Bulgarian Folk Music Instruments, Singing and Dance
Classic Instruments, Singing, Conducting, Composition
Miscellanious Workshops
Folk Singing, Folk Choir
Mag. Maria Leshkova, Bulgarian State Music Academy
Mag. Maria Leshkova graduated Bulgarian State Music Academy in Plovdiv. She was soloist and conductor in "Philip Koutev" National Folklore Ensemble. Now is she soloist of the world famose bulgerian choir "Mystery of the Bulgarian voices".
Since 1988 she works as teacher in Bulgarian folklore singing in Falun Folkmuzik Festival, Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, "Sedyanka" and "Usmifka"choirs – Danmark, also "Petrunka" choir in Melbourne, "Martenitza" choir in Sidney, Australian group Gorani, Tenores Di Bitti – Italy, Womens choir for Bulgarian music in Stokholm.
Solo Folk Singing
Mag. Sonja Georgieva, Academy for Music, Dance and Fine Arts
Mag. Sonja Georgieva was born in 1986. She graduated in 2009 the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine arts, Plovdiv as: "Teacher of Bulgarian folk singing" and "Conducting of Bulgarian folk ensembles- choirs and orchestras". From January to June 2009 she was an Erasmus student in "Sibelius Academy", Helsinki where she studied Finnish folk music and singing. As a young specialist she tries to find her own way to teach and cultivate in the students love for Bulgarian folk music.
Gaida
Georgi Kichukov
Georgi Kichukov graduated National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka luka and Academy for Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv. He performed with many folk ensemble and now he is Director of the Rhodope Folklore State Ensemble in Smolyan.
Gadulka
Mag. Todor Bakoev, Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts
Mag. Todor Bakoev was born in 1982. He began studying the instrument gadulka since his childhood. He graduated The National School of Folk Arts "Filip Koutev", Kotel and the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts, Plovdiv. He plays with many instrumental groups and travels a lot around the country and abroad. He has an experience as a teacher and participator in the International Summer Academy in the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts, Plovdiv. Currently, he is freelance musician and has interest to involve in various forums and concerts.
Folk dance
Toma Karapaunov, Rhodope Folklore State Ensemble, Smolyan
Toma Karapaunov is a graduate of the National High School in Dance Arts in Sofia, Bulgarian Folklore Dances. He continued his education in the Academy for Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv and graduated in Choreographic Directing and Pedagogy. He worked for the Trakia Folklore Ensemble in Plovdiv. Since 1986 he is a choreograph of the Rhodope Folklore State Ensemble.
Conducting, Composition
2th – 15th August
Prof. Vassil Kazandjiev / Bulgaria, State Academy of Music
Prof. Vassil Kazandjiev graduated in 1957 from the Bulgarian State Music Akademy in the composition class of Prof. P. Vladigerov and conducting with Prof. V.Simeonov. He started his career in conducting at the National Opera in Sofia. In 1962 he founded the Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble with which he had very successful concerts for 15 years. Since 1978 he was Chef Conductor of the Symphony orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio. He is also professor of Orchestral Conducting at the State Academy of Music. Vassil Kazandjiev is one of the most talented Bulgarian composers.
Piano
2th - 15th August
Prof. Albena Dimova / Bulgaria, Academy of Music, Plovdiv
Prof. Albena Dimova has graduated from the National Academy of Music in piano. Later she specialized with Prof. Fransoise Tinat at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris. She has realized numerous premieres of Bulgarian, French and Austrian works. She took part in many festivals. Ms. Dimova’s repertoire encompasses works of all styles and genres. She recorded for Bulgarian National Radio and TV; Balkanton; Radio Plovdiv. She toured Europe successfully. She is Associate Professor at the Plovdiv Academy of Music.
