Žirija/Jury
Izidor Erazem Grafenauer (Slovenija/Slovenia)
SLO
Izidor Erazem Grafenauer je slovenski glasbenik, interpret, ustvarjalec in pedagog, ki glasbo razume kot živ umetniški jezik, povezujočpreteklost in sedanjost, slogovno zvestobo in ustvarjalno odprtost. Njegovo delo obsega izvajalsko, raziskovalno, avtorsko in pedagoško dejavnost. Mednarodno koncertira kot solist, komorni glasbenik in član orkestrov po Evropi ter Severni in Južni Ameriki. Nastopa s številnimi ansambli, med drugim s Simfoničnim orkestrom RTV Slovenija, Orkestrom Slovenske filharmonije, Komornim orkestrom Stretto in drugimi. Njegov repertoar sega od renesanse do sodobnosti ter vključuje historična brenkala in sodobne projekte, v katerih raziskuje povezave med tradicijo, improvizacijo, elektroakustiko in gibom. Kritiki njegovo umetnost opisujejo kot tehnično dovršeno, slogovno poglobljeno in umetniško tenkočutno. Kot docent na Akademiji za glasbo Univerze v Ljubljani poučuje komorno glasbo in historična brenkala ter vodi mojstrske tečaje doma in v tujini. Diskografsko se je uveljavil s projekti Preludio (2018), XyloCorda (2022) in Ventana abierta (2023). Je umetniški vodja ciklov Rasgueado Ljubljana, Kitarski festival Ljubljana in Kit-Ara, s katerimi spodbuja umetniško povezovanje ter razvoj kakovostne glasbene ustvarjalnosti. Izidor Erazem Grafenauer is a Slovenian musician, performer, creator, and pedagogue who approaches music as a living artistic language — one that connects past and present, reflection and expression, stylistic authenticity and creative openness.
He performs internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra member across Europe, North and South America, collaborating with ensembles such as the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Stretto Chamber Orchestra, and others. His repertoire ranges from Renaissance to contemporary music, encompassing historical plucked instruments as well as modern projects exploring intersections between tradition, improvisation, electroacoustics, movement, and literature. Critics describe his artistry as technically refined, stylistically profound, and expressively sensitive.
As an Assistant Professor at the Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana, he teaches chamber music and historical plucked instruments, and regularly leads masterclasses at international institutions. His discography includes Preludio (2018), XyloCorda (2022), and Ventana abierta (2023). Grafenauer is also the artistic director of Rasgueado Ljubljana, the Ljubljana Guitar Festival, and the Kit-Ara chamber concert series, promoting artistic collaboration and high-level musical creativity. Through his multifaceted work, he cultivates a holistic approach to music as sonic art, cultural expression, and a thoughtful dialogue between time, space, and audience.
ENG
Izidor Erazem Grafenauer is a Slovenian musician, performer, creator, and pedagogue who approaches music as a living artistic language — one that connects past and present, reflection and expression, stylistic authenticity and creative openness.
He performs internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra member across Europe, North and South America, collaborating with ensembles such as the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Stretto Chamber Orchestra, and others. His repertoire ranges from Renaissance to contemporary music, encompassing historical plucked instruments as well as modern projects exploring intersections between tradition, improvisation, electroacoustics, movement, and literature. Critics describe his artistry as technically refined, stylistically profound, and expressively sensitive.
As an Assistant Professor at the Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana, he teaches chamber music and historical plucked instruments, and regularly leads masterclasses at international institutions. His discography includes Preludio (2018), XyloCorda (2022), and Ventana abierta (2023). Grafenauer is also the artistic director of Rasgueado Ljubljana, the Ljubljana Guitar Festival, and the Kit-Ara chamber concert series, promoting artistic collaboration and high-level musical creativity. Through his multifaceted work, he cultivates a holistic approach to music as sonic art, cultural expression, and a thoughtful dialogue between time, space, and audience.
Luis Alejandro García (Španija/Spain)
SLO
Luis Alejandro García je eden najodlikovanejših španskih kitaristov svoje generacije, z več kot tridesetimi nacionalnimi in mednarodnimi nagradami. Kritiki ga hvalijo kot interpreta, ki združuje »virtuoznost z izjemno glasbeno občutljivostjo« (Enric Madriguera, Univerza v Dallasu). Med njegovimi najpomembnejšimi dosežki so prve nagrade na tekmovanjih José Tomás – Villa de Petrer, Coria Guitar Competition in El Primer Palau Prize. Nastopal in vodil je mojstrske tečaje po vsej Španiji, v Nemčiji, Avstriji, Združenih državah Amerike, Andori, Čilu in Argentini. Sodeloval je z orkestri, kot so Simfonični orkester Tenerifov, Filharmonični orkester Gran Canarie ter Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès, pod vodstvom dirigentov Karela Marka Chichona, Xavierja Puiga in Alessandra Palumba. Leta 2018 je izdal svoj prvenec Lazos sobre el Atlántico (JSM Guitar Records) in je ustanovni član mednarodno nagrajenega Canary Guitar Quartet, s katerim je izdal ploščo 21. García je z odliko diplomiral iz kitare in muzikologije ter prejel posebno priznanje konservatorija na Tenerifih. Magistriral je na ESMUC v Barceloni pri Àlexu Garrobéju. Igra na kitaro Vicente Carrillo in strune Knobloch.
Luis Alejandro García is one of the most awarded Spanish guitarists of his generation, with over thirty national and international prizes to his name. Praised for combining “virtuosity with exceptional musical nuance” (Enric Madriguera, UT Dallas), he has won First Prizes at prestigious competitions such as the José Tomás – Villa de Petrer, Coria Guitar Competition, and El Primer Palau Prize.
He has performed and given masterclasses throughout Spain, Germany, Austria, the United States, Andorra, Chile, and Argentina, collaborating with orchestras including the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès under conductors Karel Mark Chichon, Xavier Puig, and Alessandro Palumbo. In 2018, he released his debut album Lazos sobre el Atlántico (JSM Guitar Records) and is a founding member of the internationally awarded Canary Guitar Quartet, which released its first album 21. García graduated with honors in Guitar and Musicology, receiving the Extraordinary End-of-Degree Award from the Conservatory of Tenerife. He later completed his Master’s degree at ESMUC (Barcelona) under Àlex Garrobé. He plays Vicente Carrillo guitars and Knobloch Strings.
Francisco Bernier (Španija/Spain)
SLO
Francisco Bernier je prejemnik več kot dvajsetih mednarodnih nagrad, med katerimi še posebno izstopa 1. nagrada na enem najprestižnješih kitarskih tekmovanj: “Michele Pittaluga” v Alessandriji. Ti dosežki so mu prinesli koncerte v več kot 37 državah po vsem svetu, na prestižnih prizoriščih, kot so Salle Cortot in Mogador Theatre v Parizu, Oji Hall v Tokiu, muzej Ermitaž v Sankt Peterburgu, Teatro Maestranza v Sevilli, Merkin Hall v New Yorku, Dvorana Amerik v Washingtonu DC in dvorana Zellerbach v San Franciscu. Nastopil je tudi s številnimi orkestri, kot so Camerata iz Sankt Peterburga, Manchester Symphony Orchestra, Sredozemski simfonični orkester in Berkeley Symphony Orchestra iz San Francisca pod vodstvom Kenta Nagana. Šolal se je na Conservatorio Superior de Música v Sevilli, nato na Ecole Normale “Alfred Cortot” v Parizu pod vodstvom maestra Alberta Poncea, zatem še na Hochschule für Musik v Kölnu (Nemčija), na Université du Québec v Montréalu (Kanada) in na Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris (Francija). Nazadnje je uspešno tudi doktoriral iz umetnosti na prestižni Univerzi za glasbo “F. Chopin” v Varšavi (Poljska). Posnel je več albumov, tudi za prestižne založbe, kot sta Mandala-Harmonia Mundi in Déclic-Radio France. Poučuje na Kraljevem glasbenem konservatoriju v Sevilji. Je tudi ustanovitelj in umetniški vodja kitarskega festivala v Sevilji ter predsednik in ustanovitelj založbe Contrastes Records (London).
