Born in Ljubljana in 2001, Leto Križanič Žorž is recognized as one of the leading young musicians in Slovenia. 

My biography

Born in Ljubljana in 2001, Leto Križanič Žorž is recognized as one of the leading young musicians in Slovenia. 

My biography
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She began her musical education at a young age under the guidance of teacher Urška Rihtaršič, completing her primary studies before continuing at the Conservatory for Music and Ballet in Maribor with Dalibor Bernatović. She later graduated with honors from the undergraduate program at the State Conservatory Jacopo Tomadini in Udine, Italy, studying with Prof. Patrizia Tassini. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg with Prof. Stephen Fitzpatrick, alongside a master's program in instrumental pedagogy at the State Conservatory Jacopo Tomadini. Leto is also a frequent participant in masterclasses with renowned harpists and pedagogues. Her exceptional academic achievements earned her the prestigious Dr. Roman Klasinc Award at the Maribor Conservatory.

Leto's career began to take shape in 2012 when she won 1st place, a perfect score of 100 points, and a special award for the most promising young musician at the TEMSIG national competition (Competition of Young Slovene Musicians). She has since dominated the TEMSIG competition, winning 1st place every time, including three instances with perfect scores, and earning special prizes for her outstanding performances. In 2024, she further solidified her place as one of Slovenia's top musicians, winning 1st place with 100 points and receiving the award for the best performance of a contemporary Slovenian composition.

Among her internationally acclaimed achievements are first-place finishes at the Szeged International Harp Competition, and the Petar Konjović Competition in Novi Sad, Srbija. She also took top honors at the Concorso Internazionale per Giovani Strumentisti – Euritmia in Povoletto, Italy, securing first place overall, as well as at the Antonio Salieri Competition in Legnago, Italy. Additionally, she triumphed at the Svirel International Competition, where she earned first prizes, including one with a flawless 100-point score.

As a soloist, Leto regularly performs in recitals, chamber ensembles, and with orchestras both in Slovenia and abroad. She has appeared with distinguished ensembles such as the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra.

She has collaborated with Orchestras from Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Hungary and Lithuania. With Rijeka Symphony Orchestra, she performed the challenging contemporary work Powder Her Face by Thomas Adès at the Croatian National Theatre Ivana pl. Zajca. Leto was selected through auditions to perform with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra at the Easter Festival in Salzburg under the baton of Andris Nelsons and has worked with the Symphony and Academic Orchestras of the Mozarteum University in performances of Mahler's First Symphony, the opera Hansel und Gretchen and the opera The Capulets and the Montegues. Her extensive performance experience further includes collaborations with the Bad Reichenhall Philharmonic Orchestra, the Salzburg Philharmonics, and the FVG (Friuli Venezia Giulia) Symphony Orchestra.

Leto regularly performs as part of a duo with guitarist Magdalena Banfić and pianist Vito Černko. As an invited musician, she collaborates with composers on new works and performs in various chamber ensembles and studio recordings. At the Mozarteum, she recorded a CD titled American Classics with a chamber ensemble.

In addition to her performance career, Leto plays an active role in music education and mentorship in Slovenia. She has participated in various projects with the Slovenian Youth Orchestra and contributed to initiatives such as the Summer Young Musicians Orchestra Camp as a harpist, mentor, and orchestra manager.