2008
Visnja is a judge in the inaugural "Limelight" songwriting competition, Yarra Ranges
2007
Visnja and family moved to the Yarra Valley
2006
Visnja had a gorgeous baby girl in February
Moved to Hepburn Shire to escape Melbourne traffic!
Composed and recorded music for "Zingara the Gypsy Queen", Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast.
2005
Performed for Malaysian Royal Family
Composed score for "Fruits of Love" short film by Jessica Leslie
Recorded new album Kitchen Fairytales
Performed in Club Acoustica, broadcast on Channel 31
Visnja was born in Adelaide, South Australia. Her parents are Croatian, hence her unusual name. Although none of her family was musical, she was captivated by music as a youngster, learning recorder, choral harmony, piano and violin. Visnja composed her first piece at the age of 11 and went on to win several eisteddfods as a performer in her teens. Her sister introduced her to fantasy literature and illustration which Visnja loves to this day.
In her teens choosing between her two loves, visual art and music, Visnja decided to concentrate on music, specialising in the recorder whilst studying Arts. However she became frustrated with university culture and left to pursue composition on her own terms.
What followed was years of writing, recording and performing with other musicians. Visnja honed her piano vocal skills performing in five star hotels around Australia.
In 1997 Visnja moved to Melbourne, Australia's second largest city, but arguably the nation's artistic heart. Around this time Visnja was introduced to Mark Holden, who later became an Australian Idol judge. Visnja worked with Mark and his business partner Jack Strom for several years.
Mark encouraged Visnja to set up her own recording studio and helped further her career through his and his business partner's contacts in the music industry.
2002 delivered a breakthrough. Visnja won two categories in the nationwide MusicOz song competition: Best Classical Entry for her English/Spanish aria La Lumbre and Best World Music Entry for Circle Dance, sung in Croatian. By winning two categories judges noted this was an important musical achievement from a single artist.
An Australian institution on Channel 9, Carols by Candlelight 2002 was Visnja's debut concert appearance before a live arena audience of 35,000 and a television audience of 4 million. Visnja sang her award-winning La Lumbre with full orchestra and choir. Following her performance, Visnja was invited by Charlie Delaney of Hi-5 to sing at her wedding in 2003. 10.
Visnja spent much of 2003 recording her debut album Mermaid. She performed original songs from the album on seveal TV shows and expanded her fan base at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. Visnja was invited by Lexus to sing at their national launch of the LS430 luxury car in Sydney. Visnja composed music especially for the launch and performed songs from Mermaid. Lexus commissioned a special order of 200 CDs for the occasion. The year finished with a live concert for SBS radio and television in Federation Square, Melbourne.
In 2004 Visnja continued to perform and write for special events.
...