ANG
Francisco Bernier is the recipient of over twenty international awards, with one of the most notable being the 1st prize at one of the most prestigious guitar competitions, the “Michele Pittaluga” competition in Alessandria. These achievements have led to concerts in more than 37 countries worldwide, at prestigious venues, such as Salle Cortot and Mogador Theatre in Paris, Oji Hall in Tokyo, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Teatro Maestranza in Seville, Merkin Hall in New York, the Hall of the Americas in Washington, D.C., and Zellerbach Hall in San Francisco. He has also performed with numerous orchestras, including the Camerata of Saint Petersburg, the Manchester Symphony Orchestra, the Mediterranean Symphony Orchestra, and the Berkeley Symphony in San Francisco under the baton of Kent Nagano. Francisco received his education at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in Seville, followed by studies at the Ecole Normale “Alfred Cortot” in Paris under the guidance of Maestro Albert Ponce. He later continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany, at the Université du Québec in Montreal, Canada, and at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, France. He successfully completed his Doctor of Arts degree at the prestigious University of Music “F. Chopin” in Warsaw, Poland. He has recorded albums, also for prestigious labels like Mandala-Harmonia Mundi and Déclic-Radio France. He teaches at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Seville. He is also the founder and artistic director of the Seville Guitar Festival and the president and founder of Contrastes Records (London).
Suzana Hebar Čamer (Slovenija/Slovenia)
SLO
Suzana Hebar Čamer je glasbeno pot začela na Glasbeni šoli Nazarje, nato pa šolanje nadaljevala na Glasbeni šoli Fran Korun Koželjski v Velenju, kjer je bila dijakinja gimnazijskega in glasbenega programa v razredu prof. Istvana Römerja. Leta 2000 je na isti šoli prejela naziv »Učenka/dijakinja leta«. Študij je nadaljevala na Akademiji za glasbo v Ljubljani v razredu prof. Tomaža Rajteriča, pri katerem je po diplomi opravila tudi specialistični študij.
Že v času šolanja je sodelovala na številnih državnih in mednarodnih tekmovanjih (Italija, Srbija, Hrvaška …) ter prejela visoka priznanja in nagrade. Izpopolnjevala se je na mojstrskih tečajih in kitarskih festivalih doma in v tujini (Srbija, Češka …) pri priznanih kitaristih, kot so Carlo Marchione, Aniello Desiderio in Anabel Montesinos.
Sodeluje v strokovnih komisijah glasbenih tekmovanj, občasno koncertira solistično ali v komornih zasedbah. Trenutno se posveča predvsem pedagoškemu delu na Glasbeni šoli Celje, kjer njeni učenci in dijaki dosegajo vidne uspehe na tekmovanjih. Pod njenim vodstvom uspešno deluje tudi kitarski orkester GŠ Celje, ki redno nastopa in sodeluje na različnih glasbenih prireditvah.
ENG
Suzana Hebar Čamer began her musical education at the Nazarje Music School and continued at the Fran Korun Koželjski Music School in Velenje, where she attended both grammar school and secondary music programs under Prof. Istvan Römer. In 2000, she received the title “Student of the Year.” She went on to study at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana in the class of Prof. Tomaž Rajterič, where she later completed her postgraduate specialist studies. From an early stage, she participated in national and international competitions (Italy, Serbia, Croatia, etc.), earning numerous high awards. She has also taken part in masterclasses and guitar festivals across Europe (Serbia, Czech Republic, etc.) with renowned guitarists such as Carlo Marchione, Aniello Desiderio, and Anabel Montesinos.
She serves as a jury member at various music competitions and occasionally performs as a soloist or in chamber ensembles. Currently, she is devoted primarily to her teaching career at the Celje Music School, where her students have received many awards at national and international competitions. Under her leadership, the Celje Music School Guitar Orchestra has flourished, performing regularly and contributing actively to the regional and national musical scene.
