Meet Sandra

Hi, I'm Sandra! I love singing, but I love it, even more, when children sing with me. That's why I became a composer and singer of songs for children, as well as a music teacher! It’s a real boon to be able to blend words and tones into rhythms, melodies and harmonies, and enable children to enjoy the story and the music. Touch their hearts and minds. Inspire them to move and dance. I hope my songs will reach the remotest corners of the planet and join children in the endless musical fun.

During working days I make music with children in an international school in Beijing, the capital city of China, and on weekends I prepare musical material for the whole world. In particular, I pay attention to my little friends and followers in Balkan countries because I am a Serbian from Novi Sad. I am very proud of my current and former students, a great many of whom have become excellent musicians.

Whenever I read a great text, a melody immediately starts forming in my head. Sometimes the created is made almost on its own, some rhyme or verse which don’t give me peace and I just have to turn them into music. Or a story inspires me. For example, I watched a documentary about the King Penguin and I really liked his life, especially how gently he greets his heart’s chosen. I wanted to immortalize the story and so the song “I’m a King Penguin” was born.

What inspires you to compose songs?

When you were little, did you know that music was going to be your profession?

What do you do when you don’t sing?

What’s your favourite band?

Who’s your favourite composer and singer for children?

Favourite song for adults?

Yes. When I was a child and sang in kindergarten, I used to feel elated. When I first heard the story of “Peter and the Wolf”, I was enchanted. When I started learning the piano, it was natural to me, like a game almost. From an early age, I knew that music is an area in which I’d feel good, safe, and successful and that I’d always want to learn more and more.

Aside from teaching music in school, I compose songs for children, and I create musical arrangements for them. I love painting, and I’ve so far made a few decent art pieces. I love reading books; I could spend my entire vacation on the beach, engrossed in a good book. I also love theatre productions, to watch or to be involved with as an actress or in some other role.

I can’t single out a specific one, but in the top three, I’d put the Eurhythmics, Queen, and the Beatles when we’re talking about songs for adults. If we’re talking about songs for children, it would definitely be the Wiggles, the famous Australian group.

The popular Canadian singer Raffi. There’s no one like him.

Oh, it’s difficult to decide on only one, but I’d say my two all-time favourites are “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and “Fly me to the Moon”.

Favourite children’s song?

When it comes to songs that I’ve composed, I can’t decide on only one. They’re all dear to me. Sometimes, a song which wasn’t promising at the start becomes one of my favourites the more I listen to it. From other people’s songs, it would be “Like Me and You” and “Baby Beluga” by Raffi, taking into consideration the lyrics, the simplicity of the melody and the message. Kids love them.