The Art of Accordion: Deny Vogrin's Musical Journey and Mastery
- WOMCO
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Deny Vogrin was awarded the Best Accordionist of the Season in the Professional (No age limit) category of the 2025 Season 2 International Music Leadership Award.
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
Well, my name is Deny Vogrin and I am an accordionist from Slovenia. I live in a small town called Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih goricah (I know, too long :) ). But recently I have been everywhere else except at home. Currently I am studying at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen where I spend most of my time studying with professors Geir Draugsvoll and Bjarke Mogensen. I come from a musical family. My mother plays zithers, my father used to play diatonic accordion, or as we call it "frajtonarca" (used only for folk music), my sister plays flute, grandpa trumpet and grandma tries to join with cooking pots. My mother always tells a story how I was jumping in front of a TV with small accordion. Because I had so much passion, they put me in a music school where I little by little started to get interested in classical music. I play accordion for over 15 years. I started on a piano accordion and after 9 years I switched to a chromatic one.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
Usually, preparations for competitions take a long time but recording for this one was a late decision. I decided cca. 2 weeks prior to the competition it would be a nice challenge trying to prepare for it in such a small time frame. Basically, I had to practise at least 5 hours per day or more but over the years it has already become a routine.
What do you believe defines a great accordionist, and how do you incorporate your unique style into your music?
In my opinion being great is not enough anymore. There is a lot of great accordionists out there. That means, technique, coordination, speed is not enough. You need to stand out, either musically or in any other aspect. For me personally, musicality is a major component but I am also trying to incorporate and experiment with body movement, eyes, head and arms as well as breathing. These are the details not many think of but separate great from amazing.
Can you recall a memorable moment from your career that had a significant impact on you?
There are few moments I think were a jump to the new chapter of my musical journey. The earliest one I can recall is the first competition when I was just 8. Winning the title of a champion in my category in 2017, conducting to a choir at a concert or first time my original piece was played. But bigger ones were in last two years such as being accepted to study in Copenhagen, being elected as one of a so called young rising stars in Slovenia or playing with a slovenian Big band and RTV orchestra. I am also invited to play in Paris few months from now.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
I like the variety this competition offers but I think a concert would be a nice reward for the best ones. Who doesn't want to play in a big city like London. For now it is still a goal I am trying to reach! I would like to thank my professor, my family, and everybody that helped me on my journey. Big thanks also to International Music Leadership Award team for making this interview and this opportunity come true!
Biography
My name is Deny Vogrin, and I am currently a student at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Music has been a part of my life since childhood – it is my escape from the world and a source of inner peace. I’ve been studying the accordion for over 15 years and graduated from the Conservatory of Music and Ballet in Maribor, Slovenia. In January 2024, I passed the entrance exam in Denmark and continued my musical education in Copenhagen.
I began competing internationally at the age of eight, with my first competition in Pula, Croatia. Since then, I’ve taken part in numerous national, international, and online competitions in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Italy and so on, earning many awards and first prizes. A significant highlight was winning first place and the title of national champion at the TEMSIG competition in 2017.
While the accordion is my primary instrument, I also play the saxophone and piano. I have a deep passion for composition and conducting. I compose works for solo instruments, chamber ensembles, and orchestras. One of my compositions, Iz globine ("From the Depths")—written for clarinet, accordion, and harp—was performed at the concert of young composers in The Knightly Hall in Maribor. I’ve also had the opportunity to conduct the Conservatory’s mixed choir, performing very known choral work Nevesta, le jemlji slovo.
Over the years, I’ve participated in various concerts, recitals, and festivals, including the Festival Maribor and the World Accordion Day events. I’ve performed in solo and chamber settings, including my own concerts marking the completion of lower music school (2019) and upper secondary music school (2023). I’ve also attended seminars in Rimske Terme and Ptuj, and worked with professors such as Zagoranski, Juhart, Magdić, Veli, Ferreira, Mogensen and Draugsvoll.
In addition to my live performances, my playing can be heard in various online videos and recordings. I’m also active as a composer with pieces such as Concert for accordion and orchestra: Cirkus, trios Iz globine and Sence iz teme, and a suite, sonata and magnificat currently in development.
I wish to continue performing, composing, conducting, and sharing knowledge through education—both in Slovenia and internationally. My ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impact through music, even long after I’m gone.
