Private Instrumental
Program
The AAS Private Instrumental Program (PIP) began in 2008. Our PIP instructors are all professional musicians, experienced teachers and proficient English speakers. Each is successful in their field and aware of the high standard of education expected by students at AAS. Upon request, teachers will also prepare appropriate students for internationally recognised exams and assessments, such as
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
If you have any questions, particularly in relation to availability, fees or assessments offered, please do not hesitate to contact any of the tutors listed below:
Instrument Tutors
Miglena Hristova
Piano
Miglena has started playing the piano at the age of 5. She gained her Masters degree in Preschool Pedagogy in 2017 at Sofia University. Miglena was trained in the ORFF Schulwerk method 2016, 17, 19 and in Bel-Canto vocal exercises and breathing techniques. Some of her ddditionally trainings include piano (in 2014, 2019) and Chord arrangements and improvisations. Since 2015 Miglena has been leading children’s music groups and teaching piano through play to little beginners.
Contact
E: hristovamaggie@gmail.com
P: 0888 355 115
Tsvetelina Beleva
Flute
Tsvetelina Beleva was born in Plovdiv in 1981. She began to study piano and acting at the musical theatre at the age of seven. At the age of nine she started playing the flute which became her major instrument. Tsvetelina finished her master’s degree in flute performance in 2009 at the State Music Academy “Pancho Vladiguerov” in the class of prof. George Spassov.
Tsvetelina is currently the principal flutist at the Symphonietta Sofia Oschestra and piccolo flutist at the Classic FM Radio Orchestra.
Contact
E: tsvetelinabeleva@gmail.com
P: 0898 484 575
Emil Tasev
Drums
Emil graduated from the National Musical Academy in 2000. He plays and teaches styles varying from traditional jazz to fusion to latin to rock. He has toured Europe extensively with a number of bands playing jazz festivals such as “Montreux” and, very often, the locally renowned “Bansko Jazz Festival.”
He has taught drums at AAS for 5 years to a wide variety of students. Every year the majority of his students participate in the school’s recital evening and other showcase events.
Contact
E: emotasev@yahoo.com
P: 0887 203 603
Neli Harper
Guitar
Neli is an international Guitarist based in Sofia. In 2016 she completed her Diploma and Degree in guitar at ICMP, London. She has been seen playing all over Europe in many musical styles, playing at sold out venues (The Ruby Lounge, Manchester) and prestige events (The House of Lords, London).
Apart from teaching, Neli can be found crafting new and exciting shows and working alongside her husband performing at events.
Contact
E: neli@nelimusic.com
P: 0883 300 493
Ivan Kerekovsky
Piano
Starting to play the piano from an early age, Ivan Kerekovsky finished his music education at Sofia National Music School (2010) and later his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Brussels Koninklijk Conservatorium (2010-2015) in the piano class of prof. Boyan Vodenitcharov.
Playing at numerous concerts and festivals in Europe, Ivan has been teaching piano students from all levels since 2012.
Contact
E: kerekovsky@gmail.com
P: 0888 022 488
Angela Tosheva
Piano
Angela Tosheva, PhD is among the most notable Bulgarian pianists of her generation. Tracing her own, unique way as a freelance pianist, her career has led her to win several international competitions (Usti nad Labem, Casagrande) perform numerous concerts in Europe, North and Latin America, record ten albums, teach at the Bulgarian State Conservatory, lead numerous piano masterclasses in Sofia and to play with leading conductors and orchestras.
Along with Michail Goleminov she founded the music house, “Orange factory,” an independent cultural hub in Bulgaria, organising festivals, events and publishing books on music. Angela has been teaching private piano lessons since 2000.
Contact
E: angela@angelatosheva.com
P: 0887 415 539
Tsanka Filipova
Violin
Tsanka Filipova was born in Kardzhali in a family of musicians and started playing violin aged 5. She studied at Secondary Music School in Plovdiv, graduating with honours, before completing her Masters at the National Academy of Music, Sofia.
From 1991-95 she was a member of The Simphony Orchestra of Bulgarian National Radio and since 1996 she has been assistant first violinist with the Academy Simphony Orchestra and a member of AGBU Chamber Orchestra, Sofia. Tsanka has been teaching violin since 1998, working with students of various ages and nationalities.
Contact
E: tzankapersonal@gmail.com
P: 0896 820 468
Dora Dimitrova
Violin
A fourth generation professional musician, Bulgarian-American violinist, Dora Dimitrova lives a multi-faceted career as a concertmaster, soloist, chamber musician and music educator. Dimitrova has worked with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (NJ), Symphony in C (NJ), International Mahler Orchestra (Berlin), RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra (Ljubljana), New York Symphonic Ensemble (NY), among others. In 2018 Dora joined the Hello Dolly! Broadway Musical at the Schuber Theatre in New York City. In October 2019 she became Assistant Violin Professor at New Bulgarian University, Sofia.
Currently, Dimitrova is the Concertmaster of New Symphony Orchestra, Sofia and works regularly with Sofia Session Orchestra and Choir. Dora holds Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. Dora has been teaching privately since 2012.
Contact
E: doradimitrova.violin@gmail.com
P: 0879 399 070
Renton Harper
Guitar
Renton Harper is a guitarist and guitar teacher based in Sofia. He graduated from ICMP in London in 2016 and has since played shows across Europe in a wide variety of musical contexts, such as original bands, tribute acts, and functions events. In 2016 he released his first EP titled ‘5’ and has since been working as a session musician and songwriter. Renton has an in-depth knowledge of guitar sound and equipment through his expertise at “GuitarGuitar” in London.
Nowadays Renton can be found teaching guitar and creating brand new shows to be performed at events with his colleagues.
Contact
E: rentonharper@gmail.com
P: 0882 856 717
Scheduling
Private lessons are usually held weekly for 30 to 50 minutes at the suggestion of the instructor with the agreement of the parent and student. You are welcome to contact an instructor and schedule a lesson. For lessons to take place at AAS, the teacher will also need to contact the school to confirm room/instrument availability. Lessons are not usually held when school is not in session.
Lesson Fees
Lesson fees (length, location, frequency, period, method of payment) are negotiated between parent and instructor. We suggest you use AAS trimester dates and holidays to guide your planning. For the use of school practice rooms, the instructor will also pay a facility fee in accordance with the AAS School Facilities Procedures.
Lessons on Campus
Lessons are generally held at the school from 3:40pm (3:10 on Wednesdays). Subsequent time slots are then available on the understanding that most classes finish by 5:25 so that students may catch the late bus service if required.
Cancellation Policy
At least 24 hours notice of cancellation is expected, except in cases of emergency. We recommend you establish clear expectations from both sides with your instructor.
Child Protection
All instructors have provided background checks, have agreed to comply with the AAS Code of Professional Conduct and have undergone the school’s basic training in Child Protection.
Important to Note
Private Instrument tuition is a private agreement between instructor and parents. The school promotes the programme through its list of approved instructors and can also provide facilities/instruments as outlined above. The school does not involve itself in contractual arrangements between instructor and families.
