Mentors:

• Kenneth Tse
• Christian Wirth
• Maja Lisac
• Dejan Prešiček
• Boštjan Simon

• Zoltan Peter, piano accompanist

Mentors

Kenneth Tse is widely recognized as one of the leading classic saxophonists in the world. In 1996, he made his debut in Carnegie Hall. Since then he has frequently appeared as a soloist across five continents and has subsequently released ten critically acclaimed solo and chamber music CDs. As an advocate for new music, he premiered scores of music dedicated to him by notable American composers. He is currently the professor of saxophone at University of Iowa and Vice President of the International Saxophone Committee.

Christian Wirth attended Claude Delangle’s classes at the Paris Conservatoire, where he completed his postgraduate studies in saxophone and chamber music. He has recorded Berio’s Sequenza for saxophone with the renowned Deutsche Grammophon under the artistic direction of the composer. He plays with the Harmony Orchestra of the Republican Guard, and he has also performed on Radio France and on French television channels such as Arte and France 3. He is a member of the recognized French Habanera Quartet.

Maja Lisac graduated in classic saxophone from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and continued her post-graduated studies on the University of Music Basel with Marcus Weiss. In 2007, she obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Music Basel. She is a member of Saxophone Duo Escapades, Trio Tango Mistico, and Zure Saxophone Quartet. Canton Baselland and Novartis Concern awarded her a sholarships, as well as the Friedl Wald Foundation. In September 2010, she will begin to teach as Marcus Weiss’s assistant at University of Music Basel.

Dejan Prešiček graduated from the Frankfurt Music Academy and continued his studies at Jean-Marie Londeix’s masterclass in Bordeaux, where he had obtained the Gold medal and the Prize of honor of the City of Bordeaux. He is a member of the Slavko Osterc Trio and Ensemble 4Saxess, and a co-founder of the Saksofonija Music Society. He has recorded for RTV Slovenia and various radio and television houses (BBC London, state German stations, Radio Lisboa), and has participated in recording numerous CDs. He is a director and teacher for saxophone and chamber music at the Ljubljana Music and Ballet Conservatory. He is a part-time lecturer at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana.

Boštjan Simon graduated in jazz saxophone from the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music as well as in Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana (under the tuition of prof. Lev Kreft). When taking part in several competitions, he has proved to be a gifted musician either as a soloist, chamber music performer, and as a conductor of the Big Band. As a performer, he has taken part in releasing three CDs (Matevž Smerkol & Sax Of A Kind: Birdribird; Vanilla Riot: Stitch; Velkro: The Future of the Past).

Piano accompanist

Zoltan Peter began his academic studies in the class of Arbo Valdma at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. He completed his piano studies at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana. As a soloist, chamber musician and piano accompanist for all generations of top musicians, he has performed in Slovenia and abroad. He is one of the finest chamber and piano accompanists who has mastered an extensive repertoire. He takes part in national and international masterclasses and competitions. Apart from teaching and giving concerts, he gives seminars for piano students, teachers and piano accompanists.