MARTINA TABAKOVA
Short Biography
Early Life and Musical Journey
Martina Tabakova was born in Bulgaria into a large musical family with traditions in orchestral and choral art. At the age of 5, she began piano and ballet lessons. Her first recital at the age of 11 was followed by many musical competitions and concerts.
She graduated from the National School for Music and Scenic Art "Pancho Vladigerov" in her hometown, Burgas. In 2014, she graduated from the National Music Academy ”Prof. Pancho Vladigerov”, Sofia.
Martina studied with the eminent Professor Marina Kapatsinskaya and had the opportunity to learn from world-renowned Professor Dmitrii Bashkirov.
She participated in many masterclasses:
Jean-Bernard Pommier, Augustin Dumay,
Boris Bloch,
Paolo Police,
Pancho Vladigerov - junior
Plamena Mangova,Dimulesku Vlad and others.
She is currently a PhD student at the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Prof. Asen Diamandiev” in Plovdiv.
Festivals and International Performances
Martina has performed in various prestigious festivals, including:
San Martino a Natale, Venice;
Summer music academy Mozarteum, Salzburg;
Musica Arvenzis, Slovakia;
Festival Musicale delle Nazioni, Rome
Lake Como Varenna Festival;
International Music Festival "Varna Summer";
European Music Festival;
"Sofia Music Weeks" Festival;
Balabanov's House Music Days;
Intermusicfest
Awards, Honors and Albums
Martina is a laureate in numerous national and international competitions, including:
Aevea Piano Prize, Italy;
Leopold Bellan International Music Competition, France;
International Moscow Music Competition;
Rudolf Barshai International competition, Russia;
Carl Filtsch International Piano Competition, Romania;
Tkaczewski International Piano Competition, Poland;
"IMKA" International Music Competition;
Odin International Music Competition;
International Competition “Pancho Vladigerov”, Bulgaria;
National Competition for Young Instrumentalists and Singers “Svetoslav Obretenov”, Bulgaria;
International Competition “Music and Earth”, Bulgaria;
National Competition for Young Pianists “Dimitar Nenov”, Bulgaria;
Music of Austria and Germany Music Competition;
Competition for Czech and Slovak Music, Bulgaria.
She is also a recipient of scholarships from different associations as the National Culture Fund of Republic of Bulgaria.
She has participated in concerts in Bulgaria, France, Italy, Germany, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Bahrein.
Martina has recorded for Bulgarian National Radio, Bulgarian National Television, the National Music Academy, NHK Japan and has received diplomas for excellence in music from the Municipality of Burgas and the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria.
In 2020, Martina Tabakova was awarded with the prestigious distinction "Musician of the Year" in the category "Ensemble of the Year" 2019 (together with the violinist Zornitsa Ilarionova) by Bulgarian National Radio.
In 2022, Martina Tabakova received the prestigious Golden Quill Honorary Award by Cantus Firmus for high achievements in music.
In 2021, Martina recorded CD "Virtuoso Masterpieces" with the support of the Ministry of Culture in Bulgaria. She has also recored albums with pieces by C.Franck and F.Schubert for the label OnClassical/NAXOS.
Pop and Jazz Projects
Besides being a classical pianist, Martina is well - known as a pop and jazz singer. Her first appearance as a talented vocal performer is in the third season of X-factor Bulgaria. In 2018 she recorded a duet with her husband and stage partner - the popular bulgarian musician Kostadin Georgiev - Kalki. Their song became the winner of Bulgarian National Television's chart "New 10+2".
Other projects of the romantic duo are "Great Love Duets" and "Kalki's Family".
Pedagogical and Creative Work
Martina is also a piano pedagogue. Among her students, for a short period, were celebrities such as Hollywood star Lizzy Caplan and British actor Woody Norman. Her methods are highly individual and engaging. Being both a professional pianist and singer, she shares these dual skills with her students - a quality that makes her a distinctive and sought-after teacher.
She also takes part in Bulgarian and international film productions and commercials.
Here you can enjoy more of Martina’s music.
