Instructors
Daniella Vranesevic
Dance Director
A native to the Pittsburgh area, Daniella’s passion for dance and music started at a very young age. She participated in various junior tamburitzan ensembles growing up including: AVALA Folklore Ensemble, St. Nicholas Junior Tamburitzans, Srbadija Folklore Ensemble, and of course The Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne! Daniella was blessed to have parents and family who also grew up in folklore and helped guide her to follow down the same path. Upon graduation, she continued perpetuating her Eastern European culture as a member of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has assisted, taught, and choreographed for a few junior groups in the Pittsburgh area, such as the St. Nicholas Junior Tamburitzans, The Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne, Folklore Ensemble Tanac, and Jedinstvo Folklore Group. Currently, she performs with 2 adult folklore groups in the area: Javor Pittsburgh, and LJELJO Folklore Ensemble, where she serves on both non-profit boards of directors and assists as dance director. Daniella is excited for the opportunity to teach JTD this year and portray her talents and passion to the younger generations.
Daniella resides in Hampton Township with her husband (you may know him ;) and their 21-month old son Dejan. They are active members in their Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville, participating in their church choir board and directing on Sundays. Daniella works as a speech-language pathologist at North Allegheny School District. She is also a special education compliance specialist and supervisor for Soliant Health, York County Intermediate Unit, and Philadelphia City Schools.
J.T. Kordesich
Dance Director
J.T. has been a student of folk dancing since the age of five. Through his youth, he was a member of several folklore groups around the Pittsburgh area, including Jedinstvo, Golden Triangle Tamburitzans, Ensemble Srbadija, and the Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne. He later went on to become a member of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, while earning his degrees in History and Social Studies Education.
J.T performs with the adult dance ensemble Folk Faktory, tambura orchestra Javor Pittsburgh, and is a member of the band Orkestar Pobeda. He currently works as a teacher and afterschool programs director at Total Learning Academy in Wexford, and lives in Gibsonia with his wife, Julia.
Nikola Vranesevic
Musical Director
Nikola began teaching JTD in 2011. His Tamburitzan career started when he became a member of the Junior Tamburitzans of Duquesne at the age of eight. Nikola graduated from Duquesne University in 2013 where he obtained a degree in Music Education, and was a member of the renowned Duquesne University Tamburitzans where he was primarily a musician playing a variety of instruments.
Nikola is currently employed by the North Hills School District where he teaches orchestra, grades 7-12. Nikola is also a member of T.S. Ponoć and Orkestar Pobeda who perform for ethnic social events. Nikloa resides in Allison Park with his wife, Daniella.