The workshop started in 2015 under the direction of the renowned Bulgarian choral conductor, Associate Professor Krikor Chetinyan and his alumnus and assistant Krastin Nastev. Together, they developed the idea for this intensive workshop for conductors, interested in refining their skills through exploration of new and rarely performed choral repertoire.
During the last nine editions (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024,2025) the conducting sessions were combined with specialized presentations on diverse topics: Jazz (led by Miroslav Turiyski), Bulgarian folklore (led by Michael Delchev), American spiritual with Madlen Bachvarova, Scandinavian music with Jakob Grubbström; Milka Toledova, Prof. Adriana Blagoeva and Darina Krosneva offered a fascinating lecture on the traditions of Boys choirs in Bulgaria, and other past sessions included lectures on Sacred Orthodox music with Prof. Miroslav Popsavov, Late Romantic Music with Frieder Bernius, English Renaissance Tradition with Nelly Matova and Spanish Renaissance Music with Severin Vassilev.
The participants have had the opportunity to conduct different vocal ensembles: Chamber choir "Ivan Spassov" (with music director Gergana Lyutzkanova), Cantores Amicitie (with music director Jakob Grubbström), and Chamber choir of the Technical University Berlin (with music director Donka Miteva).
Every year, all active participants conduct at the final concert of the masterclass which normally take place in the restored 4th century Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis.
The 2024 edition was under the leadership of Krastin Nastev and Sergei Pavlov, and with the special participation of renowned vocal coach Dessislava Gavrailova from Canada. Zornitsa Getova from the National Music Academy in Sofia was the pianist for the workshop. The masterclass is part of the summer activities of The National School of Music and Dance "Dobrin Petkov" in Plovdiv and cultural calender of Plovdiv Municipality.
In the latest edition of the workshop, Associate Professor Serdar Ilban from Lamar University Texas was invited to lead a master class in singing. Its success earned him an invitation to return this year.
Workshops languages - English, Spanish, and Bulgarian.
