The Visual and Performing Arts Department (VPA) at Merrimack College would like to spotlight one of our very own VPA adjunct voice instructors, Daniela Tosic. Tosic has been teaching as a voice instructor at Merrimack College for four years. She feels that she has been fortunate to work with students from a variety of musical backgrounds.
Last year was definitely a very busy and successful year for Tosic. She was an honored recipient of a Cultural Sector Recovery Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Tosic shares, “This Grant has allowed me to complete some of the projects I have been busy with.” This grant allowed Tosic to release three new musical singles, Alvinu Malkeinu, Reche Mama, and Sudbina. “For a number of years, I wanted to record an album of traditional songs from Serbia and Macedonia. Both of these countries are part of my ethnic and cultural makeup,” shared Tosic. This work places her individual perspective, along with her traditional and world fusion music experiences together.
In August 2024, Tosic collaborated with another woman songwriter, Cristi Catt. Both of them completed the second part of the Ella Jenkins podcast episode “Wake Up, Little Sparrow.” They have worked on this podcast series for several years and wished to showcase some of the extraordinary women who have inspired them. One of these women was Ella Jenkins (1924-2024), who recorded one of her most famous songs “Wake Up, Little Sparrow.” The last podcast episode was dedicated to Jenkins and her song.
Fun fact: during post-production Tosic shared the unfinished version of “Wake Up, Little Sparrow,” and Jenkins added the last verse. Tosic expressed, “We are so grateful for this exchange with Ella Jenkins through her music.” Both episodes are now available on YouTube.
In June, 2024, Tosic recorded two songs with her ensemble Tapestry from their program “Postcards from France.” Both songs are in post production. One of Tosic’s songs will be released as a video in 2025.
Lastly, an exciting event in November 2025 is Tosic, Sylvie Zakarian and Marimba will perform at the Congregational Church located in Winchester, MA for their Ripley Chapel concert series. This concert will be live streamed.
Tosic expresses how she starts a musical project by first exploring an interesting theme and then finding the music that conceptually fits the theme. “Inviting other musicians to join the project is always the most exciting part of the project,” explains Tosic. She continues explaining some of the more challenging parts of a project are “working on the logistics, coordinating schedules, securing finances, and rehearsal spaces, and communicating with presenters and venues.” Tosic is a gift to the Music program at Merrimack College. She is experienced and talented. She shares her knowledge with her students by sharing, “Every new musical project is a journey that widens my musical horizons in an exciting way.”