Monika Krajnc Štih (Slovenija/Slovenia)
SLO
Monika Krajnc Štih poučuje na glasbeni šoli in srednji šoli za umetnost v Velenju, Slovenija. Diplomirala in magistrirala je pri Martinu Myslivečku na Univerzi za glasbo in upodabljajočo umetnost v Gradcu, v Avstriji. V svojem magistrskem delu je raziskovala življenje kitaristke Ide Presti in v ta namen opravila intervju s spoštovanim kitaristom in skladateljem Johnom W. Duartejem. Udeležila se je kitarskih seminarjev pri profesorjih Jerku Novaku, Istvánu Römerju, Tomažu Lorenzu, Abelu Carlevaru, Davidu Croskyju, Johnu W. Duarteju, Pavlu Steidlu. Kot dijakinja je osvojila veliko prvih mest na tekmovanjih, bodisi kot solistka bodisi v komornih zasedbah. Skupaj s svojim možem Borisom Štihom je izdala CD s skladbami za kitaro v duetu. Bila sta eden od prvih kitarskih duetov v Sloveniji. Velik del svoje učiteljske kariere je posvetila razvoju kitarskega orkestra – ne le na glasbeni šoli v Velenju, temveč v celotni državi. Kitarski orkester glasbene šole Velenje je osvojil prvo nagrado in nastopil z orkestrom ZGF 2017 na zagrebškem kitarskem festivalu. Njeni učenci dosegajo najvišja priznanja in nagrade na tekmovanjih na nacionalni in mednarodni ravni. Prav tako je članica žirij na regionalnih, nacionalnih in mednarodnih tekmovanjih.
ENG
Monika Krajnc Štih teaches at the music school and the secondary school of arts in Velenje, Slovenija.
She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree with Martin Mysliveček at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz, Austria. In her Master’s thesis she investigated the life of Ida Presti and for this purpose she interviewed the revered guitarist and composer, John W. Duarte. She has attended guitar seminars with professors Jerko Novak, István Römer, Tomaž Lorenz, Abel Carlevaro, David Crosky, John W. Duarte, Pavel Steidl. As a student she won many first prizes when competing solo or in chamber groups. She released a CD of compositions for a guitar duo with her husband Boris Štih. They formed one of the first guitar duos in Slovenia. Monika has dedicated a big part of her teaching career to developing guitar orchestra – not just at the music school in Velenje, but in the whole country. The guitar orchestra of music school Velenje won a first prize and performed with the orchestra of ZGF 2017 Zagreb Guitar Festival. Her students are achieving the highest recognition awards and prizes at competitions on a national and international level. She is also a member of juries in regional, national and international competitions, as well as a technical advisor for the national competition for young musicians (TEMSIG).
Dr. Mario Kurtjak (Slovenija/Slovenia)
SLO
Mario Kurtjak je kitarist, profesor kitare, predsednik Društva slovenskih učiteljev kitare, skladatelj, kemik in doktor znanosti. Na Akademijo za glasbo v Ljubljani je bil sprejet pri šestnajstih letih kot izreden talent ter leta 2010 diplomiral summa cum laude v razredu prof. Andreja Grafenauerja. Leta 2018 je z odliko zaključil podiplomski študij na Kraljevi akademiji za glasbo v Londonu, kjer je študiral pri Michaelu Lewinu, Davidu Russellu, Fabiu Zanonu in Davidu Gortonu. Je prejemnik številnih nagrad na državnih in mednarodnih tekmovanjih, med drugim 2. nagrade in nagrade občinstva na 16. mednarodnem tekmovanju Miguel Llobet v Barceloni (2019). Redno koncertira kot solist in član komornih zasedb, med katerimi izstopata Slovenski kitarski kvartet in Solent Duo s kolumbijsko sopranistko Melizo Metzger. Nastopil je na uglednih prizoriščih, kot so St James’s Piccadilly v Londonu, Dvorana Bamberg v Beljaku, Festival Lent in Festival Arsana. Kot interpret izstopa po tehnični dovršenosti, muzikalnosti in občutku za tonsko niansiranje. Za svoje umetniško delo je prejel številne nagrade, med njimi Škerjančevo in Prešernovo nagrado Akademije za glasbo.
