Building An Empire! Zeljko Pavlovic - Director Vivaldi Music Academy

Want to know how to go from zero students to 4,000? Then this podcast is one you cannot afford to miss. Director of the Vivaldi Music Academy in Houston, Texas, Zeljko Pavlovic gives an amazing interview detailing his journey from humble beginnings to multi million dollar music schools. An accomplished violinist and Bosnian refugee, he has literally lived the American Dream and on this podcast he shares how he got there. Whether you have five students or 500, you can learn a lot from his story.

More about Zeljko Pavlovic, Founder and CEO of Vivaldi Music Academy 

His North American debut performance of the Mendelssohn violin concerto with the Frisco Symphony Orchestra received great acclaim as being “reminded of Fritz Kreisler, there was such natural elegance in Pavlovic’s playing” (The San Francisco Classical Voice).

With his father as his greatest musical influence and a musical heritage that spans two hundred years in his family, Mr. Zeljko Pavlovic began his music education at the age of 3 in Sarajevo, Bosnia. After leaving his hometown, Mr. Pavlovic went on to study at the University of Novi Sad Academy of Arts at the early age of 16 as one of the youngest students. He earned his master’s degree in violin performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Liege, Belgium and won several national and international competitions throughout his career.

As a recitalist, he has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Having developed an equal passion for orchestral playing, Mr. Pavlovic was appointed Associate Concertmaster of Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of the Louisiana Philharmonic. He performs regularly with the Houston Symphony and was honored to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City and in the United Kingdom HD Odyssey Tour. In addition he has had the privilege of sharing the stage with the Houston Symphony in performances of legends such as Tony Bennett, Lang Lang, Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Emanuel Ax, Yo Yo Ma, Smokey Robinson, and Andrea Boccelli.

Having seen first hand the positive impact of music on individuals and communities and as the Founder and CEO of Vivaldi Music Academy, Mr. Pavlovic offers innovative and engaging music programs and serves on various the Board of Directors. Mr Pavlovic was recently named as an honoree for Houston Business Journal's 40 under 40 Class of 2015 and Most Admired CEO in 2020. He enjoys spending time with his two very energetic young children.

Author of "Failure Is Not An Option: My Story of Business, Survival, And Success in Life" Pavlovic shares his life story after his incredible escape from war-torn Bosnia and subsequent arrival in the United States to the opening Vivaldi Music Academy in 2013. The school became an overnight sensation, and since then it has grown into one of the largest music schools of its kind. His unique business acumen has earned him international attention—and now he is telling that story in his own words.

About Vivaldi Music Academy 

Vivaldi Music Academy has been setting a new standard of music education for the past eight years, and has earned numerous accolades along the way— including National Music School of the Year in 2014, Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies list three years in a row, and is one of Houston Business Journal’s 100 fastest growing companies in a three year streak.