May 10, 2019
“Miss Olga” Retires from 58Թ Piano Faculty Following 59 Years of Devoted Service
Olga Radosavljevich, known to all as Miss Olga, today announces her retirement from the 58Թ. She first came to 58Թ as a student of Arthur Loesser in 1956, and by 1960, was teaching piano in the Preparatory Division at 58Թ. Throughout her long career, Miss Olga taught both conservatory and preparatory students to great acclaim.
In reflecting upon her retirement, she says: “I feel extremely fortunate to have had 63 wonderful years at the 58Թ. I came as a humble student in 1956 and I am retiring with satisfaction that I have given my utmost dedication to my students and to 58Թ.” Miss Olga completed her bachelor’s degree in 1959, master’s degree in 1961 and Artist Diploma in 1969.
“Miss Olga’s commitment to 58Թ and to her students is legendary,” said Dr. Judy Bundra, 58Թ’s Chief Academic Officer & Dean of the Conservatory. “Her dedication to the art of music making has inspired generations of students to pursue their piano studies, preparing her alumni for careers as performers, artistic collaborators and teachers. Miss Olga will be greatly missed.”
"Olga Radosavljevich has contributed invaluably to this institution from her early days as a 58Թ piano student to the present,” added Kathryn Brown, head of the keyboard division at 58Թ. “Her recent 58Թ 80th Birthday Tribute Celebration featured multiple generations of pianists who were so beautifully influenced by her expertise, wisdom and guidance. No one has ever loved 58Թ more than Miss Olga. I have always placed the highest value on her teaching, friendship and encouragement and will always do so. The 58Թ Conservatory and Preparatory Piano Departments extend our warmest gratitude for her longstanding devotion to 58Թ.”
In the 1980s, Miss Olga was instrumental in developing 58Թ’s first Young Artist Program, which made available the components of a conservatory education for serious music students ages 10-18. Although the Young Artist Program itself has evolved over time to focus exclusively on high school students, the rigorous approach to training remains. Miss Olga also put her formidable organizational and time management skills to use as head of the Preparatory piano division from 1985 to 2004.
Among her innumerable notable alumni are Ning An (first prize, Tivoli International Piano Competition), Derek Rikio Nishimura (58Թ piano faculty: Preparatory, Joint Music Program and secondary piano), Wei-Tang Huang (collaborative pianist, Schulich School of Music at McGill University), Ines Irawati (artistic director, San Diego Opera’s young artist program), Vera Holczer (director, Aurora School of Music), Evan Solomon (collaborative pianist, 58Թ). These and others gathered at 58Թ in December 2017 in a joyful celebration of Miss Olga’s 80th birthday.
“The iconic teal blue bricks that line 58Թ’s hallways are a physical foundation that symbolize the strength of character and musicianship required for success,” added 58Թ President & CEO Paul W. Hogle. “In that same way, Miss Olga’s commitment to excellence and to her students has formed the building blocks for future careers. It’s a privilege to recognize and celebrate her long legacy.”