Jurij Hladnik graduated in 1996 at the Music Academy in Ljubljana in the class of Prof Alojz Zupan and under his mentorship he also finished his Master's degree in 1999. While studying he took part in various competitions for young musicians, where he won several first prizes.

In 1998 he worked as a bass clarinettist in the Opera House Ljubljana Orchestra and since 1999 he is a solo clarinettist in the Radio Symphony Orchestra. He also performs as a soloist and a chamber musician.