Accordionist Sanja Mlinarič is dedicated to exploring the role and possibilities of the accordion within classical music. Her artistic work encompasses both solo and chamber music, with a particular interest in the expressive potential of the instrument and in the musical relationships it creates with other instruments. Through her choice of repertoire and collaborative work, she seeks to challenge established perceptions of the accordion while exploring its versatility and expressive range.

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In 2019, Sanja became the first accordionist to receive the Boris Pergamenschikow Prize, followed by the Dwight and Ursula Mamlok Prize in 2022. In the same year, she was the overall winner of the Val Tidone Competition, where she also received the Anguissola Scotti Prize.

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Sanja has performed at major concert venues including Philharmonie Berlin, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Konzerthaus Berlin, Musikverein Graz and the Slovenian Philharmonic. Her festival appearances include Wien Modern, Unerhörte Musik, Ljubljana Festival and Du Vert à l’Infini, among others.

Her performances and recordings have been broadcast by Ö1, Deutschlandfunk, Radio Slovenia, Radio Belgrade and Radio New Zealand.

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Sanja studied accordion in Graz with Professor Janne Rättyä and completed her studies in Chamber Music at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin with Professor Martin Spangenberg.