"The Varna Conductor’s Workshop provided a first-rate experience for myself and my students are we traveled across eastern Europe, including a incredible experience on the Black Sea in Bulgaria. I happily endorse Sharon and Kalin Tchonev and their excellent and caring tour organization that provided an inside connection to Europe including great concerts and wonderful cultural experiences."

- Steven Zielke, Director of Choral Studies,
Oregon State University

"A visit to Bulgaria is a must for choral directors who aspire to learn as much world literature as possible. Even better than the music, though, is getting to know the Bulgarian people, their culture, and their fantastic cuisine. Musical instruction received in rehearsals is outstanding, and the opportunities to conduct in concert allow allow conductors the opportunity to put practice into reality. The Tchonevs do everything to insure that guest conductors are receiving the best instruction and hospitality they have to offer. I am already planning a return trip, and want to take my singers with me to experience this delightful workshop."

- Dr. Bonnie Borshay Sneed, Director of Choral Activities, Associate Professor of Music,
Denison University, Granville, OH

"My experience in Bulgaria transcended all my expectations. Unlike other more competitive workshops, the Varna International Conducting program cultivates a supportive collaborative environment. As an emerging female conductor, I had the opportunity to work with some extremely talented and inspirational musicians who remain my mentors and dearest friends. With a full orchestra and chorus at the tip of my baton, the experience brought my passion to a whole new level. Words cannot begin to describe how impactful this experience was for me musically and personally."

- Arianne Abela, class of 2008,
Smith College, MA

"I have attended both the winter and summer workshops of the Varna International Conductors' Workshop. The winter orchestral workshop gave me a unique opportunity, seldom available in the United States: the opportunity to work with a wonderful chamber orchestra on a variety of literature, to have significant podium time on all pieces, and really refine my conducting under the tutelege of a great conductor and teacher, Dian Tchobanov. The winter choral workshop was an equally wonderful opportunity to grow as a conductor while learning wonderful Bulgarian and Russian choral repertoire unfamiliar to me, working with the great teacher Professor Marin Chonev and Morski Zvutsi Choir. The summer choral-orchestral workshop provided the most unique opportunity, over a week to get to rehearse a well-prepared chorus and orchestra on all parts of a major choral-orchestral work while being critiqued and taught by an extremely knowledgeable and talented faculty (Maestros Wyatt, Tchobanov, and Tchonev). The faculty give each conductor equal attention and podium time and help each conductor take his or her conducting to the next level. Varna is a lovely city in a wonderful country with excellent musicians, which provides a great setting fot such a wonderful workshop."

-Matthew Caine, Director of Music,
Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church, Lutz, Florida.

"The Varna International Conductors Workshops have been wonderful experiences for me. Professors Tchonev, Wyatt, and Tchobanov were not only outstanding teachers, they also tailored their instruction to whatever level of experience each conductor brought to the podium. The score study sessions were extremely beneficial, opening new vistas into each work, and the extensive amount of podium time afforded each conductor allowed us to put in practice that which we learned. Both the orchestra and the choir were well-prepared so that we were free to work on musical nuance while refining our gestural technique. Finally, warmth and hospitality of the Bulgarian people and the rich historical significance found in the buildings and history of Bulgaria make this an unforgettable experience. I, for one, will go back!"

- Raymond Sprague, DMA, Director of Choral Activities,
Davidson College.

Thank you for your great work in arranging the Concert Choir tour to Italy and Bulgaria. You did a wonderful job. I know that it was not an easy task to arrange so many details for us. However, I have traveled to Europe with a number of tour companies, many of which have multiple staff and a great deal of experience with tour groups. Your arrangements were equal to the best in the business.'

- Dr. Larry Wyatt, Director of Choral Activities,
University of South Carolina.

'Never before have I felt such heartfelt love of music than during the week of rehearsals during the Varna Choral-Orchestral Conducting Workshop. The focus on musical interpretation and technique was of value not only to the participating conductors, but to the singers as well. I look forward to future opportunities as do my singers.'

- Dr. Douglas Renfroe, Director of Choral Activities,
Edison College, Fort Myers, FL.

'The Bulgarian Choir, Morski Zvutsi, made us feel completely welcome, and the singers were so willing to be patient as we learned new conducting techniques to expand our baton vocabularies. The conducting staff of Maestros Chonev, Kolarov, and Wyatt was equally adept at working with conductors at various stages of development, and the conductors taking the workshop were all supportive of each otherís efforts. I canít imagine a better way to develop professionally and musically and to visit a beautiful and intriguing country. Plus the American singers who came along in my group were equally thrilled to have a marvelous singing as well as travel opportunity and holiday! '

- Dr. Kathryn Bowers, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities,
Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri.

'As a choral conductor who attended as an auditor, bringing choristers from my parish choir, the workshop both met and exceeded expectations. The geographical area, historical and beautiful; the people warm and friendly; the organizers and guides accessible and helpful; the Bulgarian choral, vocal and instrumental musicians inspirational, and the professors, who instructed the conducting participants, exemplary of the serious music culture of the area and eager to share pedagogically with all involved.'

- English G. Morris, Jr., Director of Music,
St. Martinís Episcopal Church, Columbia, South Carolina.

'A great trip! Wonderful people, a rich culture, a beautiful country, delightful food and wine, an education on language and economy. The musical experience was an exceptional learning opportunity to become familiar with a great work in depth, from both singing and conducting (being conducted). Lots of work, lots of fun and lots of value in bringing back some of the choral traditions of Bulgaria. It was a privilege to be able to participate.'

- Tina Clark,
Columbia, South Carolina.

'Wow, what a week! The workshop far exceeded my expectation. The friendships and the exchange of ideas and passions with dedicated musicians from across the world and the U.S. was an unparalleled experience. Making and perfecting music of the great masters is truly a unifying and uplifting force.'

- Mary Ellen Jordan, Retired Music Instructor,
Camden, South Carolina.

'I am glad to have been a part of the Conductors Workshop. It was a beneficial experience to have the time to study, rehearse, and to present such a monumental work as the Verdi Requiem. The professional level of the orchestra, choir, and soloists was impressive and added an additional dimension to the workshop. I knew that the workshop would be helpful to me as a conductor. However, my expectation was greatly exceeded by the experience of the week. I will convey to my colleagues in America the outstanding musical work that is being done in your city. Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to be with you for the workshop. I hope that I will have the opportunity to return.'

- Prof. James Moore, Director of Choral Studies,
East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, Texas.

'The Varna Conductor's Workshop was a great opportunity to work with a well-prepared orchestra and chorus, for both the conductors and the American singers who augmented the chorus. One aspect of the workshop that I liked very much is that the conductors got to try many sections of the Verdi Requiem before actual "performance assignments" were made. This made it imperative that we learn the entire work, and as a result I feel I am well-prepared to conduct the Verdi with my own choir next year. The atmosphere among the conductors and clinicians at the workshop was supportive and delightfully free of favoritism. Everyone received equal attention, whether they were beginners or advanced, and thus all the conductors improved their skills over the week of the workshop. I was very pleased with the friendliness of the Bulgarian people. It was also a comfort that the Golden Sands Resort Area was both beautiful and safe, with many interesting restaurants and shops to keep us busy outside of rehearsal times.'

- Dr. Benjamin Locke, Director of Choral Studies,
Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio.