Harp of the 20th Century

Leto Križanič Žorž (2001) is among the most promising young harpists, as evidenced by her impressive collection of awards and accolades—including 17 first-place prizes at national and international competitions. Since 2012, she has won every national TEMSIG competition, three times achieving a perfect score of 100 points, each time receiving special recognition for the best performances. In 2024, she once again demonstrated her virtuosity, securing first place and receiving awards for the best interpretation of a piece by a Slovenian composer, solidifying her reputation as the finest harpist of her generation.

She completed her undergraduate studies with distinction at the Jacopo Tomadini State Conservatory in Udine under Prof. Patrizia Tassini. Currently, she is completing her master's studies at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg under Prof. Stephen Fitzpatrick, while simultaneously pursuing a master's degree in instrumental pedagogy at the Jacopo Tomadini State Conservatory in Udine. Her exceptional talent has earned her the Dr. Roman Klasinc Award, as well as scholarships from the Zois Fund, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Ad Futura, and the Mladi upi Fund. Since 2017, she has been a protégé of the Gallus Foundation.

As a concert soloist, she performs on stages both at home and abroad, collaborates in chamber ensembles, and has recorded the album American Classics by Joachim Brügge in Salzburg. She also performs in a duo with guitarist Magdalena Banfić and pianist Vito Černko.