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.

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 

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.

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.