Josip Nalis

Josip Nalis is an accomplished cultural manager, executive producer, and music professional with extensive experience in the development and promotion of classical music in Croatia and across Europe. Combining strong academic training with long-standing leadership practice, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the organization and production of major music festivals, concert seasons, and international projects.

He graduated from the Music Academy, Zagreb with a University degree in Orchestral Conducting (2004–2010), having previously earned a University degree in Music Pedagogy (1994–1998). His education provided a solid foundation that bridges artistic excellence and music education.

Since July 2021, he has served as Program Manager at the Cultural Information Center, Zagreb, where he is responsible for the organization of classical concerts and music festivals and acts as Artistic Director of the Grič Evenings Festival. In parallel, since September 2020, he has been the Founder and Managing Director of Platform for Culture, Zagreb, organizing classical concert cycles and festivals, music seminars and competitions, and fostering collaborations with cultural institutions, musicians, and ensembles.

From 2018 to 2023, he served as President of the Managing Board and Executive Producer of the Osor Musical Evenings Festival (Zagreb/Osor), overseeing the planning and organization of the festival, as well as budget and funding management. Between 2009 and 2023, he was General Secretary and Executive Producer of the Lovro & Lilly Matačić Foundation, Zagreb, where he organized masterclasses and an international conducting competition, collaborating with cultural institutions to promote the legacy of Croatia’s most important conductor, Lovro von Matačić.

From 2017 to 2021, he worked as Advisor to the General Manager of the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, planning and organizing classical music events and managing budgets and funding. Between 2013 and 2020, he was a Board Member of Jeunesses Musicales Croatia, contributing to the strategic direction and oversight of the association’s activities.

From 2012 to 2017, he served as Managing Director of Zagreb Concert Management, the largest music event agency in Croatia, where he led the agency’s operations, managed budgets and funding, planned musical seasons, cycles, and festivals, and collaborated closely with cultural institutions. Prior to that, from 2006 to 2012, he was Assistant Managing Director of the same agency. Between 2003 and 2006, he worked as Advisor in Music at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, overseeing and advising on the Ministry’s financing of musical programs and monitoring music activities throughout Croatia.

He began his professional career as a Music Teacher at Matija Gubec Primary School, Zagreb (1998–2003), teaching students aged 11–14 and leading the school choir and orchestra.

Among his selected major projects are Osor Music Evenings (2018–2023), International Folklore Festival Zagreb (2012–2017), the Lovro von Matačić Conducting Competition, and the symphonic cycle “Svijet glazbe” (The World of Music) at the Lisinski Concert Hall, featuring renowned orchestras such as Dresden Staatskapelle, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, and Budapest Festival Orchestra (2012–2017).

Josip Nalis is proficient in English and Bulgarian and has a basic knowledge of Dutch. He combines artistic vision, strategic leadership, and international experience, positioning himself as a key contributor to contemporary cultural management and the advancement of classical music.