The goal of the 2nd INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION “PIANO KEY” is to promote musical culture and to challenge the young pianists to perform on the international musical scene. Furthermore, our goal is the promote the contemporary music and to simulate networking among the pianists and piano teachers.
SCHEDULE 2025.docxПравилник 2025. Rules and regulations 2025.docxJury for Primary School Categories:
Katerina Ketkovikj Fidanovska , Kolos Curi, Svetlana Dimitrievska, Daniel Oto
Jury for Secondary School Categories
Vesna Krsic, Elena Atanasovska Ivanovska, Ketrina Kjetkovikj Fidanovska
Francesca Vidal, born in San Donà di Piave(Venice), started playing piano at early age. In 2002 year she graduated summa cum laude at “G. Rossini” Conservatory in Pesaro and in 2008 year she achieved the Diploma Accademico Superiore-2nd level- summa cum laude, under the supervision of M° V. Balzani, at “G. Verdi” Conservatory in Milan. In 2002 year she earned master’s degree, mentored under the tutelage of M°Piero Rattalino, at “Santa Cecilia Foundation” in Portogruaro (Venice). She has study with M°F. Scala, M° B. Petrushansky and M° G. Valentini at “Incontri con il Maestro” International Piano Academy in Imola and also with M° Marian Rybicki at “Alfred Cortot” Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris (France). In 2010 year she earned the “Konzert Diplom”, under the tutelage of M° Filippo Gamba, with full marks excellence at Musik-Akademie der Stadt Basel in Basel (Switzerland). From 2011 year she pursued the academic career at “Santa Cecilia” Academy in Bergamo under the tutelage of M° K. Bogino and his aides. She attended Master classes taught by M° L. Morales, M° P. Badura.Skoda, M° C. Berner, M° E. Fadini, M° M. Beroff and M° A. Jasinski.
She won numerous prizes at national and international music competitions, i.e.: “Mozart Prize”, “Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe” in 1999 year, “Taddei” competition in 2003 year, “Paul Harris 2005” international competition in Milan , “Val Tidone 2005” international competition, “Valsesia Musica Monterosa Kawai” international competition in 2007 year, “Dino Ciani in the world” award plaque by Dino Ciani Association, international competition “Karl Drechsel Forderprieis” in Norimberga (Germany) in 2009 year, “Umanitaria” Competition in Milan and reached the final at the international competition “Pecar” in Gorizia, the third prize at international competition “Abano Terme City” in Abano Terme (Padua). In 2014 year She won the first prize at international competition “Hyperion,” in duos category and the second prize at international contest “Gaetano Zinetti” in Verona and Val Tidone (Piacenza).
She performed piano concerts at renowned associations both in Italy and abroad; i.e.: “Verdi” auditorium in Milan , “Alfred Cortot” theatre for Animato Association in Paris (France), “Stora Salen” at Royal College in Stoccolma (Sweden), “Manuel De Falla” theatre in Granada (Spain), “Steiway and Sons” concert hall in Monaco (Germany), Hamamatsu Concert Hall in Hamamatsu (Japan), “Gran Teatro La Fenice” in Venice, Italian Culture Institute of Barcellona (Spain), “Grosser Saal della Musik” Academy in Basilea (Switzerland), “Cancelleria di Roma” palace in Rome on occasion of “Uto Ughi for Rome” festival, “Teatro dell’Aquila” for Sinfonica Abruzzese Orchestra, Unesco World Heritage Center in Paris (France), “PucciniHall" for Società dei Concerti in Milan Conservatory, “Pierre Giannada Martigny” Foundation in Switzerland, “Parco della Musica ” in Rome, San Girolamo church in Assisi on the occasion of “Assisi nel Mondo” festival, “Sala Mozart” Philharmonic academy in Bologna, "Piatti Hall" in Bergamo and many other esteemed organizations.
She performed for Italian national radio broadcaster and tv stations such as Radio Classica, Canale 5 and Italia Uno. She played with Philharmonic orchestra “Mihail Jora” in Bacau (Romania), “La Piccola Sinfonica” orchestra in Milan, Ensamble Discovery Orchestra on the occasion of MITO (Milan-Turin International Music Festival), “Cantelli” orchestra of Milan. She played chamber music V. Balzani, M. Massa and A. Vinnisky. In 2017 year with Radio TV orchestra of Kiev she performed N° 5 concert by Beethoven – M° Vladimir Sheiko conductor – at “Gesualdo da Venosa” Auditorium of Conservatory in Potenza.
