Krаstin Nastev is conductor of the Varna Opera and lecturer in choral conducting at the Music Academy in Albacete, Spain. He has worked as conductor of the Philharmonic Choir of Madrid, conductor of opera choirs in Antalya, Plovdiv, Teatro del Serclé in Barcelona. Guest conductor of the Ankara Radio Choir and orchestras of Bursa, Eskisehir, Antalya, Pleven, Plovdiv. He has conducted the Sofia Opera, the Sofia Philharmonic, the National Philharmonic Choir and the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra. He won the special prize at the Europa Cantat conducting competition in St. Petersburg. He has adjudicated at the Hong Kong International Choral Festival, the St. Petersburg International Choral Festival and the International Choral Festival in Paralia, Greece. Doctor of Musical Sciences (2023).
Sergei Pavlov is Associate Professor at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin (USA) and Artistic Director of the Madison Festival Chorus. His previous positions include Principal Conductor of the Chorus of the Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito, Ecuador; Chorus Master at the Théâtre Châtelet in Paris, France; Assistant Conductor of the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina; and Conductor at the University of Illinois Opera Theater (USA).
Graduated from the “Lyubomir Pipkov” National School of Music in Sofia with a degree in piano and the National Academy of Music "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov Academy of Music in Sofia with master degree in "Sound engineering” and "Choral Conducting".
Zornitsa Getova is a long-time choirmaster and pianist of the Sofia Boys Choir, with which she has performed in Japan, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Greece, etc. She participates in recordings for the Bulgarian National Radio and pianist-in-residence in master classes in vocal performance and conducting.
Ms. Gavrailova honed her musical skills at the Academy of Music in Plovdiv, studying under eminent mentors such as Prof. Ivan Spassov (conducting), Vassilka Spassova (conducting), and Prof. Georgi Petrov (piano). Dessi debuted her career as a leader of two well established choirs in the Bulgarian city of Haskovo: “Rodna Pesen” and “Collegium Musicum”. Under her guidance, “Collegium Musicum” achieved international critical acclaim, securing the second prize at the Varna International Choir Competition. Her passion for choral music extended to founding the “Pizzicati Haskovo Children’s Choir” and a school-based choir program.
Further work and international opportunities brought Dessi to China where she was mentor and supervisor for Music College and choir consultant for various choirs.
Pursuing her quest for excellence and cross-cultural curiosity, Ms. Gavrailova completed her “Diplôme Supérieur” at the University François Rabelais in France. Her professional focus shifted toward the intricacies of French diction and vocal coaching.
Since 2002, Dessi has called Canada home. She has significantly impacted academia as an instructor, vocal coach, and pianist in residence for the Campus Saint Jean Choir at the University of Alberta.
Under her leadership and tutelage, countless students, soloists, and choirs have honed their skills in singing, collaborative piano, and diction. As a sought-after vocal coach and accompanist, Dessi continues to nurture and inspire emerging young artists in her private music studio.
