History
About Art Academy
The Master Classes have been held since 2004
2022
The program of the Summer Academy of Arts in 2022 included 6 /six/ masterclasses and many different cultural events in the accompanying program.
For the first year, we held an animation art workshop with students from 5th to 7th grade led by Diana Tsenova. The participants produced a 3-minute paper cut animation film, which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSlhl7RtiPI
The most significant and interesting event from the ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM of the Summer Academy of Arts was the FESTIVAL ON THE OCCASION OF THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMPOSER LAZAR NIKOLOV, which was held in the city of Burgas. The festival was financially supported by the Program for co-financing cultural projects of the Municipality of Burgas.
In total, in the 6 masterclasses, we had 68 participants from four different countries – Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey, and Bulgaria.
The masterclasses were held in the cities of Burgas and Sozopol.
2021
One of the highlights of the program of the masterclasses in the Academy was that Prof. Julian Rachlin held his first masterclass in Bulgaria, within the last year’s edition of the Academy.
For the first time in Bulgaria, a student competition was organized, for the best performance of a violin, viola, cello, and piano piece, composed by the brilliant Dobrinka Tabakova. The award was a participation in a recital with the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in the Haus of Wittgenstein.
For the first time, the best participants from all music classes had the opportunity to be soloists of State Opera Bourgas’ orchestra on the 11th of July, in the Open Air Theatre in the city.
The most significant and engrossing event of the accompanying program of the Summer Academy of Arts was the CHAMBER CONCERT of the pedagogues – JULIAN RACHLIN – violin, SARA McELVEY – violin, ALEXANDER ZEMTSOV – viola, PETER SHOMODARI – cello, DENITSA LAFCHIEVA – clarinet, and SERGEY REDKIN – piano.
For the first time within the Academy, there was a clarinet masterclass, led by Assoc. Prof. Borislav Yotsov (clarinet), and Prof. Denitsa Lafchieva, who is currently a teacher in the Academy of Brescia – Italy, and student of Prof. P. Radev.
In total, in the nine masterclasses, we had 82 participants from 8 different countries – Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Germany, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Romania.
2020
One of the world’s biggest figures – Pavel Vernikov – violin, Alexander Zemtsov – viola, Alexander Chaushian – violoncello, and Rinat Ibragimov – double bass, had masterclasses for the first time in Bulgaria, invited by the XVth edition of the Summer Art Academy of Arts
The focus of the program in 2020 was the online classes. Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the Summer Academy of Arts decided to conduct its first online edition because it was still unknown when the flight companies would resume their flights and when all countries would open their borders to foreigners.
The flute masterclass with Prof. Georgi Spassov, the violoncello masterclass with Prof. Anatoli Krastev, Asst. Dr. Atanas Krastev, Prof. Dr. Kalina Krasteva, and the creative writing classes with Vyara Nikolova took place in person, in Sozopol.
2019
One of the world’s biggest clarinetists – Paul Meyer, came for the first time in Bulgaria and held his masterclass on account of the invitation by the XIVth edition of the International Summer Academy of Arts.
Highlights of the program of the Summer Academy of Arts in 2019:
The flute masterclass with Prof. Georgi Spassov, the violoncello class with Prof. Anatoli Krastev, Asst. Dr. Atanas Krastev and Prof. Dr. Kalina Krasteva, who came exclusively from Australia, where she lives and teaches, and Margarita Kalcheva, who is an amazing double bass instrumentalist. Within the Academy, the creative writing masterclass led by Vyara Nikolova becomes more and more popular over the years. All the credits for this go to the pedagogue – Vyara Nikolova, who truly is a remarkable teacher, completely dedicated to young people and their constant creative growth over the years.
2018
The main program of the International Summer Art Academy of Arts in 2018 included seven masterclasses in three different genres – music, literature, and fine arts with great teachers and instrumentalists. The masterclasses were:
Clarinet masterclass with three world-known figures, both as artists and teachers. For the first time in Bulgaria, Andrew Marriner, who is a solo clarinetist in London Symphony Orchestra, Prof. Peter Schmidl, who is a solo clarinetist in Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and Prof. Denitsa Lafchieva, who is a clarinet teacher in Richard Wagner Conservatory in Vienna had masterclasses on our territory.
The most anticipated event in the accompanying program was the concert in memory of Prof. Petko Radev, with Andrew Marriner, Prof. Peter Schmidl, Prof. Georgi Spasov (solo flutist of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra), and the students of Prof. Petko Radev: Prof. Denitsa Lafchieva and Marian Bozhidarov (student in Guildhall School of Music & Drama – London and a participant in the clarinet masterclass of the International Summer Academy of Arts for seven years.) The concert, which became an unforgettable event, was held on 3th of September 2018, in the hall of the District Administration – Burgas.
A very interesting event for the locals and the guests of the town of Sozopol was the literary reading of the newly published works of Anna Buxton, who is the author of documentary history books, based on the Bulgarian Middle Ages.
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM
2017
In 2017, from the 1st of July to the 8th of August, 10 masterclasses were held, including a new one – creative writing with the amazing teacher – Vyara Nikolova, who has founded a school for Creative Writing and Thinking as a project for extracurricular activities for students. Each of the classes had its global topic, connected with the relations between people and universal values (friendship, love, faith, happiness, hope, dreams, perseverance, resourcefulness, wisdom, the meaning of life, and many others) presented in various ways.
For the first time, within the Academy, a piano masterclass with Maria Prinz was held in Vienna, Austria from 17th to 23rd of July.
The topic of the acting masterclass was “Psychophysical training on the drama of Harold Pinter”, and the topic of the fine arts masterclass was “Tradition in the future”.
We had also prepared a rich accompanying program of three classical concerts, one photo exhibition/competition, and a presentation of the premiers of two book premiers.
2016
We held nine masterclasses in three different genres – music, theatre, and fine arts and invited three new pedagogues – Prof. Kevork Mardirossian – violin, acting – Kasiel Noa Asher, and fine arts – Julian Messa. The number of participants was 93, from nine different countries – Germany, Brazil, the USA, Spain, Poland, North Macedonia, Turkey, and Bulgaria.
The topic of the acting masterclass was the “Bermuda Game Triangle – Evripid, Shakespeare, and Tennessee Williams”. With the final performance of the acting masterclass, we joined the 400th anniversary of the death of the colossus in literature – William Shakespeare.
In the accompanying program, the team of the Academy organized two events – A piano concert of Antonina Boneva and Radka Chomakova, as well as a jubilee exhibition “Brushes on the sand” of Julian Messa, Stoyan Filipov – FIL, and Rayna Yotova – REIN.
We seek for the next, twelfth edition of the Summer Academy of Arts – 2017.
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM
2015
The 10th jubilee edition of the Summer Academy of Arts was conducted during the period between the 13th and 31st of July, 2015. Our educational platform brought participants from 12 different countries like South Korea, Panama, Brazil, Japan, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Austria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey, and Bulgaria. Fourteen masterclasses, in four different fields of art (music, fine arts, acting, and magical art) were held, with 132 participants.
In 2015, we organized a new genre masterclass – Magical art with the teacher – Astor and a new music class – double bass with the pedagogue – Margarita Kalcheva, but the new things don’t stop here.
For the first time in Bulgaria, an educational opera production of the opera “The Swallow” by J. Puccini with the opera singing masterclass of Darina Takova and the masterclass of visual art with Chavdar Gyuzelev. The director of the play was Yavor Gurdev, the visual effects were done by Vladislav Iliev, the sound system was assured by Kalin Nikolov, and the costumes were made by Maria Diomova.
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM
For this performance, the Summer Academy of Arts was nominated by BNR for Musical Project of the Year.
The official program of the Academy included a jubilee chamber symphonic concert, which was financially supported by the session for cultural projects of the Municipality of Burgas, entitled “Together again even after ten years”, with the participation of Zenska Orkiestra Salonowa KHW from Katowice – Poland, with the conductor Zhengzhou Mezvinski and presenting seven of the most prominent participants in the Summer Academy of Arts throughout the years. Musicians and singers from Sofia, Varna, Ruse, Plovdiv, and 3 young musicians from the National School for Musical and Performing Arts in Burgas, and First Chamber Festival “Friends of Summer Academy of Arts” with four concerts, financially supported by the Ministry of Culture.
2014
The ninth edition of the Summer Academy of Arts was held during the period between the 13th of July and the 3rd of August, 2014.
According to our style, this edition of the Academy had some new aspects – 2 new classes. Folk Singing with Binka Dobreva, who is a soloist of the “Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices” choir and also, chamber music masterclass with the pedagogue – Prof. Angel Stankov.
The participation of the Austrian actor and director – Shtefan Fleming, in the acting workshop was our foreign involvement. He also made his first masterclass in Bulgaria, within the Academy.
2013
For the eighth time, from 15th to 30th of July 2013, music, beauty, creative meetings, friends and the special atmosphere will meet each other in Sozopol, within the Summer Academy of Arts. Our innermost mission is to preserve and develop the Academy over the years.
That’s why, in 2013, there were three new masterclasses for violin, with Vesko Eschkenazy, soloist of Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, pop and jazz singing with Ylduz Ibrahimova, and harp with Suzana Klincharova.
