Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak
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Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak (born 1940 in Dubrovnik, Croatia) is a Slovenian pianist and music teacher of Croatian origin.
Her substantial talent as a pianist was made obvious while receiving private instruction at a young age, so it was only natural that she continue her education in the field, first at the Music high school in Ljubljana and later at the Slovene Academy of Music under professor Zora Zarnikova. Following the advice of the famous Claudio Arrau, she left for the United States at age 12, and in 1957 graduated at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, studying under professor Katharine Bacon, while at the same time improving her skill under the mentorship of A. Uninski (1955). She was considered to be the greatest musical talent of her time in the US. After her Juilliard graduation she studied with the legendary Artur Rubinstein, and in 1959 she received her Bachelor's degree.
Since 1967 she has taught piano at the Slovene Academy of music in Ljubljana, and since 1975 as a full professor. She has an astounding concert career and is often invited as a judge at the prestigious piano recitals including Van Cliburn, Leeds, L. v. Beethoven, Clara Haskil, etc. Dubravka Tomšič is a very much sought after performer, holding regular concerts all around Europe, Asia, North America, Mexico, Australia and Africa. She's credited with more than 3,500 performances and more than 20 record and 70 CD releases. For her artistic and pedagogic endeavours she's received numerous awards: 3. prize at the "Ferruccio Busoni" recital (Bolzano, 1961), Prešeren fund award (1962), 1. award at Mozart's festival recital (Brussels, 1967), Župančič's award (1970), gold lyre SUMUJ award (1974), Prešeren's award (1975), Avnoj award (1976), golden award of the University in Ljubljana for her pedagogic and artistic achievements (1989), etc. She is an honorary member of the Slovene Philharmonic since 1995.
Her students include: Majda Martinc, Sonja Pahor, Hinko Haas, Lidija Stanković, Tatjana Ognjanović, Tomaž Petrač, Anja German, Miha Haas, Slaven Kulenovic, Tadej Horvat and Fada Azzeh.
She is married to the Slovenian composer Alojz Srebotnjak and has a son Martin Srebotnjak, who is a Slovenian film director.
