Žak Ozmo is an internationally acclaimed music director, entrepreneur, music scholar, and expert in music’s clinical applications. His inspiring journey from a war-torn homeland to the pinnacle of the music world makes him a powerful keynote speaker for any event.

During his late teens, Žak had to navigate the upheaval of a civil war that devastated his home country, embarking on an uncertain journey as a refugee with nothing more than a suitcase and his musical instrument. This experience forged his resilience, deeply shaping his perspectives on humanity, potential, and the ties that bind us.

Now, Žak boasts impressive academic credentials, including a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles and a postdoctoral diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. His career has seen him travel worldwide, enriching his global outlook.

Žak is the visionary Founding Director of L’Avventura London, a highly respected London-based orchestra, and the driving force behind a novel city-wide initiative in Memphis, TN, that harnesses music and sound in treating cancer and other diseases. These initiatives underscore his dedication to intertwining the healing power of music with medical applications.

A master storyteller, Žak intertwines tales of survival, perseverance, triumph, and hope, providing deep insights into our shared human condition. His speeches embody knowledge molded by loss and hardship, offering valuable wisdom without the accompanying pain.

Žak’s reputation precedes him on the international stage. He regularly speaks at conferences across Europe and North America, appears on international radio stations, including BBC Radio 3 and NPR, and delivered a TEDx Talk in 2019, ‘Why Refugees are Integral to the Future of Art’.

Žak’s motivational keynote speeches serve as a beacon for those seeking to surmount challenges and scale new heights of success. He firmly believes in the transformative power of personal growth for individuals and its pivotal role in an organization’s success.

Žak offers engaging, in-person or virtual keynotes at your next event. His empowering messages and the practical, actionable insights he offers are bound to leave a lasting impact on your audience.

In Person-Fee: Please enquire

Virtual Fee: Please enquire

Travels From: USA, UK

For further enquiries, he can be reached at: zak@zakozmo.com

We are going through challenging times, filled with uncertainty about the future and fatigue from the present. Economic, political, environmental, and social anxieties abound, affecting every aspect of our lives. This, however, is also an opportunity for discovering new aspects of ourselves, and new strengths.  There is a term for this process – post-traumatic growth – which refers to the benefit and personal growth that comes from experiencing a crisis.

In my late teenage years, my home country was destroyed by civil war.  I will never forget the sinking feeling as I walked into the unknown with my suitcase and my guitar, without my passport or a visa, while it was beginning to dawn on me that I was a refugee, and what that meant.

I tell personal stories of survival, perseverance, achievement, and optimism.  Stories of deep understanding of one’s humanity and potential, and the common link between all of us.  I share knowledge honed by loss, grief, and tragedy; honed by trials that put life into perspective and divide the important from the unimportant.

I share it so you would benefit from it without having to experience the loss.

I am a grandchild of Holocaust survivors and a war refugee.  My grandparents and their siblings were, for me, a symbol of optimism and of overcoming even the greatest obstacles.

The life of my family was one of walking a fine line between engaging with society as its prominent members and trying to steer clear of antisemitism that lurked in the shadows. 

1991 saw the begging of the terrible civil war that would ravage my home country.  Manipulated by unscrupulous leaders, people searched for simple solutions to complex problems and began to look for someone to blame. 

Jewish people were not the focus of the Bosnian war.  However, I feel that what happened there in the 90s, combined with the stories told me by my grandparents, made me understand better the progression of the Nazi’s homicidal madness during WWII. 

I share my story and that of my family to give perspective, fortify, and help you chart your path as members of the vibrant global Jewish community. 

This talk also has a broader message, as hatred and discrimination do not stop with one group.  It is about social justice, about multi-racial democracy.  It is about the rights of immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ people, and women.   It is about human rights everywhere.

These lessons and insights apply regardless of where or when we are.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS TALK HERE

Imagine finding yourself in a foreign land, stripped of everything that once defined you. No safety net to catch you if you fall, no language to communicate with, and no one to turn to for help. It’s a daunting thought, but it’s the reality for many refugees who have fled their homes in search of a better life.

But what if you could learn the skills and coping mechanisms necessary to not only survive but thrive in such a challenging environment? That’s precisely what this workshop offers – a chance to develop the same skills and resilience that refugees have honed through real-life experience.

This workshop is designed for employee training and professional development, focusing on key skills essential for success in any business venture. From the courage to take the initiative to the ability to plan, manage oneself, and problem-solve on the fly, these skills are critical for navigating a rapidly changing and unpredictable world.

Through this workshop, you’ll learn how to function effectively without a safety net, persist in the face of adversity, and network with others to build a support system. Most importantly, you’ll develop confidence and hope to persevere through even the toughest challenges.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to enhance your skills or a new employee just starting out, this workshop is sure to provide invaluable insights and strategies for personal and professional growth. So why wait? Sign up today and take the first step towards a brighter, more successful future.

TEDx Memphis

“Amazing talk…such a powerful way to grab the audience.  You have a story that is beyond sharing and that has touched so many others.” 

WMC Action News 5/Bluff City Life

“I’ve had the pleasure to feature Žak as an interviewee on several occasions, and he’s an incredibly-wonderful and well-researched person to learn from.  No matter the topics or stories he recounts, the details are vivid, his personality is amiable, and his words are filled with intention and clarity. He’s engaging and polite while the cameras are rolling as well as behind-the-scenes and with our crew.  Žak is most welcome to return to our program should the opportunity allow.”

Temple Israel, Memphis, TN

“Zak Ozmo has delivered several moving, meaningful, and compelling talks both at Temple Israel and throughout Greater Memphis. Subjects have ranged from the healing power of music to the resilience of the human spirit through the eyes of a refugee. Every audience leaves Dr. Ozmo’s high level presentations thinking more deeply and feeling inspired.”

Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN

“Dr. Zak Ozmo, in a relatively short presentation, was able to expertly weave together the complexities of the power of music and its clinical applications in the field of medicine, while also offering stories from his own personal life. The keynote was fascinating and accessible, intellectual and heartfelt. He was truly one of the highlights that folks still talk about in our 8 years of hosting over 45 speakers. “