Prof. Galina Vracheva/Swisse
Prof. Galina Vracheva performs worldwide in concert halls, on radio and television, as soloist and together with renowned conductors and orchestras. She has been recorded by the ZDF, by the Bavarian Television, by Radio Swiss Classic and DRS2, BR Klassik, Radio Vatican and Dutch Radio Viertakt. Galina studied in Plovdiv, Moscow, Sofia and Munich, graduated with a diploma in piano and composition. She won 1st prizes in international competitions, taught piano and composition in Munich, Kiev and Berlin and has been giving master classes, inter alia at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and at the Haus Marteau in Bavaria. She is among a handful of pianists who master the art of classical improvisation. She has composed numerous piano works and two operas.
Flute
Mag. Yavor Zhelev, National Academy of Music
Mag. Yavor Zhelev has graduated from the National Academy of Music with Prof. G. Spassov. Master classes with A. Adorjan, A. Nicole, Galois. Since 2005 he is the first Flute at the Radio-Symphony Orchestra Sofia. He has played with the Sofia Philharmonic, New Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra of nations, a.o. Since 1996 he is Professor at the National Music School Sofia.
Solo Singing
9th – 15th August
Prof. Maki Miyano/ Japan
Prof. Maki Miyano, soprano, graduated Tokyo National University of the Fine Arts & Music. She stadied also at Milano and she was given guest performances at Italian TV and radio. Then she made her opera debut performing Nedda in “I Pagliacci”, costarring with Ardo Protti. Since then, she has performed Desdemona in “Othello” and Amelia in “Un Ballo in Maschera”, distinguishing herself in the “soprano lirico” category. Now she is coaching for younger generation at Showa University of Music. Some of her disciples have been developing their careers in Europe, USA and Japan ( National Tokyo Opera Theater).
Vocal Chamber Music
Dr. Maria Chervenlieva/ Bulgaria
Dr. Maria Chervenlieva has performed in virtually every European country. He made her US debut with Soprano J. Abernathy in 2005 and her Japan debut with Mezzosoprano K. Tomiyama in 2009. After graduating from the Bulgarian State Music Academy, she was appointed to the faculty of the Academy for Music and Dance in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and since 2001 is also a member of the International Music Academy faculty in Lilienfeld, Austria and Professor in Vienna. As preferred collaborator of numerous singers and instrumentalists, Dr. Chervenlieva has participated in many international music festivals and competitions. She has premiered numerous works from composers of all eras and genres, and recorded a number of times for Bulgarian National Television and Radio.
Aki Mizukami / Japan
Aki Mizukami was born in Kyoto. She graduated at Tokyo National University of the Fine Arts & Music. Then she stadied with Prof. Flores at the Vienna University where she received a Master’s Degree. She shows her creativity also to teach many children. Now she has own class at the Music school in Kyoto and performed as a piano accompanist in Japan, Austria and Germany.
Daniela Djorova - Waldhans /Czech Republic
Daniela Djorova-Waldhans studied with A. Byandova at the Music School Plovdiv. She has graduated from the Academiy of Music, Dans and Fine arts in Plovdiv. Master classes with János Starker. After studies she active as deputy violoncello concert master at Silesian Theatre Opava (Czech Republic). Member of Musica Opavia chamber Orchestra, cooperates with the orchestras of National Moravian-Silesian Theatre Ostrava and National Theatre Brno. She Has played in Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and Japan. Teaches violoncello to pupils and students of all age Categories, member of instrumental juries.
Kamen Stefanoff / Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt, Vienna
The course for all the beginners and the ambitious hobby- photographers that want to create better images. Some of the topics include basic camera work, landscape photography, portrait and people photography as well as digital retouch on PC. A professional photographer will lead you /in a group or privately/ as you discover the secrets that make the difference between the normal and a great picture. The participants are required to bring their own digital cameras.
Bulgarian Traditional Cuisine
Bulgarian traditional meals are an integral part of Bulgarian’s life and they have preserved well their cooking habits and recipes. Spices, herbs and the special way of cooking make the food one of the most delicious in Eastern Europe.
