

Julijana has been at the forefront of innovative classical music videos, producing over 30 visually striking performances in non-traditional settings. Shared on social media, these videos have amassed millions of views globally, with select classical performances featured on Stingray Classica and other television channels. Her discography showcases her versatility, with solo albums including Mozart & Beethoven (Menart, 2018), Chopin: Nocturnes (Selection) (2021), and Enliven (2020), alongside singles like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Chopin’s etudes. Since 2014, her collaboration with pianist Marija Popovic has produced vibrant crossover music videos blending classical, pop, and world music. Their album Piano Insanity (2021) has gained a global social media following.

Through years of social media exposure and audience feedback, Julijana recognized the pivotal role of visual elements in shaping musical judgments. To explore this phenomenon, she conducted doctoral research at the Sydney Conservatorium, investigating audience perceptions of piano timbre and affirming its multimodal nature. Also, her musicology research explored 21st-century social media performance practices, enriching her own performances with informed artistic decisions. She currently studies tone quality in other pianists’ performances, drawing on 19th-century sources to guide her ongoing work.

With over 20 years of teaching experience, including a tenure at the Sydney Conservatorium’s Open Academy (2016–2021), Julijana delivers masterclasses worldwide, inspiring musicians with her insights into performance and interpretation. She currently serves as president of the World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA) Australia.