She is teaching Piano at "A. Buzzola" Conservatory of Adria. She has been teaching at " F. Cilea" Conservatory of Reggio Calabria, "A. Peri” Conservatory in Reggio Emilia and she is Art Director of International Piano Competition "Città di San Donà di Piave”. She hold several masterclasses and she has the honor of being part of the jury at several international competitions both in Italy and abroad.
Ilinka Manova is an award-winning Macedonian American pianist celebrated for her profound artistry and dedication to music. She began her formative musical journey under Professor Valentina Nolcheva in Skopje before pursuing advanced studies with Dr. Arbo Valdma in Cologne, Germany, and Dr. Solomon Mikowsky at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Awarded a full scholarship, she earned her master’s degree and Artist Diploma studying with Professor Stephanie Brown at SUNY Purchase. Ilinka furthered her education by obtaining a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Connecticut, where she studied with Dr. Angelina Gadeliya.
Ilinka's musical talent has earned her numerous accolades, including first prize at the 29th Artists International Competition in New York, which led to her solo recital debut at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in 2001. Among her honors are the prestigious DAAD German Scholarship, Emily and Eugene Grant, Clifford-Levy Creativity Grant, the Citta di Senigallia award in Italy, and the Yugoslav National Competition Award for Musicians in Sarajevo.
Her performances have graced world-renowned venues such as the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts in Taiwan, Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, the United Nations, Steinway Hall, Merkin Hall, Paul Hall, Von der Mehden Recital Hall, Opera America, Donnell New York Public Library, Palazzo Altieri, and Bohemian National Hall. Ilinka has also performed extensively across Europe—in cities like Paris, Rome, Bonn, Cologne, Geneva, Senigallia, Belgrade, Ljubljana, Skopje, and Ohrid—as well as in major cities throughout the United States. Her artistry has been featured in The New York Times, Greenwich Time, The Journal News, and prominent Macedonian publications. Her repertoire spans classical masterpieces to contemporary works, focusing on new compositions from her native Macedonia.
In addition to her distinguished performing career, Ilinka is a passionate advocate for music education and nonviolence through the arts. As Managing Director of ArtsAhimsa, a nonprofit organization promoting peace through creativity, she has played a key role in fostering meaningful connections through music. A sought-after teacher, she serves on the piano faculties of The New School – Mannes Prep Division and The Diller-Quaile School of Music in New York City, where her students have won accolades at national competitions and performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall.
From 2012 to 2022, Ilinka co-managed Rondo Young Artist, an international initiative aimed at nurturing emerging talent. As Executive Director and Co-Founder, she organized debut concerts for young musicians at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and led the annual Rondo Summer Academy in Geneva-Blonay, Switzerland.
Ilinka resides in New York City with her husband and their two teenage daughters
Danijel Oto started learning piano at the age of 12. He graduated at the Varaždin School of Music (where he majored in piano) under Miljenka Slunjski. At the age of 18 he enrolled at the Music Academy in Zagreb under Vladimir Krpan, prof., where he graduated with honours in 2009.
He has taken numerous master courses in piano and chamber music with eminent music pedagogues, such as P. Eicher, F. Scala, N. Flores, V. Krpan, K. Krasnitski, E. J. Kim. As an accompanist, he collaborates with many renowned artists, has performed with the Varaždin Chamber Orchestra, has recorded for the Croatian Radio and Television and has participated in recording of several music recordings. He has performed in many music halls in the country and abroad (Kaisersaal in Vienna, National Theater in Belgrade, Croatian Music Institute in Zagreb, University Hall in Ljubljana, Croatian National Theater in Varaždin and Osijek, Blagoja Berse Hall in Zagreb, Croatian Embassy in Berlin, Bern, Roma, Zurich). He is also engaged as the official accompanist of international competitions (auditions for the prestigious International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, Varaždin Woodwind & Brass Competition), numerous recitals and seminars. He has also served as a jury member at piano competitions in Croatia and abroad („Piccolo Piano Talents“,“ International Piano Competition Mozart“, "Mladi Padovec", "Mladi vituoz'', State competitions od Croatian pianist, Serbian pianist" Davorin Jenko", " Panonski festival pijanista '',
He worked at the Varaždin School of Music since 2008 and has achieved remarkable results as a music teacher and piano accompanist. His students perform at various concerts and recitals, playing as soloists accompanied by an orchestra or giving recitals. His students regulary participate in national and international music competitions and achive remarkable results. In his work so far, he has won more than 150 awards at national and international competitions. He is a member of EPTA (European Piano Teacher Association) and Jeunesses Musicales Croatia.
