Ana Knez began her trombone studies in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia, under the guidance of Professor Martin Šmon. In 2014, she enrolled at the Maribor Conservatory of Music and Ballet, continuing her trombone studies with Professor Mihael Švagan. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, studying with Professors Wolfgang Strasser and David Luidold. Currently, she is finishing her Master’s degree at Mozarteum Salzburg, under the instruction of Dany Bonvin. During her studies, Ana participated in numerous competitions, achieving remarkable results. In 2015, she won a gold plaque and first prize at the international competition „Woodwinds & Brass“ in Varaždin. In 2016, she earned 100 points, a gold plaque, first prize, and the award for the best performance at the Competition of Young Slovenian Musicians with the Slide Zone Trombone Quartet. She also won a gold plaque and first prize at the 2016 Varaždin „Woodwinds & Brass“ International Competition.
Ana continued her success in 2017, achieving the maximum score of 100 points, a gold plaque, first prize, and several special prizes at the Young Slovenian Musicians Competition. She also won first prize, a gold plaque, and the Laureate title (overall winner across all categories and instruments) at the 2017 Varaždin „Woodwinds & Brass“ International Competition.
In February 2019, she was the only brass player to receive a gold plaque in the Virtuoso 20-26 years category at the Vienna International Music Competition. In the same year, she won a gold plaque with distinction at the Manhattan International Music Competition. In 2020, she once again achieved 100 points, a gold plaque, first prize, and the award for the best performance of the obligatory piece at the Young Slovenian Musicians Competition.
Ana was honored with the Dr. Roman Klasinc Award in 2018, which is given to the best musicians of her high school educational institution. She has been a member of various ensembles and works as a substitute with several orchestras, including the Maribor National Theatre Orchestra, Ljubljana National Theatre Orchestra, Morphing Orchestra, Kontrapunkte Ensemble, the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra.
As a soloist, Ana has performed with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra (2018), was a finalist in the Slovenian selection for the Eurovision Young Musician competition (2018), and performed as a soloist with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra (2018) and the Orchestra of the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor (2022). In 2023, she won the audition for an academy position with the Salzburg Philharmonie, with whom she performed that year.
Ana currently works with Oper Graz as a member of the Grazer Philharmoniker.