Mirza Redzepagic MM ’23 Receives Spain’s Order of Civil Merit for Outstanding Flamenco Contributions

Berklee Valencia alumnus Mirza Redzepagic MM '23 was honored with the Order of Civil Merit, a prestigious award from King Felipe VI of Spain, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting Spanish culture and the arts throughout Bosnia.

Having collaborated with the Spanish embassy in Bosnia for the last five years, the flamenco artist expressed gratitude upon receiving the award. “Getting recognized by the officials of another country for promoting culture and arts through flamenco here in Bosnia is a real honor for me,” he said. 

Over the past decade, Redzepagic has dedicated himself to the in-depth study and exploration of flamenco and Spanish culture. Originally from Sarajevo, he moved to Granada, Spain, to study flamenco guitar and has consistently shared this genre with audiences worldwide. Following the release of his second EP, Flamenco Clásicos (2023), his most recent album, Cycles (2024), blends flamenco, jazz, and Balkan music. Last June, he embarked on the album’s promotional tour, performing 10 concerts across nine Bosnian cities.

Redzepagic’s musical journey began at the age of 8,when he first picked up the classical guitar. This early passion for music eventually led him to pursue his studies in classical guitar performance at the Music Academy in Sarajevo, where he graduated with the highest honor. However, it was the flamenco rhythms of the legendary guitarist and composer Paco de Lucía, a constant presence in his childhood home, that sparked a lasting passion for the genre. 

Seeking to further explore this world, Redzepagic moved to Granada with the express purpose of studying flamenco guitar under the guidance of renowned masters Juan Habichuela, Jorge el Pisao, and Ruben Campos.

Redzepagic’s artistic language stands out through its versatility. Even though deeply rooted in flamenco, it weaves together seemingly disparate music traditions, including Balkan, classical, maqam, jazz, and world music, into a contemporary artistic expression.

Having earned his master's degree in contemporary performance (production concentration) in 2023, Redzepagic credits his time at Berklee Valencia for helping him find his artistic signature. “The most important thing I learned at Berklee is that I’m not only a flamenco artist and that I’m able to do more genres. As an artist, it helped me widen my musical language and my style,” he said.

For Redzepagic, Berklee Valencia opened a fresh dimension of flamenco through a contemporary approach, allowing him and his fellow musicians to explore and reinterpret the genre in modern, innovative ways. Redzepagic also expressed his deep appreciation for Berklee's diverse environment, which helped him reconnect with and embrace his Balkan heritage as part of his journey. “The enthusiasm and love for Balkan music among the musicians and students at Berklee inspired me to value my own culture even more,” he added.

Cycles is Redzepagic’s debut album, in which he introduces his own compositions. Of the album's 11 tracks, nine were recorded at Berklee Valencia. The production process was a global collaboration, with fellow Berklee alumna Shabnam Kermani MM '23 serving as the producer. Jesus Martinez MM '23 handled the engineering, working alongside three talented musicians: Santiago Bertel MM '23 on piano, Anthony Lafond MM '23 on drums, and Michael Ventura MM '23 on saxophone.

“Cycles consists of multiple parts. It starts with flamenco, goes through the Middle East, continues with Balkan jazz, and returns to flamenco. That’s why it’s called Cycles,” he explained.

In addition to his solo musical career, the ambitious artist has been leading several projects. For the past seven years, Redzepagic has been curating World Music Fest Zeman in Novi Pazar, southern Serbia, a music festival primarily focused on Balkan and world music. Recently, he also opened a studio in Sarajevo to support his local community, which led to cofounding a record label, REKORD, with his friend Livina Tanovic.

Redzepagic’s journey from a young classical guitarist to an internationally recognized flamenco artist and composer is a testament to his dedication and contributions to the genre. His recent recognition by King Felipe VI with the Order of Civil Merit also showcases the global influence of Berklee alumni. Berklee Valencia has long served as a haven for flamenco, offering a space where the genre continues to flourish and evolve, and where students can refine and master its craft. 

There’s certainly more to come from Redzepagic, who is currently developing a conceptual contemporary album for solo guitar. The project, which was initiated during his time at Berklee Valencia, is scheduled to continue into early 2025. Reflecting on his journey, the artist lives by a simple yet powerful motto: "If you feel it in your heart, go for it."