Dejan Toracki

Home city: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Vocation outside music: CEO and founder of Ascensio Medical, medical device company 

Role in BBSC: Guitarist

First performance with BBSC: At AATS Philadelphia 2012

Major musical influences: I’m a lifelong devotee to unapologetic hard rock/shred guitar - Edward Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr Big), Steve Vai, Vito Bratta (White Lion), Richie Kotzen, Tom Scholz (Boston) and John Petrucci (Dream Theatre). I started off with a tennis racquet emulating Ace Frehley from KISS and never really stopped! Now I find myself expanding into modern blues, fusion and worship - but I’m always trying to squeeze in a sneaky string-skipping or tapping lick!

Favourite musical genres: Rock, instrumental-shred, prog-metal, modern blues-fusion, 70’s rock

My most prized instruments: My retired 1987 Ibanez RG560, filled with rockstar autographs.

Musical projects outside BBSC: Two solo albums - Deep Blue Cathedral and Atmospheric Disturbance, former Australian endorsee/ clinician for Ibanez/ Laney Amps (2008-2019), lead guitarist for "Oz Halen - Australia’s Tribute to Van Halen”, intro theme for "Your 4X4" (4WD TV show), writing/ recording, worship guitar at Lifepointe Baptist Church. In 2008, I was opening act for Joe Staring in Australia

Favorite non-musical pursuits: Surfing, beach days, camping, fishing, AFL football, watching gigs! 

What I love about BBSC: Being part of a unique and genuinely meaningful cause that supports families like mine, living with CHD - and rubbing shoulders with the world’s cardiac elites! It’s also the opportunity to play beautiful, challenging music that pushes me faaaaar beyond my comfort zone, alongside incredible people who have become true friends. I’m incredibly proud to be part of the BBSC community and projects.