Leon Ravnikar
Leon Ravnikar, a gifted classical guitarist from Slovenia, is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most promising young talents in the international guitar scene. He began his musical journey at the age of seven under the guidance of professor Denis Kokalj at the Škofja Loka Music School. After completing his foundational training, he continued his studies at the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet, where he developed his artistic voice and technical mastery in class of prof. Eva Hren. He is currently pursuing his studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna where he finished his Bachelor degree with highest grade and is continuing his master studies under the mentorship of acclaimed guitarist and composer professor Nejc Kuhar, who praises his intellectual maturity, musical insight, and disciplined work ethic. Leon continues to refine his craft by participating in masterclasses and festivals with some of the world's leading guitarists, including Paolo Pegoraro, Judicaël Perroy, Alvaro Pierri, Hubert Käppel, and many others.
Leon has received numerous awards at both national and international competitions, including multiple top prizes at the TEMSIG National Competition, and prestigious honors in Austria, Italy, Poland, Romania, and beyond. Notably, he achieved first place at competitions such as the Enrico Mercatali price at Altamira guitar competition in Gorizia, guitar festival in Sarajevo, Alirio Diaz International Guitar Competition, Franz Cibulka International Guitar Competition in Graz, as well as a Grand Prix at the Baltic Guitar Days (2023) and 1st price at 33rd Iserlohn guitar festival with his guitar duo - Duo Chameleon, alongside Polish guitarist Kamil Anioł. In 2023, Leon was awarded third prize at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna's "Great Talent Award", where he competed among instrumentalists and ensembles across disciplines—a testament to his high artistic level. Leon is a five-time award winner at TEMSIG, and the recipient of the Škerjanec Award for exceptional artistic achievement, awarded by the Ljubljana Conservatory. His artistry has been recognized for "exceptional musicality and technical skill that only few of his peers possess," as noted by professor Eva Hren.
He has performed as a soloist in prominent venues including the Slovenian Philharmonic, Ljubljana Opera House, Cankarjev dom's Gallus Hall, the Musikverein in Vienna, and in concert halls abroad in cities such as Seville and Sarajevo. As a passionate chamber musician, he collaborates in diverse ensembles and has also performed as a soloist with orchestra.
Some of his achievements:
• 1st prize at the international Rust Rust competition in Austria (2018),
• 2nd prize and gold plaque at the Enrico Marcetali international competition in Italy (2019)
• 2nd prize and gold award at the national competition TEMSIG 2021 + Special prize for the best performance of a compulsory composition and a composition by a Slovenian composer
• 1st prize at the international Danubia Talents Liszt online competition (2021)
• 3rd prize at the Alirio Diaz International Guitar Festival, Rust, Austria (2022)
• 2nd prize and gold award at the guitar competition in Krško (2022)
• 1st prize at the international competition of young musicians Harmonia Cordis, Romania (2022)
• 1st prize at the Alirio Diaz International Guitar Competition in Rust, Austria (2023)
• 3rd prize at the international guitar competition in Montenegro (2022)
• 3rd prize at the prestigious competition of the University of Music and Visual Arts Vienna, Great talent award 2023, where he also competed with other instruments and chamber ensembles
• 1st prize at the 5th Franz Cibulka International Guitar Competition in Graz 2023
• 1st prize at the 2nd international competition of the Spanish Embassy in Velenje, VelEspaña 2023
• 1st prize + special prize for the best performance of the compulsory composition at the 53rd national competition TEMSIG 2024, Vrhnika
• 2nd prize at the 13th International Guitar Festival in Sarajevo 2024
• 1st prize at 22nd international guitar competition Altamira Gorizia (Enrico Mercatali prize) 2025
• 1st prize at 30th international guitar competition FORUM Gitarre Wien 2025
DUO:
• 2nd prize at the 20th Altamira guitar competition in Gorica 2023
• 1st prize and Grand prix at the guitar festival Baltic guitar days 2023 in Szczecin, Poland
• 2nd prize at the 22th Altamira guitar competition in Gorica 2025
• 1st prize at 33rd International guitar festival Iserlohn 2025