EDIN DINO ZONIC
Composer/Conductor/Director

Maestro Edin Dino Zonic was born and raised in Olympic city of Sarajevo, in the area of the world known as Bosnia and Herzegovina. But the Sarajevo of Dino’s youth, once hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful cities did not remain so. The terrible ravages of the war and aggression would terrorize the people and scar this once proud capital. The war profoundly affected the course of Dino Zonic’s life and career. This life altering experience would inspire Maestro Zonic to dedicate his work to the service of life affirming music; music that bridges cultural, national and religious barriers to bring a universal message of peace and hope to all people. 

Named as Cultural Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina he rose from that war to become The Balkans’ most prominent composer, conductor, and director; creating deeply emotional, highly kinetic, and powerfully dynamic musical works.

Though his instruments and composing tools were destroyed by the bombs of war, the heart and soul of Zonic’s music could not be crushed. From those ravages, it survived, flourished, and as a result, his mission is bringing unity on earth by awakening the spirit of humanity through the language of music.

His music raises the consciousness of his audiences telling stories through music where unity and truth triumph over hatred and tyranny; expressing themes and concepts in music that celebrate life and the survival of the human spirit over unimaginable adversity.

“Unity is not something we wait for, it is something 
we bring, and now is the time.”

Maestro Zonic was awarded the 2006 Golden Karma Award for Philanthropic works, as further testament to his dedication to promoting global peace. He joins the ranks of honorees including Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Angelina Jolie, Jane Seymour, Muhammad Ali, and several other philanthropic leaders. He is the first to be recognized for his efforts in uniting the world through music. (read more)

Dino Zonic is the composer, conductor and director of numerous productions through out Europe and the United States. He partnered with Mrs. Beth Louse Duke to form the production company - Red Oak Productions. Their recent triumphs in international productions and peace concerts successfully spread the message of unity and as well secured funds and supplies for the musical 
and educational institutions.  

He has conducted and collaborated with numerous productions and orchestras such as: Musical Circle, Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Miami Valley Philharmonic Orchestra, Stivers Philharmonic Orchestra, WSU Community Orchestra, US Air Force Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Crane Music School Symphony Orchestra, Good Will Winter Games-Lake Placid 2001, Little Stars (World Champion Girls Choir) among others...

Dino Zonic's work and his mission of unity have been recognized and praised by many such as His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, President Bill Clinton and other world luminaries.

Maestro Zonic is the Founder and President of the International Culture Mission Musical “Circle”, which was performed for four years in famous theatres and concert halls in Europe and United States such as: “Theatre an der Wien” Vienna-Austria; City of London Festival;“Irish Art Center” Broadway-New York; “Vatroslav Lisinski” Concert Hall, Zagreb -Croatia; “Schuster Performing Arts Center” Dayton-Ohio etc.

He was invited to continue his mission in the Dayton Peace Accords Project as music director, composer in residence and Cultural Ambassador. For the Dayton Peace Accords and Dayton Peace Prize he composed music and directed numerous events. Symphony Entrata was composed in honor of the first recipient of the Dayton Peace Prize, William Jefferson Clinton. (read more)

The American Symphony Orchestra League and ASCAP recognized winners and outstanding winning repertoires_at the awards ceremony and celebration at its 57th National Conference, June 11-15, 2002. First place award-winning repertoire: Balances by Michael Bashaw, Sandy Bashaw and Dino Zonic; and August 1956 by Michael Bashaw, Sandy Bashaw and Dino Zonic. 

In 2004 he was the Winner of 40 Under 40 - Business Journal Awards 2004 - The Dayton Business Journal and Antioch University McGregor sponsored 
by Wright State University.

Time Warner Production commissioned Maestro Zonic to produce orchestration of the Led Zeppelin’s classic - “Kashmir” (symphonic orchestra, electric violin and exotic percussions), for opening ceremonies of the “Winter Goodwill Games 2000” in Lake Placid, performed with Crane Symphony Orchestra, Time Warner Production.

In 2000 Maestro Zonic was invited by his Holiness the Dalai Lama to contribute to the Concert for Tibet in Bangalore, India.

Mr. Zonic began his musical education at the age of six on the piano. He graduated from high school music conservatory on piano, bassoon, and theoretical subjects, and following a two-year prep-conservatory for composition, he continued his education on A-I class of composition at the University of Sarajevo - Music Academy in Sarajevo. Mr. Zonic specialized in composition and direction under the Master Professor Josip Magdic of Croatia. In 1992, his graduate Masters studies at the Music Academy in Sarajevo were disrupted by war.

“The Composer,” a film based on his life is presently in pre-production.

Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra at Unesco

Watch Documentary
22 min.

Winner of Golden Karma Awards 2006
(read more)

2002 ASCAP/League
Awards for Adventurous Programming
Award-winning repertoire

Winner of 40 Under 40
Business Journal Awards 2004

Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina