Conductor ...

… composer ...

… harpist.

Jan Gorjanc Daniso is a Slovenian conductor, composer, and harpist whose artistic work spans orchestral and choral conducting, composition, and solo performance. He earned Bachelor’s degrees in Harp and Composition from the Royal College of Music, where he studied harp with Rachel Masters and composition with Haris Kittos. He later completed Master’s degrees in Orchestral Conducting and Choral Conducting and Choral Composition at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Tartini, graduating in the latter with highest honours (110/110) under the guidance of maestro Marco Angius and maestro Adriano Martinolli D’Arcy.

As a choral conductor, Gorjanc Daniso has received numerous distinctions at international competitions, including gold and silver awards, second place in a Grand Prix category, first prize in the vocal ensemble category, awards for best-performed work, and special recognition for outstanding conducting. As an orchestral conductor, he has collaborated with several orchestras and ensembles, including the North Czech Symphony Orchestra in performances featuring operatic soloists.

An accomplished harpist, he has performed at some of London’s most prestigious venues, including Buckingham Palace, Royal Festival Hall, and Cadogan Hall. As a soloist, he has appeared with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra in venues such as Cankarjev Dom, the studios of RTV Slovenia, and the Baroque Hall of Radovljica Manor House. His solo recitals have also been presented at the Club of Cankarjev Dom, St. James’ Church, and the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, among others.

As a composer, Gorjanc Daniso’s catalogue includes a broad range of vocal and instrumental works, including three staged operas. His most recent opera, Julka in Janez, was commissioned and premiered by the Slovenian National Opera Ljubljana. His first opera received its premiere at Cadogan Hall, while his choral work Te dan je usega vese'ja! was awarded second prize and performed by APZ Tone Tomšič in Ljubljana. His choral music continues to be performed by his own ensembles as well as other Slovenian choirs.

He currently serves as conductor and artistic director of the Mixed and Chamber Academic Choir of the University of Primorska, the Female Choir Petrol, and the Mixed Choir Musica Viva Kranj – Primskovo. Previously, he held the same position with Grudnove Šmikle, with whom he achieved several award-winning performances. In addition to directing extensive annual concert seasons, he has also conceived and organised special artistic and charitable projects, including the benefit concert Povežimo bregove, presented by all three choirs and operatic soloists in support of victims of the August 2023 floods in Slovenia.