• 1966 – 1972

    Primary Arts School in Žilina (piano - Mária Lehotská)

  • 1972 – 1977

    Žilina Conservatory (piano - Anton Kállay)

  • 1977 – 1982

    P. I. Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow (piano - Stanislav Neygauz, Viera Gornostayeva and Yelena Richter)

  • 1982 – 1983

    recipient of a scholarship from the Slovak Music Fund (piano - Miloslav Starosta)

  • 1983 - 1997

    soloist of the Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina

  • since 1989

    piano lecturer at the Faculty of Music and Dance, Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava

"Ivan Gajan’s art is characterised by a delicate measure of agogics, a sense of the poetic proporton of the pieces performed, unpretentiousness, effortlessness, and elegant performance. Even in the early years of his artistic career, critics valued his personal contribution and evocative performing style. Apart from appearing as a soloist, Gajan also plays in chamber ensembles. Thanks to his personality and artistic qualities, he has become a favourite chamber partner for a number of Slovak and foreign musicians." (Vladimír Čížik: Dictionary of Slovak Concert Art vol. I)

x