Meet The Team
Director
Budo Hajder
Living The Rhythm
Budo joined Novi Most in 2005 after spending a year studying drums at Nexus music academy in the UK. His journey with Novi Most however began before that, in 1997, when he attended a camp on the Croatian coast. There he saw people from BiH from different ethnic backgrounds worshiping together and in that situation he encountered Jesus and decided to follow him.
Budo's passion is music. From leading worship and playing in worship bands to playing in a Blues band which has been featured on the Top hits TV programmes in BiH and Croatia to being part of Sarajevo drum orchestra – a percussion ensemble who perform at big events around the country, he is constantly striving to improve as a musician.
Together with Matt he wrote the songs for the album Buka Vesela which they recorded and produced together during lock down. He thinks it is really important for people from BiH and the former Yugoslavia region to write original worship songs instead of singing translations of English language worship songs and he is actively encouraging young musicians to do this.
He teaches drums and acoustic guitar weekly at Novi Most Jajce and loves to awake a passion for music in young people, inspiring them to reach their full potential. He is particularly excited when he gets to mentor young bands and pass on his valuable experience to them.
He also uses his love of tennis and snowboarding to gather young people, give them new experiences they wouldn't otherwise have and help them learn new skills and build their self-confidence.
Budo is well known in the local community in Jajce as a musician, a youth worker and because of his story of growing up in a Muslim family and then deciding to follow Jesus. In a nationalistic culture his story is a powerful challenge to all who hear it.
Director
Matt Hellyer
Making Room For A New Song
Matt Hellyer is a member of the Novi Most organization since he moved to BiH in 2008 together with his wife, Rowen, with a shared desire to serve and support youth through music, creative programs, and community involvement.
From the start, Matt focused on equipping young people by offering guitar, keyboard, and other instrumental lessons. Over time, his work naturally developed into music production, which is now a central and growing area of his ministry.
Matt’s passion is to inspire and equip young people to write and produce original worship music. He actively mentors them in songwriting and modern music production techniques, helping them express their faith through creativity. This work has had a meaningful impact not only in BiH but also across the broader region of the former Yugoslavia.
He played a key role in recording and producing few original worship albums, and two of them are composed entirely of original songs written by young people from former Yugoslavia region, created through a songwriting workshop he led during the Evangelical Church youth camp. These projects have given young musicians a powerful opportunity and platform to grow in their talents and faith, and to connect with each other. This is an important step for securing peace, healing and reconciliation for young generations in the Balkans.
Now based in Jajce, Matt continues to invest deeply in the local community. He produces the Perspektiva radio show and podcast for the Evangelical Church in Jajce, broadcast on local radio – a significant voice for Gods message of love, peace and hope in the region.
Through his dedication, creativity, and vision, Matt has created space for young people to grow – musically, spiritually, and personally. His work has helped many discover and develop their gifts, giving them the tools, encouragement, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Director
Rowan Hellyer
Holding The Tempo
Rowan Hellyer moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with her husband Matt, in 2008. After spending two years as part of the Novi Most team in Mostar they moved to Jajce to establish Novi Most work there in 2010. Rowan worked as a qualified youth work in the UK and has played a key role in helping train and develop the skills of the Novi Most team.
Over the years in Novi Most Rowan has organised a lot of creative activities for young people, as well as playing a big part in the social side of Novi Most work with young people in Jajce. Music teaching has developed to become the main focus of Rowan's work.
Rowan is now a major figure in music teaching for young people in Jajce. She teaches violin through Novi Most and also as a teacher in the town's music school. She is also conductor of Limena Glazba, the town wind band which was started almost 130 years ago. Through this role she teaches brass and woodwind instruments to young people from across the community.
In recent years Rowan has taken up running. To date she has run 25 half-marathons and counting. Together with Edina Hajder - also a keen runner and the pastor of the Evangelical Church in Jajce - she has helped organise several charity races for people in Jajce, to raise money for local organisations supporting cancer patients and children with disabilities.
Jajce
The Royal City
Jajce is where Novi Most began working in 2010, in partnership with the local Evangelical Church. Edina Hajder, the church’s pastor, has long been active in the community, especially in connecting with young people through sports. Building on her relationships, the Novi Most team has developed music teaching and social activities that form the core of their work in the town.
Since then, Novi Most has continued to engage young people in a variety of activities that combine learning, creativity, and community. Music lessons, social gatherings, and recreational programmes provide a safe and welcoming space for young people to develop skills, form friendships, and explore their interests. Through these activities, the team also seeks to support young people’s personal growth and foster connections with the local church and broader community.
Programmes
Raising Royal Leaders in Jajce
Electric Guitar Lessons
One-to-one electric guitar lessons. These encourage students to learn about the role pickups, pedals, and amplifiers play in creating their guitar tone.
Drum Lessons
One-to-one drum lessons where our students are encouraged to master technique and rudiments, as well as to learn how to lay down a groove for a band.
Keyboard Lessons
One-to-one keyboard lessons. These can lead to more focus on piano playing or on synthesiser playing and computer-based music production.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
One-to-one acoustic guitar lessons. Most of our students are also encouraged to sing and are given opportunities to perform songs in front of an audience.
Violin Lessons
One-to-one violin lessons. Our flexible approach allows young people to learn classical, rock, and pop music.
Recording Opportunities
Professional audio recording opportunities for young musicians in the community and help them create online videos for their music.
Youth Club
Regular social activities for young people in Jajce, where they can make new friends and gain new experiences.
Wind Instrument Lessons
One-to-one clarinet, flute, saxophone, and trumpet lessons. These help prepare young people to play as part of the Jajce town wind band.
Bass Guitar Lessons
One-to-one bass guitar lessons. Bass players are encouraged to find a band to give their playing a little bit more context.