Studio Dan

Studio Dan is organized as a non-profit association. More than 70% of our annual budget goes directly into artistic work – fees, productions, and the realization of our projects.
Our funding rests on two solid pillars: 57% of our income comes from guest performances and concert fees, while 43% is provided through public funding. Without this reliable foundation, our work would not be possible.
We are deeply grateful to our supporters and public funding institutions for their trust and, in many cases, long-standing commitment.
Since 2025, we are also proud to be accompanied by a distinguished Advisory & Supporting Board that enriches our work with expertise, enthusiasm, and foresight.

Brigitta Blaha
Brigitta Blaha has served as a diplomat in Washington, Bangkok, Rome, and Tokyo, as well as Consul General in Hong Kong and New York, and later as Austrian Ambassador to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Since her retirement in 2018, she has been active as President of the Austria–Pakistan Society, Vice President of the Alumni Club of the Diplomatic Academy, and as a mentor (including in the University of Vienna’s “Alma” program). She regularly gives lectures and moderates panel discussions. She enriches our board with diplomatic experience, cultural mediation, and her extensive international network.

Elke Hesse
Since 2011, Elke Hesse has served as Director of the MuTh concert hall of the Vienna Boys’ Choir and was awarded the honorary title of Professor in 2019 for her outstanding cultural engagement. Following her tenure as Artistic Director of the Bad Hersfeld Festival from 2006 to 2009, she will return to this role from the 2026 season to lead the festival through its 75th anniversary in 2030. Her expertise in sustainable cultural mediation, active audience engagement, and fundraising strategically strengthens our board.

Wiktoria Pelzer
Wiktoria Pelzer took over as Managing Director of Stadtkino Film Distribution and Cinema in Vienna as well as the Admiral Kino on January 1, 2023. Since 2017 she had been responsible for programming there, establishing a reputation in particular for her curatorial quality and her ability to foster a fresh cultural dialogue. She initiated the nationwide subscription project nonstop Kino, designed as a countrywide arthouse cinema pass. She contributes to our board with many years of leadership experience, strategic foresight, and valuable insights into her extra-musical cultural network in Vienna and Austria.

Axel Petri‑Preis
Axel Petri‑Preis is a university professor for music mediation and community music, as well as Deputy Head of the Institute for Music Education Research and Practice (IMP) at the mdw in Vienna. He is the founder and Editor‑in‑Chief of the International Journal of Music Mediation and recently co-edited the Handbook of Music Mediation. His work, characterized by diversity-conscious mediation, community engagement, and interdisciplinary research, will enrich our board, particularly in the area of educational and outreach initiatives.

Julia Purgina
Julia Purgina is a composer and former long-time violist with the ensemble. After many years as a professor and administrator at the MUK, she became Vice-Rector for Arts and Teaching at the Anton Bruckner Private University in 2022; since October 2024, she has been Professor of Composition and Historical Counterpoint at the mdw. Her interdisciplinary practice as a composer, musician, educator, and university manager provides our board with a wide range of expertise in both artistic and organizational matters.