Nikola Resanovic (born 1955) is a Serbian‑American composer and music educator. He is noted for his contributions to contemporary classical music, particularly works that integrate elements of Balkan folk tradition with modern compositional techniques. Resanovic has served as a professor of composition in the School of Music at the University of Akron in Ohio, where he teaches composition and oversees student ensembles.
Early life and education
Resanovic was born in 1955 in the former Yugoslavia (present‑day Serbia). He emigrated to the United States for higher education, earning a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition. While specific institutions where he completed these degrees are recorded in university biographies, the precise details are not universally documented in publicly available reference works.
Career
Since the early 1990s, Resanovic has been active as a composer and academic. At the University of Akron, he has lectured on composition, theory, and music history, and has directed various student ensembles. His compositions have been performed by regional orchestras, chamber groups, and choral societies across the United States, including performances by the Cleveland Orchestra and the Akron Symphony Orchestra.
Musical style and works
Resanovic’s music frequently draws on melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Serbian and broader Balkan folk music, juxtaposing these with contemporary Western art music idioms. His catalog includes orchestral pieces, chamber music, solo instrumental works, and a sizable body of vocal and choral compositions. Notable categories of his output include:
- Orchestral works – pieces for full orchestra that often feature rhythmic vitality derived from folk dance forms.
- Chamber music – works for mixed ensembles that explore timbral contrasts and extended techniques.
- Vocal and choral music – settings of both sacred and secular texts, many of which incorporate Serbian liturgical and folk material.
Recognition
Resanovic has received commissions from a variety of arts organizations and has been awarded grants from bodies such as the National Endowment for the Arts. He has also been recognized by the University of Akron for his contributions to teaching and composition.
Publications and recordings
Several of Resanovic’s compositions have been published by specialized music publishers and are available in print and digital formats. Recordings of his works appear on albums released by regional classical music labels and on university-affiliated recording projects.
Professional affiliations
Resanovic is a member of professional organizations including the American Composers Forum and the College Music Society. He participates in conferences, festivals, and composer residencies, contributing to panels and workshops on contemporary composition and cross‑cultural music making.
References
- University of Akron, School of Music faculty profile – Nikola Resanovic.
- American Composers Forum member directory.
- Program notes from performances by the Akron Symphony Orchestra and other regional ensembles.
Note: While the core biographical details and career highlights are documented in university and professional organization sources, some specifics regarding dates of education and the complete list of works are not comprehensively covered in publicly available encyclopedic references.
