Biography
A life on six strings.
Petar Jankovic began his guitar studies at age eight in Serbia and earned a degree in classical guitar from the renowned Belgrade Music Academy. At sixteen he gave his first professional performance; by twenty he was already teaching.
He came to the United States for a Master of Music and an Artist Diploma at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying with Ernesto Bitetti. Today he serves as Professor and Chair of the Guitar Department at Jacobs — one of the world's leading conservatories.
Steve Marsh of London’s Classical Guitar Magazine concluded that “Everything is top quality. This player managed to infuse some of these war-horses with new vigor and outlook. All together a very enjoyable and rewarding new release.” He has won prizes in Madrid, Mexico City and Bloomington, and toured throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Recording & collaboration
Petar has released six albums — from the Spanish and Latin-American colors of Romantico (1999) and Leyenda (2007) to the contemporary Bogdanovic, Brouwer & Dyens, and two celebrated albums with string quartet and guitar ensemble — From Spain to Tango and Compassionate.
His latest, Samboro (2025, HR Recordings), is a duo project with Brazilian guitarist and IU colleague Daniel Duarte — a musical dialogue between Balkan and Latin American traditions.
Teaching
As Chair of the Guitar Department, Petar mentors undergraduate, master's and doctoral students, and leads master classes throughout the United States and Europe.
Education
- M.M., Indiana University Jacobs School of Music — 2002
- Artist Diploma, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music — 1998
- B.M., Belgrade Music Academy — 1995