ABOUT
“Since the dawn of humanity, music has given voice to our spiritual evolution and shaped the identity of the human race. It is our most profound intellectual instrument to unite and to keep the world together." - Dino Zonic
Internationally acclaimed and award winning composer, conductor, and director, Dino Zonic known as the “People’s Maestro”, directed numerous productions across the world such as: Musical Circle at Broadway - NY; European tour of Musical Circle; Opening Ceremonies of Winter Good Will Games - Lake Placid, NY - a TIME WARNER Production; City of London Festival, London-England; Dayton Peace Accords and Dayton Peace Price a special concert series for President Bill Clinton, and the US Department of State; United Through Music a concert for peace in Sarajevo with the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra, members of the USA Orchestra Musicians, Students and International guests; Unity Through Music a concert spectaculars in Dayton, OH, involving 375 performers on stage, performed at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, Music Unites - a special orchestra program and concert with the Centennial High School and the City of Compton music students aired nationally by FOX TV, among others.
Born in Sarajevo and profoundly shaped by the tragedy of war and the Siege of Sarajevo, Maestro Zonic transformed personal and collective suffering into a lifelong mission of peace, unity, compassion, and human dignity.
Witnessing firsthand the devastation of war,
he made a promise:
"If I survived, I would dedicate my life
to using music as a force for peace,
healing, and human connection.”
Rather than letting conflict define his future, Dino Zonic chose a different path—one illuminated by music, hope, and cultural exchange. Through visionary productions, international concerts, and humanitarian initiatives, he has touched audiences across continents, cultures, and generations, inspiring them to believe in the transformative power of our shared humanity and its highest values.
Beyond the stage, Dino Zonic has devoted to creating bridges between people and communities through artistic collaboration and cultural diplomacy.
His productions bring musicians and audiences together in shared emotional music experiences that possesses the power to elevate the human spirit.
His landmark production CIRCLE emerged as a profound artistic response to war, suffering, and division. What began amid destruction evolved into an internationally celebrated work performed across Europe and the United States, including the Broadway stage in New York. Through CIRCLE and many other artistic endeavors, Maestro Zonic has consistently carried a message of peace, resilience, and emotional healing to the world.
Maestro Zonic’s personal journey led him to return to his native Sarajevo with a delegation of 36 American diplomatic officials, politicians, community leaders, with USA music students and professional musicians, to stage a historic Peace Concert, United Through Music, with the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra performed at the Bosnian National Theatre, the subject of a 12-part PBS/Dayton Public Schools documentary series aired in 2005/2006.
For the New Year's Eve concert in Sarajevo, 2018-19, Mr. Zonic conducted the premiere performance of "Bosnian Rhapsody" at the Bosnian National Theatre with the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra with special USA guests Marina Manukian, Violin Concert Master and Filippo Voltaggio Master of Ceremonies. This special event was aired live at the Bosnia and Hercegovina National TV.
In 2020, the special composition "Fatima" for the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra and renowned Mezzo-Soprano, Adema Pljevljak, was premiered in Sarajevo, which Mr. Zonic wrote and dedicated to the youngest victim of the Srebrenica genocide. Aired by the Bosnia and Hercegovina National TV.
Maestro Zonic's productions and concerts were followed by USA and European TV and Media outlets such as USA: E! Channel, FOX, MSNBC, CNN, ABS, CBS, the Public Broadcasting Service TV (PBS), WGN, ThinkTV, Radio-Voice of America, NPR Radio, Radio-WDPR/WDPG-FM; UK: TV- BBC and ABC; Austria: ORF-TV; Germany: RTL and ZDF - TV; HRT - Croatian National Television; BHRT - Bosnia and Herzegovina National Television, among others.
With over 35 years of shaping the music and theatre landscape, musical ambassador Maestro Zonic moves forward with optimism, journeying worldwide to connect, inspire, and “pollinate” humanity through music.
As seen on:
* * *
With unique combination of his spirit, experience, and motivation, he is well-positioned to continue cultivating a lasting legacy in the music world and beyond for many years to come!
Jeffrey Gilson, President Palm Springs Center for the Performing Arts.
* * *
Dino Zonic - "Unity Through Music" Documentary
Golden Karma Awards
Honoring Celebrities and Community Leaders
Maestro Zonic's was the first international winner of the Golden Karma Awards for philanthropic work, joining such luminaries Muhammed Ali, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Angelina Jolie, Jane Seymour, Jessica Biel, and others.
Maestro Zonic was recognized specifically for his work in uniting the world through music — an achievement realized through an ongoing series of global concerts and philanthropic initiatives dedicated to promoting peace, cultural understanding, and humanitarian connection across borders.
Dino Zonic is one of the winners of the ASCAP and American Symphony Orchestra League for outstanding repertoire.
A winner of "40 Under40" - Business Journal Awards - The Dayton Business Journal and Wright State University.
The Marquis Who's Who, powered by the New York Times, recognized and included Dino Zonic into a league of an extraordinary individuals.
Well regarded for his professional longevity, Mr. Zonic started his career in the early 90s, as one of the youngest music conservatory professors in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He became highly regarded professor.
During the siege, he composed and directed Sarajevo Circle, a highly acclaimed majestic Musical, which played in sold-out concert halls and theaters in Europe and the USA. Read more...
Dayton Peace Accords
& Dayton Peace Prize
From 1995 - 2001, Dino Zonic continued his mission in the Dayton Peace Accords and Dayton Peace Prize as Cultural Ambassador of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Music Director, and Composer in Residence of the University of Dayton.
From 1995-2001, for the Dayton Peace Accords and Dayton Peace Prize Mr. Zonic produced numerous events and ceremonies. He designed programs to expose the Bosnia and Herzegovina culture to American culture and lifestyle.
The program was worked on in collaboration with Dr. Bruce Hitchner, Chairman of the Dayton Peace Accords.
In honor of the First Recipient of the Dayton Peace Prize William Jefferson Clinton, Dino Zonic composed an original score, "Symphony Entrata," a Symphony for the fallen defending Sarajevo. The symphony was performed at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) Museum. Read more...
Praised by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, President Bill Clinton, and other world luminaries.
Dino Zonic attributes his work to his parents and his family in Sarajevo, who provided love, support and strong moral values, and continue to be a primary influence in all he does.
* * *
“Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day they face the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs.
With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgement.
With every passing year, many may watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house...
Why?
Because musicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that melody, that phrase, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul.
Musicians are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart.
In that instant, they were as close to magic, to God, and perfection as anyone could ever be.
And they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.”
by David Ackert, L.A. Times