From Sarajevo to Wycombe Abbey: The Musical Journey of Maja Bilic.
10 December 2025 - All
When Maja Bilic sits at the piano in Wycombe Abbey’s Music Department, her story resonates far beyond the notes she plays. In April 1992, as conflict engulfed Yugoslavia, Maja fled Sarajevo, with her mother and two young children. What began as a journey for survival eventually led her to England, where her passion for music became the foundation of a remarkable career.
Maja’s love for the piano started before the age of seven. Her father owned a piano, and she would spend time improvising and making up melodies before formal lessons began. ‘I went to music school, and during the first year I wasn’t saying much, so my parents thought about taking me out,’ she recalls. ‘But my teacher said, ‘No, she’s the best!’ From then on, it went from a pleasant learning experience to something I truly loved and wanted to do for the rest of my life.’
After arriving in England in 1992, Maja initially focused on raising her children while teaching privately. She later worked in other schools before discovering Wycombe Abbey. ‘I found the school so friendly,’ she says. ‘Everyone here including, Sarah McClure (Assistant Director of Music) and Nick Robinson (Organist), made me instantly feel like I belonged. It doesn’t matter what country you’re from; you feel the connection straight away.’
For Maja, teaching is about more than music. ‘I want to make a difference to the girls,’ she explains. ‘I’m not just a teacher; I want to build a good rapport and make them feel supported in all aspects. Seeing someone grow from UIII to A Levels and then head off to university is lovely.’ Her approach is rooted in flexibility and dedication, often staying late or arriving early to ensure her pupils thrive. ‘I don’t put energy and love into teaching because I want something in return, I just want to make a difference.’
She hopes her students carry music with them for life. ‘Not just for Grade 8 or a diploma,’ she says. ‘Piano is complete, you don’t need accompaniment, and it’s therapeutic, a great outlet.’ That philosophy extends to creativity. Featured in the short documentary Score, Maja spoke about not composing since leaving home, but Wycombe Abbey reignited that spark. ‘The girls often ask me to play something they like, and I encourage improvisation. You need to liberate yourself from the score sometimes. For me, composing isn’t about writing, it’s like notes pouring out of my fingers, depending on how I feel.’
When asked which piece she identifies with most, Maja chooses Debussy’s Prelude from ‘Suite Bergamasque’, ‘It’s gorgeous, late Romantic, early twentieth century, forgetting all the rules, with lovely harmonies and colours, especially on great pianos like the ones here.’
Beyond the classroom, Maja supports Firefly International, a charity which supports children affected by war, and is performing in the upcoming Echoes of Peace event on 13 December.
From escaping war to inspiring young musicians, Maja Bilic’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion and the transformative power of music. At Wycombe Abbey, her story continues to shape lives, one note at a time.
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