IRENA PREDA & PETRA KOPRIVEC

"What a beautiful voice! She is wonderful!"

- Montserrat Caballé

"Everyone melted when she sang!" - His Majesty Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

"She moved me! From the moment she stepped on stage, her appearance, her connection with the public—this is a real singer! And her voice... aaah! I look forward to the flowering of this artistic path!"

- Rolando Villazón

Soprano Irena Preda studied at Trinity College of Music in London, where she graduated with honours and the highest grade of the year, and then went on to complete her Master's degree with honours at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She mastered her skils with opera singers such as Montserrat Caballé, Teresa Berganza, and Sir John Tomlinson, and her acting with actors Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Pryce and Imelda Staunton. 

She made her debut in the role of Carmen in Bizet's Carmen at the Greenwich Theatre in London and in Slovenia as Nina in the new Slovenian opera Ljubezen kapital by Jani Golob at SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana. In addition to Slovenia, she has performed with renowned soloists and orchestras in England, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, India, Italy, Israel, Canada, Macedonia, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Scotland, Sweden, Sri Lanka, and the USA. In Slovenia, she has performed several times with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, RTV Slovenija Symphony Orchestra, and Ave Choir, as well as the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana Orchestra, and in Croatia with the Ivan Zajc Rijeka Orchestra. She works with composers both in Slovenia and abroad and she also gave a solo recital at Washington's Kennedy Centre.

Irena Preda performed in front of Queen Elizabeth, in the British Parliament in Westminster Cathedral, at the World Expo in Shanghai, and at the United Nations. In Spain, she was invited by the legendary Montserrat Caballé to perform with her at a concert of Puccini's arias. In London, she performed with Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, and three times at the Prešeren Awards. In Slovenia, you can see her in as many as four theatre productions: Gremo vsi! (co-author), Srce na dlani at the Slovenian Youth Theatre, for which he and Polona Janežič wrote the music, Rebeldias posibles (Possible Rebellions), a play written and performed in Spanish, and Zraka!, with directors Janez Janša, Irena Tomažin, and Boštjan Narat, where Irena is also a co-author. She works successfully with the international tango band Del Plata, with whom she performed at Mont Orgueil Castle on the island of Jersey and at the National Theatre in London. She performed with jazz and gospel ensembles in top jazz clubs, such as London's Ronnie Scott's, and also participated in the Sounds of Slovenia project, with which she presented the Slovenian musical tradition in a modern version to the world.   Since 2012, she has been running her own singing school with students in Slovenia, the USA, South Korea, Denmark, and Taiwan. As of 2019, she is also a mentor and occasional conductor at the Urban Voices Project, a choir of people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in Los Angeles. In Washington, Irena Preda held a master class in singing technique for the singers of the Capitol Hill Chorale and a singing technique workshop for actors at the Slovenian Youth Theatre and the Ljubljana Puppet Theater. In Slovenia, she is a mentor to several vocal ensembles.

Ona magazine named Irena Preda one of the 50 best Slovenian women, and her portrait by the author Uroš Abram was displayed in the National Gallery in Ljubljana.

Petra Koprivec is a distinguished concert pianist, professor, and composer who began her musical journey at age three. Educated at leading European conservatories, she earned three master’s degrees with honours under esteemed mentors such as Dubravka Tomšič - Srebotnjak, dr. Laszlo Baranyay and Aleksandar Madžar.

As a soloist, she has performed with renowned orchestras including Slovenia's National Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra and the Danube Symphony Orchestra in Budapest. Petra’s compositions have been featured in dance and theater, and she founded the innovative Luminartesextet in 2017, focusing on her original music. She has received numerous accolades, including the Prešeren Award and a master’s degree from the Royal Academy in Brussels with special distinction.

Innovation is at the heart of Petra’s career. In 2019, she launched a Brussels-based jazz trio, blending classical, jazz, and traditional music with her signature sound. Her compositions often incorporate intricate rhythms and harmonies, captivating audiences with their blend of genres. Petra also explores the science of music, releasing three albums of Sofia Soundscapes in 2022 and 2023. These soundscapes are based on specific frequencies using mathematical principles like the golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence, creating deeply immersive music used for meditation, healing, and relaxation.

As a teacher, Petra emphasises a personalised, intuitive approach. Her work with various levels of musicians, along with her master thesis Perfect Pitch Phenomena, highlights her dedication to musical education. Petra’s teaching philosophy focuses on helping students overcome technical and emotional challenges, encouraging growth through inspiration and discipline.

In 2023, Petra founded Sofia Academy, a multidisciplinary hub for education, music, arts, and well-being in Slovenia. The academy offers a range of programs, from concerts to workshops, within a serene studio environment designed to foster creativity and learning. This initiative is an extension of Petra’s commitment to artistic excellence, which began with her co-founding Pianist's Corner in Brussels alongside Umut Vicdan in 2019. There, they launched a unique venue—the first in Belgium to host boutique house concerts featuring the world's most renowned artists, which are also published online. Through Sofia Academy, Petra continues to expand her impact, nurturing talent and contributing to the cultural landscape while empowering individuals to achieve their full potential in music and beyond.

WEBSITE

www.petrakoprivec.com