Marko Marusic

Marko Marusic serves as a Lecturer at JAM MUSIC LAB Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Vienna since 2021, teaching guitar across jazz and popular music disciplines. He concurrently holds teaching positions at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music and CON BRIO music school in Vienna. His academic foundation spans classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar training with specialized expertise in Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion traditions.

His educational background includes:

• Master of Arts in Music Guitar Jazz and Pop (JAM MUSIC LAB, 2019, graduated with distinction)
• Bachelor of Arts in Classical Guitar & Instrumental Pedagogy (MDW Vienna, 2016)
• Artistic Diploma for Jazz Guitar (JAM MUSIC LAB, 2015)
• ZkF Flamenco Guitar Studies (Conservatorio Christobal de Morales, Seville, 2011-2015)
• Flamenco Guitar Certification (Fundation de Arte Flamenco, Seville, 2011)
• Acoustic/Electric Guitar Studies (MDW Vienna Institute of Popular Music, 2002-2005)

Marusic's research focuses on the historical intersections of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian salon music with jazz idioms, particularly examining Cha-Cha-Cha and Choro within Bebop contexts. His performance practice integrates flamenco techniques with Latin American rhythmic structures, emphasizing cross-cultural dialogue through ensemble work. This manifests in projects spanning Serbian folklore, Brazilian choro, and contemporary studio productions that bridge traditional forms with modern media applications.

His creative output reveals consistent engagement with Balkan, Latin American, and Iberian musical traditions across performance contexts—from international jazz festivals to film soundtracks. The work demonstrates technical mastery across guitar idioms while prioritizing cultural authenticity in ensemble settings, particularly evident in his direction of Brazilian choro projects and Serbian folklore interpretations.

Notable recognitions include:

• Graduation with distinction for his Master's thesis on Afro-Cuban/Brazilian salon music
• Special recognition from MDW Vienna for percussion expertise and pedagogical leadership

As an educator, Marusic has mentored students across multiple institutions since 2005, including Erdberg Music Center (Vienna), Escuela Municipal de Musica (Seville), and Polyhymnia public music school. His studio collaborations with artists like Renato Henc demonstrate applied research in music-for-media contexts, though formal grant funding isn't documented in available materials.

Marusic actively contributes to ensemble ecosystems including the Improvisations Big Band Orchestra, Barbar Botosova ensemble, and Serbian Folklore Association Bambi, where he applies his percussion expertise within folk and jazz frameworks. His current work bridges academic instruction with professional performance across European festival circuits and media production studios.