Nenad Merle

Professor NENAD MERLE (Zagreb, 1956) graduated at the Academy of Music in Zagreb under Prof. Martin Barić. He was a violin and chamber music teacher for many years at the Pavao Markovac School of Music in Zagreb and was head of the strings department from 1979 to 2022. From 1988 to 1991 he served as headmaster.

He educated numerous young violinists. His pupils achieve outstanding performances at concerts and competitions (they won 177 prizes, among which 94 first prizes, eight times with a maximum of 100 points, two times Grand Prix, special prize of EMCY, etc.), and they record for radio and television. At their performances, his students win high marks from the profession, critics and the audience. A total of 44 students graduated the violin in his class.

He is a member and president of many judging panels at international, national and regional competitions. He participates in the development of curricula and teaching programs. He is a mentor to students of the Academy of Music (methodology subject) and young teachers for professional exams.

He is a member of the Croatian Association of Orchestral and Chamber Artists. For a number of years, he worked in many orchestras (Gaudeamus Chamber Orchestra, Croatian Chamber Orchestra, HRT Symphony Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic, Varaždin Chamber Orchestra).

He is the winner of the Croatian Association of Music and Dance Educators Annual Award for 2002, and in the same year, the Agency for Education and Training appointed him head of the intercounty expert council for violin and viola. The Ministry of Science and Education and the Education Agency awarded him nine awards “for excellent work with students”. He was also twice awarded the Professor Balthazar award for excellence. In 2006, he was promoted to the title of professor mentor, and in 2008 to the title of professor adviser. In 2023, the Croatian Association of String Pedagogues awarded him the Plaque of Honorary Member for his long-term contribution and development of string pedagogy in the Republic of Croatia, while the Croatian Association of Music and Dance Pedagogues awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award.