ENG
Mario Kurtjak is a guitarist, guitar professor, president of the Slovenian Guitar Teachers’ Association, composer, chemist, and Ph.D. in science. Admitted to the Academy of Music in Ljubljana at the age of sixteen as an extraordinary talent, he graduated summa cum laude in 2010 under Prof. Andrej Grafenauer. In 2018, he completed his postgraduate studies with distinction at the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying guitar with Michael Lewin, David Russell, and Fabio Zanon, and composition with Dr. David Gorton. He is a prizewinner of numerous national and international competitions, including the 2nd Prize and Audience Prize at the 16th Miguel Llobet International Guitar Competition in Barcelona (2019). Mario performs regularly across Europe as a soloist and chamber musician, most notably with the Slovenian Guitar Quartet and the Solent Duo with Colombian soprano Meliza Metzger. He has performed at venues such as St James’s Piccadilly in London, the Bamberg Hall in Villach, and at major festivals including Lent (Maribor) and Arsana (Ptuj). Known for his technical mastery, refined tone, and musical sensitivity, he is recognized as one of Slovenia’s leading guitarists. His awards include the Škerjanc and Prešeren Prizes from the Academy of Music and the Blyth Watson Foundation Award.
Morana Pešutić (Hrvaška/Croatia)
SLO
Morana Pešutić je diplomirala na Glasbeni akademiji v Zagrebu v razredu prof. Darka Petrinjaka ter magistrirala na Kraljevem konservatoriju v Haagu pri prof. Zoranu Dukiću. Izpopolnjevala se je pri priznanih kitaristih, kot so P. Steidel, L. Brouwer, A. Desiderio in M. Dylla. Kot solistka in komorna glasbenica je nastopila po vsej Evropi ter v Kanadi in Čilu. Od leta 2014 je članica Zagrebškega kitarskega dua, s katerim redno nastopa na uglednih festivalih klasične glasbe. Leta 2018 je sodelovala v projektu Guitarrismo, katerega rezultat je bila izdaja CD/DVD pri Croatia Records. Deluje kot profesorica kitare na Glasbeni šoli Blagoja Berse v Zagrebu, njeni učenci pa dosegajo vidne rezultate na državnih in mednarodnih tekmovanjih. Redno sodeluje kot žirantka, vodi mojstrske tečaje in mentorira študente Pedagoške prakse na Glasbeni akademiji. Je soustanoviteljica Zagrebškega kitarskega festivala in več let delovala kot umetniška vodja festivala Youngmasters. Od leta 2018 je predsednica Hrvaškega združenja kitarskih pedagogov ter umetniška vodja mednarodnega tekmovanja “Ida Presti”.
ANG
Morana Pešutić graduated from the Music Academy in Zagreb in the class of Prof. Darko Petrinjak and earned her master’s degree at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague under Prof. Zoran Dukić. She further refined her skills with renowned guitarists such as P. Steidel, L. Brouwer, A. Desiderio, and M. Dylla. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout Europe, as well as in Canada and Chile. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Zagreb Guitar Duo, performing at many leading classical music festivals. In 2018, she took part in the Guitarrismo project, which resulted in a CD/DVD release with Croatia Records. Morana is a guitar professor at the Blagoje Bersa Music School in Zagreb, where her students have achieved notable success at national and international competitions. She frequently serves on competition juries, leads seminars and masterclasses, and mentors pedagogy students at the Zagreb Academy of Music. She co-founded the Zagreb Guitar Festival and was the artistic director of the Youngmasters Summer School and Festival. Since 2018, she has been president of the Croatian Association of Guitar Pedagogues and artistic director of the “Ida Presti” International Guitar Competition.