Ivan Jovanović is a sought-after collaborative pianist and vocal coach recognized for his rich understanding of the classical canon and Slavic opera repertoire. Jovanović’s music education began in Serbia at the Belgrade University of Arts, Faculty of Music where he completed his BMus and MMus in piano performance. During his studies in Belgrade, Jovanović was recognized for his solo piano performances, claiming prestigious awards at state competitions. In 2004, he joined Belgrade Opera Orchestra as a répétiteur and concert pianist, firstly at the Young Artist Program (Operatic Studio). In 2005 he joined the staff as a principal vocal coach, mastering an enormous opera repertoire under the baton of the chief conductor Dejan Savic. While working with Maestro Savic, Jovanović honed his skills both at the piano and harpsichord for productions of Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck), Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart), Don Giovanni (Mozart), Il matrimonio segreto (Cimarosa), L’Italiana in Algeri (Rossini), Hassan-Aga’s Wife (Kambasković), and L’amour des trois oranges (Prokofiev).
In the Belgrade National Theatre, Jovanović had the extraordinary opportunity to work closely with internationally celebrated conductors, such as Dorian Wilson, Mladen Jagust, Jon Janku, Ilmar Lapins, Simone Fermani, Srboljub Dinic, Marco Berdondini and David Porcelijn. During composer/conductor Johannes Harneit’s residency in Belgrade, Jovanović was the main répétiteur for the productions of Salome (Strauss) and Carmen (Bizet).
After a recital series in Toronto, Jovanović fell in love with Canada. He returned to Toronto to complete his MMus. in Collaborative Piano from the University of Toronto under the professorship of Steven Philcox, to further his knowledge of opera, art song, and oratorio. After winning the 2013 prestigious Gwendolyn Williams Koldofsky Prize in Accompanying, he joined the UofT Opera Division as a vocal coach and pianist. Presently, he is a regular vocal coach and harpsichordist in UofT’s Early Music Department and Schola Cantorum. In 2018, Jovanović began his collaboration with Toronto Lyric Opera as the primary vocal coach/harpsichordist. From 2014 to present, Jovanović has been the accompanist at Toronto City Opera and in 2017 extended his role to Music Director. Jovanović loves how his work with TCO brings him even closer to the Toronto music community and audience.