Vesna Kršić Sekulić
Vesna Kršić Sekulić (Belgrade, 1950), music theoretician, pedagogue, pianist and violist, graduated from the Piano section and Music theory at the Belgrade Faculty of Music, and has got her MA in Music pedagogue. She was a professor of the piano and the chamber music in the Music school Josip Slavenski in Belgrade. Since 1976. she has has been teaching solfeggio and methods as a full time professor at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade and also at the Faculty of Philologhy and Art in Kragujevac. In her class, up to now, 25 students graduated there and now 5 already outstanding young music pedagogues got their M.A. Beside her activity playing in piano duo, Vesna Kršić is also performing as piano accompanist. For several years she was the member – as a violist - of Academic Chamber Orchestra Dušan Skovran.
She is giving more than 40 lectures for the teachers of solfeggio, piano and chamber music. She also she wrote several books in this field.
Vesna Kršić regularly takes part in a number of simposiums. A lot of her articals abut music were published in magazines. As a jury member and also as the President of the Assotiation of Music pedagogues of Serbia, she initiated the foundation of the Spring festival of Chamber Music in Belgrade, the Tournament of Music Skills and the Parada in Solfeggio. Vesna Kršić was the representative of Serbia in EMCY ( European Music Competitions of Youth).
She performed in all the main cities of former Yugoslavia, France, Hungary, Israel, USA, Switzerland, and Belgium in recitals and in the radio and television programs. The piano duo Vesna Kršić - Snežana Nikolajević received the award of the Association of Music Artists of Serbia for the best concert held in 2010. Recordings of thereduo interpretations were published on several LP records and CDs.
Elena Atanasovska - Ivanovska
Elena Atanasovska–Ivanovska is one of the most successful and acclaimed Macedonian artists, distinguished by her refined sound, elegant expression, and great productivity, evident through her numerous performances in Macedonia and abroad.
Elena has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Russia, the United States, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, giving many concerts within renowned Macedonian festivals such as Ohrid Summer Festival, Skopje Summer Festival, Autumn Music Festivities, Days of Macedonian Music, Bitola Summer, Gevgelija Autumn, as well as international festivals including Sarajevo Winter (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Festival de Música do Palácio da Bolsa (Portugal), Festival de Música de Sant Pere de Rodes (Spain), Guarnerius – Centre of Fine Arts Jovan Kolundzija (Serbia), Carniarmonie, and others.
As a chamber musician, Elena regularly performs with Macedonian artists, but her collaborations with renowned international musicians are also remarkable, including clarinetists Sergey Petrov (principal clarinetist of the Bolshoi Theatre), Jan Jakub Bokun (professor at the Academy of Music in Wrocław, Poland), Pierre Genisson (France), flutist Dejan Gavrić (Germany/Serbia), violinist Hans-Peter Hoffmann (Germany), pianist Bertrand Giraud (France), clarinetist Gábor Varga (Hungary), soprano Terry Rhodes (USA), clarinetist Barbara Borowicz (Poland), and baritone Honzhu Chen (China), among others.
She has also appeared as a soloist with the Macedonian Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of the Jeunesses Musicales of Macedonia. Elena is active in recording projects — in addition to the CDs produced in collaboration with pianist Marija Gjosevska and clarinetist Risto Gjorevski in Macedonia, she continuously records as a collaborator with the F.A.M.E.S. film music orchestra, and she has released a CD featuring music from the Swedish royal Bernadotte dynasty for the Polish label DUX.
For the fourth consecutive year, she has been part of the faculty team of the Opus 74 Summer Music Academy in Flén, France. She has also served as a jury member at international competitions, including the D. Balakirev Music School in Moscow, Russia, and the Opus Artis Paris International Piano Competition in France.
