ACCORDIONIST AND MUSIC EDUCATOR

"Milivojevic's artistry on the humble button accordion took the breath away”  — The Independent 

Following his studies in Serbia, award-winning accordionist Miloš was awarded a full scholarship from the Royal Academy of Music where he became the first accordionist ever to win the RAM Club Prize open to all instrumentalists and was the winner of the prestigious Derek Butler London Prize at the Wigmore Hall.

Miloš has premiered many works and appeared with the London Mozart Players, Russian Virtuosi, London Sinfonietta, Filharmonika Orchestra, Chroma Ensemble and the Chorus of Opera North. In 2021 he performed the Piazzolla Double Concerto with guitarist Craig Ogden and the Orchestra of the Swan in a virtual concert and in 2022 he performed the Jonathan Dove Accordion Concerto ‘Northern Lights’ with St Paul’s Sinfonia, London. In 2022, Miloš performed in Graeae Theatre and the BBC Concert Orchestra’s production of Errollyn Wallen’s groundbreaking opera ‘The Paradis Files’ which was recorded for BBC Radio 3.

Miloš has performed at many venues and festivals across the UK and around the world.  He has appeared with orchestras and opera companies and is a member of the London Tango Quintet, Kosmos Ensemble, AccordDuo and the Balkan group Paprika.  He regularly performs with guitarist Craig Ogden and violinists David Juritz and Lizzie Ball and his playing is featured on the award-winning Bollywood movie 'Barfi'. He has performed tango live in front of millions on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing TV programme.Miloš was awarded an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music ARAM for his contribution to music. He is an official artist and exclusively performs on Pigini Accordions.

Miloš’s debut solo CD “Accord for Life” is available on the Nimbus label. 

VIOLINIST AND MUSIC EDUCATOR

Serbian violinist Anja Milivojević obtained her BMus and Masters degree at the Music  Academy in Belgrade and has been in demand as a soloist and chamber musician, performing  across Europe and Asia. 

In Serbia, Anja has performed with renowned ensembles, including the Serbian Radio  Television Symphony Orchestra, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, Contemporary Ensemble  Metamorphosis, and Makris Symphony Orchestra.  

In 2022, Anja appeared with the Radio Symphony Orchestra at the River Festival Belgrade,  performing alongside Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Bryn Terfel, and Željko Lučić. 

In 2023, Anja moved to London, working with the Tchaikovsky Camerata Orchestra,  Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra, Gabrieli Consort & Players, Marcel Sinfonia, The Rock  Orchestra and Longborough Festival Opera. Together with the violinist David Juritz she has  appeared at the Dean and Chadlington Music Festival and Burton Bradstock Music Festival. 

Anja has a number of years of experience as a violin professor at the Josif Marinković music  school in Belgrade and currently teaches violin with Raised by Music in Streatham, London.

POETRY AND GARDENING

In charge of our ‘Poetry in the Potager’ series, Alexandre is responsible for the vegetable garden at Clos de Gaye and is also our resident beekeeper. Anything you wish to know about bees, Alexandre is your man! A passionate writer and reader of poetry and a deep spiritual thinker, Alexandre will have you exploring the more lyrical and inspired part of life!

CHEF AND FOOD ENTREPRENEUR

Benjamin is a photographer specializing in documentary, human-centered photography. His goal is to capture the energy and personality of every person he encounters, and tell their story in the most captivating way possible. His work is often described as photojournalistic, combined with a cinematic aesthetic that creates a powerful connection between authenticity and storytelling.

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

With a background in outdoors leadership and creative education, Hannah brings the revolutionary Pre-Texts model, developed by Harvard Professor Doris Somer, to use language and literature as a tool to access language and meaning for young people. Hannah is also a jazz pianist and talented writer.

PEACE ACTIVIST AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

Janessa Gans Wilder is a former CIA officer focused on the Middle East turned peacebuilder, social entrepreneur, and nonprofit executive. For over a decade, Janessa provided the vision and leadership to grow Euphrates Institute into a global network of changemakers and peacebuilders in 40 countries. She leads transformative Travel Study programs to Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Jordan, focused on listening to the ‘Other’. Previously, Janessa taught political science at Principia College, and was a consultant to the State Department. Janessa is a frequent speaker in interfaith, community, government, international, and educational settings. She has written dozens of articles and been interviewed by major news outlets, including CBS, CNN, Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, Democracy Now, and many more.