Olivera Jakovljevic-Rialas, was born in Belgrade where she began her music studies at the Vojislav Vuckovic Music School for Gifted Children. She graduated from Belgrade University at the age of twenty –one. She continued her studies at the “Franz Liszt Academy of Music” in Budapest, Hungary. Ms. Rialas enjoyed a distinguished performing career touring extensively throughout Europe and China as a member of "Dusan Skovran" Chamber orchestra. Ms. Rialas was a violin professor at Nis College of Music. Additionally Ms. Rialas had recitals throughout Yugoslavia and Hungary as well as performed with the Belgrade Radio Symphony Orchestra and Nis Chamber Orchestra as a soloist. She also recorded for RTV radio and television.

Since 2001 she has performed in several recitals in New York, including being the first violin at the premiere of contemporary opera composed by Evan Hause. She was the concertmaster of the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra for the Summer 2002 and Fall 2002 seasons. Ms. Rialas was also a member (first violin) of the Wagner Festival Orchestra, an affiliate of the Mannes College of Music for several seasons.