About Nace Slak
Nace Slak is a young pianist, born in Ljubljana in 1998, recognized as one of the most promising Slovenian pianists. He has captivated audiences with over 200 public performances and numerous victories in national and international competitions. In September 2023, he graduated with honors (10/10) from the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, and he is now dedicated to a solo career and providing quality music education to young students.
His musical journey began at a young age, and he started participating in piano competitions in second grade, both domestically and internationally. Notable achievements include winning the 1st prize and 1st place at the International Young Musicians Competition ITHAKA 2007, multiple first prizes at the Ars nova international music competition in Trieste (2008, 2011, 2012), He won the first prize at the 12th Concorso internazionale per giovani strumentisti in Povoletto in 2008, the 1st prize and gold recognition at the 13th regional competition in Ljubljana in 2010. A significant achievement was also his first prize and gold plaque at the 39th competition of young musicians of the Republic of Slovenia, TEMSIG 2010 (Slovenian national competition). In 2013, Nace achieved the 1st prize and gold recognition at the 16th regional competition in Ljubljana, a silver plaque at the 42nd TEMSIG national competition, gold recognition, and two special awards at the Japan Piano Center competition. He also secured the first prize and a special award for the best performance of a compulsory piece at the International Tartini Competition in Piran (Nocturne by Bojan Glavina) and the third place with a special award for the best-executed composition by a Slovenian author in the under-16 category at the 9th International Competition “Chopinov zlati prstan”. Additionally, he performed at the winners’ concert and earned the opportunity to present a recital at the Russian Center in Ljubljana as the top-ranked Slovenian pianist.
In 2014, Nace Slak made his debut as a soloist with the Cantabile Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marjan Grdadolnik, first at the Logatec Summer Festival and later at the Festival des Anches d’Azur in La Croix Valmer, Saint Tropez, France. In 2015, he secured the first place, a gold plaque, and a special award for his performance of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude at the 4th International Ivan Rijavec Competition in Rogaška Slatina.
During October and November 2015, Nace presented a series of solo recitals at the music school in Trebnje, at the Magistrat in Ljubljana, and at the music academy in Sarajevo. In January 2016, as part of the “Ob klavirju” cycle organized by Glasbena mladina ljubljanska, he performed a half solo recital at the Slovenian Philharmonic. At the 45th TEMSIG competition, he achieved a gold plaque and the 1st prize in the IIb category with an impressive score of 99.33 points.
Nace’s musical activities extended to various projects, including participation in the Piano Day project at Kino Šiška, appearances in three television programs (live on TV Sarajevo and in the morning show on TV Slovenia), two radio shows (Mladi virtuozi), and collaboration in the release of the album “Zlati pianisti.” In the 2015/2016 school year, he received a scholarship from the City of Ljubljana.
His significant recent success abroad included reaching the finals of the Scriabin International Piano Competition in Grosseto, Italy, ranking among the top 10, and achieving the top 8 in Rome at the Chopin Roma Competition.
Continuing his musical journey, in the 2016/2017 school year, Nace, under the auspices of EPTA, performed three solo recitals in Grosuplje, Hrastnik, and Velenje. He also presented the same program at Zavod sv. Stanislava in Ljubljana and participated in the musical subscription series in Ilirska Bistrica and Logatec. In December 2016, he held another half solo recital at the Slovenian Philharmonic as part of the “Ob klavirju” cycle. Nace excelled in his musical maturity exam and successfully underwent the test of musical talent at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana.
During the 2017/2018 school year, Nace balanced his roles as a student at the mentioned academy (studying piano under Prof. Aleksandar Serdar) and as a fourth-year student of general subjects at the Conservatory for Music and Ballet Ljubljana (under a pedagogical agreement). He was also honored with the Škerjanč award for outstanding academic achievements.
During the period of his master’s studies in piano at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana (2020-2023), which he completed with the highest rating for his master’s concert in September of this year, Nace performed at numerous solo recitals. These included events such as the MOL concert in the Red Hall of the Municipality of Ljubljana, a piano concert as part of the series in the music school in Nazarje, a piano recital at the Tartini House in Piran, an independent concert in the Cultural Lounge at Dom na Vidmu in Ilirska Bistrica, and performances in the Music School Kočevje, among others.
He actively participated in various international piano competitions, such as the Isidor Bajić Piano Memorial Competition in Novi Sad, the 18th Young Virtuoso in Zagreb, and the Memorial Jurica Murai and Murau Grand Prix in Varaždin. His significant recent success abroad included reaching the finals of the Scriabin International Piano Competition in Grosseto, Italy, ranking among the top 10, and achieving the top 8 in Rome at the Chopin Roma Competition. In Slovenia, he twice reached the finals of the International Piano Competition in Radovljica, and at the national piano competition TEMSIG (51st Competition of Young Musicians of the Republic of Slovenia), he received a gold plaque.
Nace consistently enriches his musical education by participating in summer schools and masterclasses. Noteworthy instances include his attendance at the Chetham’s International Piano Summer School in Manchester, where he studied under the guidance of the renowned pianist Prof. Eugen Indjić. Additionally, he received education from Prof. Ruben Dalibaltayan at the International Music Mastercourse in Radovljica and from Prof. Aleksandar Serdar at the International Music Mastercourses in Cividale del Friuli, Italy.