Short Biography

I am a Macedonian-Swedish classically trained clarinetist educated in Sweden, the USA and my native Macedonia (Blago J on all music streaming platforms). I live two parallel professional musical lives: performing Western classical music and folk music from my homeland. Beyond these two musical worlds, I enjoy blending them into a unique artistic expression, while preserving the authentic character of both traditions. Combining the sensibility of the Western classical tradition with Macedonian folk music, I have developed a distinctive musical style that bridges two rich musical cultures, as heard on my two albums, Nostalgic Love and Nostalgic Love 2, creating a place for folk music in concert halls. The accompanying instruments, however, draw on a variety of Western musical styles, creating a fusion of traditions that reflects both heritage and innovation. Influenced by this broad musical landscape, my performances offer a deeply expressive and artistic concert experience. My original compositions are not always rooted in traditional Macedonian melodies; they are often inspired by a broad range of Western musical influences. Yet, through the use of folk ornaments, phrasing, and asymmetrical folk rhythms, they remain deeply connected to my musical heritage. I originally developed this approach for my own artistic fulfillment. Over the years, fellow musicians - particularly in my homeland - have come to refer to it as "Blagoj's Style", while my sheet music has been purchased and studied by university students and educators throughout Europe, the USA and Asia.

The emotional reaction of a listener has been one of the strongest inspirations behind the evolution of my musical expression, guiding me toward a musical path that did not yet exist when I first began shaping it in the autumn of 2004.

I hold a Master’s degree in classical music performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University (2010-2012) and a Bachelor's degree in classical music performance from Lund University – Malmö Academy of Music (2005-2008). My academic journey also includes a year of study at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan (2008–2009) and another at DePaul University in Chicago (2012–2013), as well as a one year course in interpretation at the Malmö Academy of Music - Lund University (2004-2005). (See below for my main teachers)

Now based in Malmö, Sweden, I have performed in 15 opera productions at Malmö Opera, each lasting around four months, and have collaborated with leading cultural institutions, including a full-season contract at Stockholm City Theater for the 2019/2020 production of Fiddler on the Roof, starring Pia Johansson and Dan Ekborg. I have taught in the folk music departments at Lund University and Gothenburg University, both in Sweden, for two years each. From 2012 to 2014, I served on the faculty of The New Music School in Chicago, USA. In the autumn of 2025, I led classical music masterclasses at the Universities of Sarajevo and University of Banja Luka, and also held a three-day workshop in Sarajevo, delving deeply into the music from my albums.

Guided by curiosity, a love of travel, and a free-spirited approach to life, I bring a cosmopolitan sensibility to my work, shaped by a deeply personal musical voice, emotional awareness, and a quiet responsibility toward our society.

I began touring at the age of 13 as part of a youth folk group from my hometown of Veles, and have since performed across Europe, as well as in the United States, Canada, Japan, and China.

Awards and Recognition

My artistry has been honored with several prestigious awards. In June 2022, I received a €14,000 Punktstipendium from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee. Earlier achievements include First Prize at the Barnett Foundation Clarinet Competition in Chicago (2008), with a $9,000 award. During my studies at Lund University in Sweden (2004–2008), I was granted multiple merit scholarships totaling €9,500.
My studies at DePaul University, Michigan State University, and the Chicago College of Performing Arts were also supported by full-tuition scholarships.