Artist
Born in 1975 in Maribor, Slovenia (EU), Matej Krajnc holds a master’s degree in comparative literature. He published his first book in 1988 and started combining poetry and music into a singer-songwriter routine in 1992. He writes his English-language material under the pseudonym of Matt Kaye and records in English as Matej Krajnc, Matt Kaye and Blind Boy Spectacles (gospel and blues standards).
Artist
Matej Kužel is a Slovenian clarinetist and saxophonist, active since 1990. He studied under Robert Stanič and completed his education in 2012 at the Landes Konservatorium in Klagenfurt with Professor Michael Erian. Kužel is a member of ensembles such as Teo Collori & Momento Cigano, Magnifico, and the Matej Kužel Trio. He has performed at major European festivals and collaborated with the Big Band RTV Slovenija. In 2016, he recorded the album “Ergo Sum” with Mike Sponza at Abbey Road Studios.
Artist
Matic Kuder felt drawn to the clarinet even as a small child. Mainly because he had two great role models in his family: his cousin and his uncle. It was his uncle who gave the Slovenian-born musician his first clarinet lessons. He later studied in Ljubljana at the Conservatory of Music and Ballet with Dusan Sodja, and at the Academy of Music, as well as at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, with Gerald Pachinger. He also studied at the Nuremberg University of Music with Thomas Holzmann. He participated in numerous masterclasses, including with Mate Bekavac, Wenzel Fuchs, Francois Benda, Paolo Beltramini and Hari Mäkki. He gained his first orchestral experience as a member of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. The positive experiences he had there played a major role in Matic Kuder's decision to become an orchestral musician. The prize-winner of several international competitions began his career as a solo clarinetist in the Nürnberg Symphony Orchestra in 2017 and four years later transferred to the Berlin Philharmonic.
Artist
Violinist, composer, and arranger Matija Krečič completed his violin and composition studies in Klagenfurt in 2015. He collaborates with Magnifico, Tomaž Hostnik, and Momento Cigana and has worked with Terrafolk, Tango Story, and others. He writes music for film and theater and arranged Magnifico’s music for Montevideo, See You!. He won two Popevka awards (2018, 2023) and Best Original Score (2021) for Inventura at the Slovenian Film Festival.
Music education
A music school within the institute, combining knowledge, values, and artistic growth.
Artist
Soloist and chamber musician Matjaž Bogataj has built a distinguished international career. He currently holds the post of the leader of the second violins in the Bavarian State Orchestra.
Label
Artist
Matter is a Slovenian trap music group from Kamnik, active since 2015. The trio consists of Dario Nožić Serini (Dacho), Luka Lah (Levanael), and Matej Tunja (Tunja). They have become prominent on the Ljubljana alternative scene, known for their unique approach to rap that blends absurd lyrics with distinctive beats. Their debut album, “Amphibios,” released under the local label rx:tx, sold out its initial run, and their concerts consistently sell out, reflecting their significant impact on the Slovenian music scene.
Artist
Since 1996, Mauricio Valdes has been focusing on the use of technology for the advancement of art in the field of interactive genres and modes of sound production. His opus encompasses works in the field of sound art, theatre music and film sores. He regularly lectures at 15 universities, cultural and research centres in 8 different countries. In addition to his personal artistic career, he directs and organizes the independent festival SoundHub.
Music-tech innovation
Mauricio Valdés San Emeterio is a distinguished composer, curator, and technologist, acclaimed for his work at the intersection of arts and sciences. With a specialized focus on the trans-diciplinary applications of Spatial Audio, Mauricio has built a dynamic international career, marked by significant achievements in festival organization and production. Mauricio’s work has gained international acclaim, featured in over 20 countries and prestigious venues including a notable presentation at the Venice Artivism exhibition supported by the Auschwitz Institute in 2019. His career is adorned with a dozen international awards, underscoring his contributions to a broad spectrum of artistic expressions and his ability to bridge different disciplines and sectors.