Flute – Prof. Georgi Spassov – Artistic Director of the Summer Academy of Arts
Clarinet – Prof. Petko Radev
Waldhorn – Prof. Vladislav Grigorov
Violin – Vesko Eschkenazy
Violoncello – Prof. Anatoli Krastev
Piano and Accompaniment – Maria Prinz
Opera Singing – Stefka Evstatieva
Pop and Jazz Singing – Ylduz Ibrahimova
Harp – Suzana Klincharova
Fine Arts – Prof. Svetozar Benchev
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM
We aim to preserve and develop the Academy over time, which will boost all young talents on their way to great art. And that is exactly why the Summer Academy of Arts invites established artists and educators to “touch” the young talents with their professionalism and charisma. Again, this year, we had international participants from Austria, Turkey, Brazil, Serbia, and others.
Since 2013, we have been organizing and conducting an ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM so that young artists can touch the creative mastery of their idols.
The first event of the accompanying program of the Academy was the Jubilee Chamber Concert on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the unique performer, teacher of generations of musicians, and a founder of the Academy – Prof. Petko Radev, clarinet. Participants in the concert were his prominent students, performing outside Bulgaria, as well as the great artists:
Denitsa Laffchieva – clarinet – Great Britain; 2. Vanguel Tangarov – clarinet – USA; 3. Marian Bozhidarov – student
And the solo performers:
Andrew Marriner – principal clarinet of London Symphony Orchestra;
Philippe Cuper – principal clarinet of Paris National Opera;
Maria Prinz – piano – Austria;
Georgi Spassov – solo clarinetist of Sofia Philharmonic and Art Director of the Summer Academy of Arts.
2012
Once again, from 13th to 25th of July 2012, the Summer Academy of Arts was organized in the town of Sozopol. This year we included an opera-singing masterclass with the great prima – Stefka Evstatieva and a new masterclass – fine arts, with Prof. Svetozar Benchev.
Here is our “constellation” of teachers:
Flute – Prof. Georgi Spassov – Artistic Director of the Summer Academy of Arts
Clarinet – Prof. Petko Radev
Waldhorn – Prof. Vladislav Grigorov
Violoncello – Prof. Anatoli Krastev
Piano and Accompaniment – Maria Prinz
Opera Singing – Stefka Evstatieva
Fine Arts – Prof. Svetozar Benchev
2010
Our team believed in their strength and in 2010th, the next edition of the Summer Academy of Arts was conducted. Despite the new music masterclasses, we included a new class – acting, led by the assistant Svetoslav Dobrev.
Here are our prominent teachers:
Flute – Prof. Georgi Spassov – Artistic Director of the Summer Academy of Arts
Clarinet – Prof. Petko Radev
Waldhorn – Prof. Vladislav Grigorov
Violoncello – Prof. Anatoli Krastev
Piano and Accompaniment – Maria Prinz
2009
During the period from 16th to 21st of July, 2001, the masterclasses become more popular and resulted in their increase in number. The first pilot clarinet masterclass was led by the great clarinetist – Prof. Petko Radev, who was a teacher in the National Academy of Music – “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia and in the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts – Plovdiv. The other one was the flute masterclass, led by Prof. Georgi Spassov, who is one of the most prominent contemporary Bulgarian instrumentalists and pedagogues and lectures at the National Academy of Music – Sofia. The last one was the pilot piano masterclass with Maria Prinz, who is a teacher at the University of Music and Performing Arts and is the daughter of the great Bulgarian composer and conductor – Konstantin Iliev. Forty participants came to take part in the masterclasses.
During the editions of the Academy in 2005, 2006, and 2007, our mission was to turn this cultural-educational forum, into a valuable cultural and artistic event, both for participants and the audience and critique, which could appreciate the talent of the young generation.
In 2006, we conducted 2 pilot masterclasses of piano, with Prof. Rostislav Yovchev (who is a teacher in the National Academy of Music – “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia) and of piano accompaniment of strings, brass, and percussion instruments with Helene Luyten from Belgium, who is a teacher in the Royal Conservatory in Brussels.
We hope that in the future, we will attract both media attention and many connoisseurs of art and music.
2004
The beginning of the Summer Academy of Arts starts from 16th to 21th of July 2004, with the flute masterclass led by Prof. Georgi Spassov, who is a teacher in the Sofia Music School and national Academy of Music – “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia. Twelve participants from all over the country and one foreigner from France came to the masterclass.
The final concert and the awarding of diplomas to the successful graduates of the class were held in the hall of the City Art Gallery in Sozopol, where all masterclasses had been concluded so far.
