Ivana Črnjak

Ivana Črnjak finished the Accordion Study in 2000 at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz (Austria) in the class of renowned experts for the classical
accordion James Crabb and Geir Draugsvoll. After graduating, she continued her postgraduate studies in the soloist class of professor James Crabb and post graduated with excellent success in 2002. Except solo accordion class, she also finished pedagogy Instrumental-Gesang-Pädagogik (IGP – direction of instrumental music pedagogy) and violoncello as the other main subject.

At the end of her postgraduate studies, she enrolled the doctorate of philosophy in Graz, also at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz, and in 2008 she passed the Rigorosum exam, and has become Doctor of Philosophy. The theme of her dissertation was Das Akkordeon in Kroatien (“Accordion in Croatia”) which is closely related to her
professional commitment.

She improved her music education by regularly attending numerous seminars where she cooperated with well-known world-class pedagogues and soloists, and she proved and
confirmed her acquired knowledge at numerous national and international competitions, where she has won a lot of awards.

After completing her studies, she returned to Croatia where she has been working at the Music School Zlatko Baloković in Zagreb since 2003 as a professor of the accordion, cello and chamber music. Since September 2023. she is accordion teacher at the Music School “Ferdo Livadić” in Samobor. After her education, she has been dedicated to pedagogical work, and her students regularly participate in numerous competitions and win numerous awards. In 2015, based on her achieved results, the Ministry of Science, Education and
Sports of the Republic of Croatia and the Education and Training Agency, promoted her in professor mentor and in 2020 she was promoted in the status of professor counsellor.

Ivana Črnjak is the author of the primer book for the accordion called ‘HOKUS POKUS HARMONIKUS!’; published in 2018, which combines two different right-hand system on the accordion (keys and buttons) as well as two left hand manual systems (standard bass and baritone bass). The method in this primer book allows equal use for those students who play piano accordion, as well as students who play button accordion. The primer book HOKUS POKUS HARMONIKUS! can be used by students who play instruments with standard bass only, as well as those whose standard bass instruments have additional melodic bass. The primer book is completely coordinated with the Curriculum and the program for the first grade of accordion of the elementary music school, and it is approved by the Education and Training Agency.

Ivana Črnjak is a member of many judiciary commissions of national and international competitions for accordions, and she is a mentor of accordions trainees. She has also been a member of the Committee for Professional Examinations at the Education and Training Agency for many years.

Beside her teaching work, she writes professional articles in the field of pedagogy and accordions methodology, lecturer at seminars and professional meetings, and, throughout the range of her various activities, she actively promotes classical accordions. She is also a member of Matica Hrvatska for many years.

As a reproduction artist, she plays with different ensembles (Accoquartet, Cantus ensemble, Acoustic project).