Education:
National Music School “Dobrin Petkov”, Bulgaria
Performance Diploma - Idyllwild Arts Academy, California
Bachelor of Music and Artist Diploma - Oberlin College Conservatory of Music
Doctorate of Musical Arts – University of Kentucky
Notable Teachers:
Alexander Spirov, Todor Pelev, Michael Tseitlin, Oleh Krysa, Taras Gabora
Awards and Distinctions:
Prize winner – Kocian Intrnational Violin Competition (Czech Republic)
Silver Medalist at the California International Young Artist Competition
Grand Prize winner of International Institute of Music (Germany, USA) – under the patronage of Lord Yehudi Menuhin
First Prize at the American String Teacher’s Association Chamber Music Competition
Artist of the Month at the Obama for Arts and Entertainment Organization, April ‘09
Notable Performances:
Carnegie Hall – New York; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion – Los Angeles; Severance Hall – Cleveland;
Dvorak Hall at the Rudolfinum – Prague; Casa Verdi – Milan; Palau de la Musica – Barcelona
Concertmaster: The Cleveland Opera, Ensemble de Monde (New York)
Chamber groups: Casamaggiore Trio, Niles String Quartet, New York Empire Trio, New Amici Trio
Notable Teaching Experience:
Violin Instructor - Firelands School for the Performing Arts
Violin Instructor – Western Reserve Academy
Assistant Professor – Kent State University
Professor of Violin and Conductor of Orchestras – Youngstown State University
Artist Teacher at Fordham University, New York City
Founder and Director of Bellissima Music Academy, Wellington, Florida
Summers School Teaching:
Assistant to Prof. Taras Gabora – Oberlin in Casalmaggiore
International Festival for Strings and More in Sandusky, Ohio
Positano Chamber Music Festival – Italy
Summit Music Festival – New York
Interharmony International Music Festival – Italy, Germany
Student Success:
Former students have gone on to study major music schools nationally and internationally and have become professional musicians in schools, ensembles, and orchestras worldwide. Dr. Popov’s students regularly participate in contests and festivals
More information: Hristo Popov