She began studying piano in the class of Prof. Lepa Mrmevska and graduated cum laude from the Faculty of Music in Skopje in the class of the eminent pianist and pedagogue Boris Romanov, where she also completed her postgraduate and doctoral studies.
With her doctoral dissertation titled “The Use of the Biofeedback Method as a Means of Improving Musical Performance among Piano Students in the Republic of Macedonia,” under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Ganka Cvetanova, she earned the degree of Doctor of Science.
Elena Atanasovska–Ivanovska is currently an Associate Professor.
Katerina Kjetkovikj Fidanovska was born in Skopje, where she completed her primary and secondary music education.(Rita Popovikj and Todor Svetiev) She began her studies at the Music Academy in Zagreb in the class of the famous professor and pianist Vladimir Krpan and after two years continued them at the FMU Skopje in the class of prof. Todor Svetiev. She completed her postgraduate studies in the same class. During her schooling, she participated in several national and state competitions, winning first and third prizes. She attended seminars with eminent pianist-pedagogues, including Arbo Valdma, Jokut Mihajlovic, Anton Dikov and others. She has performed several times as a piano accompanist, and as a soloist she performed twice with the Symphony Orchestra of the Music Academy in Zagreb.
Since 1993, she has been working as a professor at DMBUC "Ilija Nikolovski - Luj" Skopje. She participated in several international school projects and as a member in the last project of the piano department in ERAZMUS+ in Varazdin/Croatia. Was in the organization of international competitions held in Skopje, as well as being a member of the jury of state competitions several times.
In her pedagogical work with students, she has won many first and special prizes at international and national competitions. With great success, they participate in various events and festivals and perform independent recitals and a performance with the Macedonian Philharmonic. They regularly attend seminars and summer master classes, and she accompanied them to the Summer School Master class at Istituto musicale "Angelo Masini" (July 2017) led by prof. Denis Zardi and the Summer Piano School in Grožnjan – Croatia (August 2019, 2023 and 2024) led by prof. Katarina Krpan from the Music Academy from Zagreb, Maestro Simon Trpceski, prof. Konstantin Krasnitsky, Danijel Oto, Aleksandar Serdar and Ioannis Potamousis
Katerina also appears as a reviewer of the latest teaching aid for piano "PIANISTICA"
She is the winner of the annual award "Phoenix" (2020) of the Municipality of Center for Achievements in Education, as well as an award for many years of successful teaching work from the association of music and ballet teachers of North Macedonia.
Kolos Curri - born in Skopje, started primary music school at the age of 7, while he started playing the piano at the age of 8. In 2010, he enrolled in high school of music at SSCMB "Ilija Nikolovski - Luj" in the class of Prof. m-r Edita Rusi, where he successfully completed. During high school, he participated in several national and international competitions where he was awarded with the following prizes: 2nd prize - competition of young musicians "Arskosova", 2nd prize - Third international competition of young musicians - Gevgelija, two 1st prizes for counterpoint in the international competition - "Mihailo" Nikolovski. In 2014, he enrolled at the Faculty of Music - Skopje, in the class of Prof. d-r. Ana Gaceva. During his studies, he participated in the international Art Festival - Dojrana, where he won the 1st prize. In the international festival "Lake pearls" - in Struga, he won the highest prize - Pearl of the competition in the category of classical music, as well as in the international chamber music competition in Kavadarci where he won the special prize. He attends master classes with eminent professors and pianists, such as: Denis Cefanov, Nenad Lecic, Heidi Elzeser, Jaksha Zlatar, etc.
He performed at "Musica Viva", as well as various solo and chamber concerts. He graduated from the Faculty of Music Arts with the highest grade. In 2018, he got a freelance job at the Cultural Information Center - CIC - Skopje, as the head of music department while in March 2019, he was employed as a piano teacher at SSCMB "Ilija Nikolovski - Luj”. He performs in many cities across the country, as well as abroad.
In 2021 he was the chairman of the commission for professional, amateur and youth activities in the field of musical arts - City of Skopje.
He is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the Faculty of Music - Skopje.
