Ivan Varimezov, Director
Tzvetanka Varimezova, Director
Thе concert includes performance of the Balkan Ensemble of UCLA. The focus of the Balkan Ensemble is on Bulgarian traditional music in two forms: a “wedding orchestra” of modern instruments and a women’s choir that sings modern arrangements of traditional songs. Ivan and Tzvetanka are popularizing the Balkan Ensemble throughout California and outside the United States. In 2005, Tzvetanka and Ivan arranged a tour for the Ensemble in Bulgaria and took part in the International Folklore Festival in the town of Bourgas, performing for over 5,000 people. In the same year, the Balkan Ensemble produced a new CD under the direction of Tzvetanka and Ivan. In 2006, the UCLA choir, “Superdevoiche” performed at the Kodak Theatre for the very first time. The choir was incredible and was proud to perform in front of a full audience. The Balkan Ensemble has also traveled within California, performing in the Bulgarian Cultural Centers in San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2007. Ivan and Tzvetanka Varimezovi teach the Balkan Ensemble music, rhythms, and songs from different regions in Bulgaria.
Faculty Biographies:
Tzvetanka Varimezova was born in Bulgaria and received B.A. degree in choral conducting and folk instrument pedagogy from the Academy of Music and Dance in Plovdiv. During the 1980s she directed the choir of a regional professional ensemble of folk song and dance in the town of Pazardzhik. During the 1990s she was a soloist and assistant choral director of a number of professional women’s choirs in Sofia, including the Bulgarian National Ensemble of Folk Song and Dance, founded by Filip Koutev. In addition, she has worked and is still working with choirs from around the world, including Denmark, France, Greece, Japan and numerous choirs in the United States. She has many solo recordings to her name and is well-known for her brilliant, high-pitched tone quality and her interpretations of the highly ornamented songs from her native Pazardzhik region.
Ivan Varimezov was born in Bulgaria and received a B.A. degree in folk instrument performance and ensemble conducting from the Academy of Music and Dance in Plovdiv. Raised in the traditions of his native region Strandzha, hi is one of the most outstanding gaida (bagpipe) players of his generation, and he has many solo recordings and awards to his name. During the 1980s he was the director of the instrumental ensemble of a regional professional ensemble of folk song and dace in the town of Pazardzhik. During the 1990s he moved to Sofia to become the soloist with the Orchestra of Folk Instruments at Radio and Television Sofia, a position occupied for twenty-five years by his famous uncle, Kostadin Varimezov. Both Tzvetanka and Ivan Varimezovi moved to the United States in 2001 to teach Bulgarian folk music at UCLA.
