Mak Grgić: A USC Homecoming
By Mia Arevalo
Grammy-nominated classical guitarist and Thornton alum Mak Grgić returns to campus for a special alumni concert.
In a remarkable homecoming at USC, Grammy-nominated classical guitarist Mak Grgić (MM ’12, DMA ’16, GCRT ’20) returned to USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute’s Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall for a special alumni concert. Performing selections from his critically-acclaimed album Mak|Bach, the evening was an incredible celebration of artistry.
Grgić, whose career spans projects not only as a musician, but also as an educator and entrepreneur, described the event as deeply emotional. “There was a sense of nostalgia. Definitely positive nostalgia,” he shared in an interview following the concert. “I carry lots of fond memories of my time at USC [Thornton]. Lots of friendships, relationships being built. [I] very much enjoyed my time also studying with the faculty there.”
The concert featured classic works by Bach with pieces that reflected Grgić’s personal journey and Slovenian heritage: “The first piece was by Bach and I played it many times when I was a student also.” The evening’s program drew from his Mak|Bach album, a direct extension of his doctoral thesis at USC Thornton. “Specifically, it was on the exploration of Middle Eastern musical systems and how they apply themselves on the classical guitar or guitar at large.”
When asked if he anticipated his current success during his time as a student, Grgić was candid. “Definitely not,” he said. While he had a trajectory in mind, the pandemic reshaped his career in unexpected ways, opening avenues into the tech startup world and deepening his focus on composition and recording. “I did not anticipate doing, let’s say, non-touring things such as compositional aspirations and a variety of recording projects that then ended up happening. What I did anticipate is that I would be doing my best to achieve something that I set my mind to, right? I am a driven individual. And so, whatever were to happen, I know I would’ve done my best to achieve that.”
Grgić emphasized the importance of preparing students for life beyond academia. “For me, the lessons that are important are, in fact, less academic. They’re more about how to actually survive as an artist.” Building on that, he emphasized the value of collaboration for a thriving artistic career, noting, “And then, I think the third thing would be just how important it is to create long-lasting partnerships and friendships when collaborating with other musicians, how important for a career that is. That’s a lesson, I think, that everyone should internalize.”
Reflecting on his own time at Thornton, Grgić shared a lesson from Pepe Romero: “There is no stage fright if you feel like you’re accompanied by your friend, the guitar.”
Beyond the concert stage, Grgić’s entrepreneurial ventures further showcase his creativity. “Notey, which is a set of music education games that users play using their instruments, was an idea that I had for a little bit, but the pandemic… gave me time to assemble things.” As stated on its official website, “Notey Inc. is a leading innovator in music education technology and gaming, dedicated to creating tools that enhance the music teaching and learning experience for music learners worldwide.” Notey bridges the gap between conventional music instruction and modern technology, making music learning accessible, engaging, and effective for students of all ages and educators alike.
Looking ahead, Grgić’s future is filled with collaborations and performances. Grgić describes this time on stage as a form of meditation. “For me, what makes it worth it right now is that I see performing as a way of meditating. Just kind of detaching from real-world issues. When I’m on stage, it’s just about the notes, just about the beauty, just about the music, just about connecting with the audience. That’s the only thing I’m interested in and I forget everything else.”
***
Written by Mia Arevalo (27’), student journalist at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism on assignment for the USC Thornton Office of Communications. (Featured photo by Anthony Avellano)
