Saša Toperić

Saša Toperić, also written as Sasha Toperich (born 1972) is a Bosnian Israeli concert pianist, diplomat, and human rights advocate, married to Denise Cohen. [ [http://www.msana.com/emarchives/emoct02.asp Emessay Notes October 2002] , "MSANA", October, 2002. Accessed June 13, 2008.]

Concert Pianist

Toperich, born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, began playing piano at the age of four. During his years of study, he won first prize at the piano students competition in Dubrovnik, and scholarships from the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the American-Israel Cultural Foundation, and the Open Society Institute.Brown, Seth. [http://www.coloradocollege.edu/Publications/NewsReleases/MayReleases/SashaToperich.html World Renowned Pianist to Perform at Colorado College] , "Colorado College News Release", April 23, 1996. Accessed June 13, 2008.]

He moved to Jerusalem at the age of 21 in the early 1990s, and served in the Israeli Army. [http://www.musicalmissions.com/cameronpowers/calendarhistory2000.html Calendar 2000] , "MusicalMissions.com". Accessed June 13, 2008.] [Lipman, Steve. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5092/is_200411/ai_n18524830 The Keys To Diplomacy] , "bNET", November, 2004. Accessed June 13, 2008.] He did his formal training at the Rubin Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem, where he received his M.A. in piano, studying under Meira Smailovic, Arbo Valdma, and Irina Berkovich. [http://www.balkandevelopment.org/LessonsLearned/content/speaker_bios.pdf Biographies] , "Balkandevelopment.org". Accessed June 13, 2008.]

He earned his doctoral degree at the Music Academy in Lovran, Croatia, where he studied with Marina Ambokadze.

His performances have been broadcast on radio and television programs in France, Austria, Israel, Brazil, the United States, and the countries of former Yugoslavia. Toperich has performed with conductors such as Zubin Mehta and Kuzushi Ono. His concert at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in 1997 was broadcast nationwide on National Public Radioand earned him a nomination for Best Debut Artist. Known for a combination of sensitivity and technical skill, Toperich is one of the world's premier up-and-coming pianists.

He has represented Israel in concerts throughout the world, as a cultural ambassador from Israel through the Israeli consulate.

Philanthropy and diplomacy

In 1997, he became President of the Children Foundation of UNESCO.

In 1998, he was awarded the title of UNESCO Artist for Peace. In 2001, he resigned his honorary title in protest of UNESCO’s decision not to display the work of Tibetan artists on United Nations premises.

Toperich was appointed the Presidential Envoy of Bosnia to the United States. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. [http://www.unitedsikhs.com/phaldipsingh.html Interview with Phaldip Singh] , "United Sikhs". Accessed June 13, 2008.]

He founded the America-Bosnia Cultural Foundation, which was established to foster stronger cultural and educational ties between the American and Bosnian people. The foundation organizes concerts, exhibitions, lectures, panels, and educational seminars in both Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the US. ABCF’s mission is also to strengthen democratic values in Bosnia and preserve its multiethnic and multicultural character. [ [http://www.daytonproject.org/partners/index.php Partners: Core Partnerships] , "The Dayton Peace Accords Project". Accessed June 13, 2008.]

Toperich also founded the World Youth Leadership Network, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to unite the international youth community through good works and cultural exchange, [Chenn, Zamira. [http://www.jewishpost.com/shalom/Chiune-Sugihara-The-Japanese-Schindler.html Chiune Sugihara, The “Japanese Schindler”] , "Jewish Post". Accessed June 13, 2008.] launching it at the UN Headquarters in New York in April 2004. The WYLN has contributed and donated computers to schools and universities in Liberia, organised a fundraising concert in Monrovia for the Louis Arther Grimes School of Law, and set up an IT centre in Benin in cooperation with the Benin Education Fund and the World Bank to allow students to learn and gain new skills.

References

Persondata
NAME=Toperic, Sasa
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Bosnian Israeli concert pianist, diplomat and human rights advocate
DATE OF BIRTH=1972
PLACE OF BIRTH=Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=