A great man is one who collects knowledge the way a bee collects honey and uses it to help people overcome the difficulties they endure - hunger, ignorance and disease!
- Nikola Tesla
Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.
- Franklin Roosevelt
While their territory has been devastated and their homes despoiled, the spirit of the Serbian people has not been broken.
- Woodrow Wilson
On July 10th, 1856, a boy was born at midnight during a lightning storm in present-day Croatia. Twenty-eight years later, he would come to America with virtually nothing but his education and a mind unlike any other. He would change the world forever with alternating current – the form of electricity we use to this day. He would go toe-to-toe with Thomas Edison, one of the most powerful men on the planet, who did everything he could to get in his way. He would suffer from mental illness in a time before proper diagnosis and treatment were available. He would be admired by scores of women but would never marry or have children, as he feared they would distract him from his work. He would fail at just as many endeavors as he succeeded at. Because he took no royalties for his AC patents, ensuring that safe, cheap electricity would reach every corner of the globe, he would die broke, alone, and insane. After his death he would be largely forgotten as he left behind no companies or children.
His name was Nikola Tesla. This is his story – the man, the myth, the musical.
This group was formed in early January of 2013 by Gordana Stojanovic Mihajlovich and its members all posses a deep passion for singing. They hope to grow and make this group a success not only in Phoenix, but also through Serbian communities across the world.
Breze hopes to further educate young people of the Serbian Diaspora about Serbian culture and traditions as well as present the heritage of Serbian ethnic music. Breze aspires to encourage younger generations to be get involved in their Serbian heritage and traditions. They also hope to encourage the continuation of traditional songs in the Serbian Orthodox culture and faith as an important part of the participants' lives.
Breze has been extremely active since their start. Their performances include: the St Sava Day celebration in Phoenix, the Global Village festival in Gilbert, the Stevan Hristich Liturgical Concert in Phoenix, and SSF Festival in Lansing, IL. They are looking forward to performing at Diocesan Days in Los Angeles in September, and at the annual Stevan Hristich choir concert in October 2013. They are also looking to traveling to Chicago with the choir in November.
The members of Breze are: Alexis Baich, Marina Lazarevic, Vesna Lazarevic, Natasha Novakovic, Nina Novakovic, Sasha Pasic, Stefany Pasic, Mihaila Tuba and Marija Knezevic. They are directed by Gordana Stojanovic-Mihajlovich, with a help of assistant director, Ivana Njegovan.
Breze also has a group of great people behind the scenes supporting the team of singers: Mila Baich, choir president, as well as other members of the supporting staff, Slavica Ristic, protinica Kristina Tuba and Kristi Lazarevic. The group is also greatly accepted and supported by many members of the St Sava parish in Phoenix, Arizona, led by very reverent father Dragomir Tuba. Breze are looking forward to the future projects and songs! Stay tuned…