Croatian cellist, Ivana Biliškov, is a Master’s graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso where she studied with the Grammy award winning cellist, Zuill Bailey. During her career, Ivana has performed with many regional orchestras, and competed in both domestic and international competitions, winning 10 first prizes in solo, chamber, and orchestral categories. Ivana has participated in masterclasses with acclaimed musicians such as Lynn Harrell, Melissa Kraut, Heidi Litschauer, Hans Jørgen Jensen, Dora Schwarzberg, and is a three-time recipient of the Gloria Miner Fellowship at the Sitka International Cello Festival in Alaska.

Ivana made her international debut at the 2017 Chamber competition “Mozart=Salzburg” held in Tokyo, Japan where she won the “Grand Prix” as part of a piano trio. After winning this competition, Ivana performed in Vienna’s famous hall, the Mozarthaus. In the same year, Ivana also won the University of North Texas Concerto Competition and performed her winning Dvorak Cello Concerto with the UNT Symphony Orchestra in March of 2018. Ivana has performed in Europe and Asia, as well as in various states across the US. 

At 18, Ivana came to the United States to pursue her BM in Cello Performance on a full scholarship with prof. Nikola Ružević at the University of North Texas where she received the “Best Undergraduate in Strings” award in 2017. There, she served as the principal of the University of North Texas Symphony orchestra. Ivana then went on to study at the University of Texas at El Paso and obtained her MM in Cello Performance on a teaching assistant fellowship. During her graduate studies, Ivana was actively involved in “El Paso Pro Musica”, a community outreach program where she regularly brought music to hospitals, schools, and events throughout the city. Ivana is currently located in Portland, Oregon where she teaches and works as a freelance musician.