Svetlana Dimitrievska is a head of the piano department, pianist and a piano & chamber music pedagogue at State Music and Ballet Educational Centre “Ilija Nikolovski – Luj”, Skopje in North Macedonia. She starts her piano lessons with the teacher Snezana Anastasova Cadikovska and Katerina Gelebeseva Kostadinovska. After the secondary school, she continues her music studies in the piano class of MA Todor Svetiev at the Faculty of Music Arts “St. Kiril and Metodij” in Skopje. In the same class later, she finishes her Postgraduate studies in piano performance
Svetlana Dimitrievska is a well-recognized piano teacher. Her students has received international and national awards in Serbia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Macedonia. Many of them are the highest first prizes and special awards.
During her pedagogical work, she has received many recognitions in France, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Macedonia and was awarded with certificates for excellent pedagogical results in music competitions, diplomas for progress and development in the music field, contribution to the discovery and development of young talents, certificates for attending seminars by eminent pianists, participation in the creation of the piano teaching program of the Ministry of Education in Macedonia, participation in professional lectures organized by EPTA, participation in the training for new interactive teaching methodologies and e-Learning.
Svetlana Dimitrievska is a member of the organization team and the jury of the State competitions in North Macedonia. She is a full member of EPTA Macedonia.
She is a promotor of the event Piano Day Skopje, a well-known concert event that promotes young piano talents and new contemporary composers.
Beside the educational work and organization, she also performs as a pianist with Macedonian instrumentalists. Her students regularly perform in many concerts, festivals, competitions.
Svetlana is a member of the trio “Animato”, which is member of the Union of Macedonian Musical Artists.
Ema Popivoda is an acclaimed Macedonian concert pianist and Professor of Piano at the Music Academy in Shtip, Macedonia. Born in a musical family (her mother is also a musician), Popivoda’s talent shone through from a young age and it was quite clear that this charismatic young lady was destined to become a musician. During her bachelor degree, Ms. Popivoda had the privilege to study under renowned experts such as Stela Slejanska, Aquiles Delle Vigne, Boris Romanov, William Howard and Arbo Valdma to name but a few. In 2013, she completed her doctorate studies in piano performance with the highest grade. Internationally active, this young pianist has participated in the “Mozarteum Summer Academy” in Salzburg, Austria and “Dartington Academy” in Devon – UK. She also holds an IGSCE studies certificate from the University of Cambridge and has acquired a Teacher Accreditation for the British music program.
Her career highlights include a solo recitals at “Devonia church” in London, “MC Gallery” and “Baza studio” in New York, “Suntory Hall” and “Symphony Salon” in Tokyo, “Jan Deyl Conservatory Hall” in Prague, “Mirbach Palace” in Bratislava, “Teatro Marcello” Rome, “Korosy Szalon” in Budapest, “Art Base” in Brussels, “House of the King Peter” in Belgrade, Soloist with the West Coast Symphony orchestra – Vancouver at Skopje Summer Festival and soloist with Profundis Orchestra on a concert tour in Italy. In 2023, together with the Japanese pianist Asami Sate, Popivoda was performing on a concert tour in Japan – Tokyo, Chigasaki, Utsunomiya including a concert at the one of the most prestigious concert halls in the world – “Suntory Hall”.
She is also an ardent and committed chamber musician who performs frequently at the most prestigious festivals and cultural events with a wide range of musical collaborators, including oboists Jaroslaw Wyrzikovsky and Vladimir Lazarevski, guitarist Petrit Ceku, clarinetists Branko Pavlovski and Georgious Kazikos, violinist Vladimir Krstev, pianists Tatjana Dzorleva and Asami Sate.
Alongside with her career as a classical pianist, she has simultaneously participated in an experimental project of fusion music. In 2015, Potevska was a soloist with Orchestra regional de Cannes, in Nice, France performing a Concerto for piano, orchestra and a DJ, with the world known DJ Derrick May, conducted by Dzijan Emin. The musical critics in Austria acclaimed her authors concert “Acoustic electronics” for piano and drums as unique, inspiring and refreshing. Popivoda’s latest project “Supersonic” for piano and chamber orchestra, where Ema is a soloist and author of the compositions was well received in the Balkan region and Italy.
During pandemic time in 2021, the piano duo Popivoda & Sate was awarded by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for their music video. Their music video was selected among 20.000 participants.
Ema has also represented Macedonia as a member of the world leadership network “Global bridges” as a young cultural leader. She has been honored in her homeland as a leader in the area of culture and arts by the President of the Republic of Macedonia HE Gorgje Ivanov.
