Yavor Dimitrov graduated from the State Academy of Music majoring in Piano under Professor Bogomil Starshenov and Professor Anton Dikov (1987). At the same time he studied Composition under Professor Mihail Pekov. In 1993 he received a Diploma from the John Hopkins University (USA) for his successful participation and presented project on founding and structuring non-profit organisations.

Professional career

From 09.2019 is the director of the “BNR Music House” Bulgarian National Radio;
In the period 2016-2019, he was the manager of the “Foreign Markets” team at the Trading Company;
From 2002 to 2014 He is the General Director of the Sofia Philharmonic National Institute and he has realized:

• Construction, implementation and management of an innovative concept for the development of the Sofia Philharmonic (orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles) and Concert Complex “Bulgaria”. Creation of the gallery “Bulgaria”;

• Thematic educational programs and events for different ages and social groups:
– “Share the Music” – evenings in the Vrana castle;
– Concerts at Sofia Airport, Terminal 2, on the occasion of Europe Day;
– “Open education”;
-„The Bear Fil“;
-“Music for the soul”;

• Realized concert performances together with Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Sir Nevil Mariner, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Sonia Yoncheva, Sting, Toto Cotugno, Umberto Tozzi, Al Bano, Deep Purple, Manowar, Il Divo and others;

• Active International Activity. Joint work with the embassies of European countries, Japan, South Korea, China, etc.:
-“Austrian Music Weeks”;
– Days of Japanese culture;
– Annual International Francophonie Day;
– Partnership with the Vienna Philharmonic;
– Realized tours in Malta, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Russia, Montenegro, Macedonia;
– Provided $500,000 for the purchase of new instruments, construction of a recording studio of the Sofia Philharmonic – financed by Japan;

• Awarded the highest honors of the institution during the administration:
– Badge of honor of the President
– Badge of honor of Sofia Municipality
– Shalom Organization Award
– Golden Lira of SBMTD
– Crystal Lyre on Classic FM
– “The Golden Muse” and many others.

In the period 1993-1997 he was the Director of the National Center for Music and Dance at the Ministry of Culture.

Yavor Dimitrov was invited by the Minister of Culture to organize and head the National Center, of which he is the first director.
• Carrying out a reform in the sphere of culture. • Creation of new policy and regulations in the field of performing arts.
• Introducing the status of National, regional and local institutes. • New forms of financing – mixed financing, “Open Stages”
• Management of all music and dance activities in Bulgaria, including the state institutes
• Implementing a competition principle, supporting projects in the field of musical art.
• Participation in the creation of the law on the protection and development of Bulgarian culture, the law on non-profit organizations, the law on patronage and others.

From 1996-1998 he was a member of the Board of Directors of MIK “Balkanton” EAD
• Carrying out the entire production cycle and commercial activity of the company

From 1991-1993, he was the deputy director of musical and creative affairs at the “Lyubomir Pipkov” National Music School, Sofia.

Teaching activity

2009 New Bulgarian University (NBU) – Director of the “Art Management” program (Cultural Management), Department of “Public Administration”;

From 1984-2009 he was a teacher at the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov”, Sofia;
Lecturer at Southwest University “Neofit Rilski” – Blagoevgrad;
Lecturer at NMU “Lyubomir Pipkov”, Sofia.

Creative activity

Concerts with original music in Canada, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, South Korea, Russia, England, Czech Republic, etc.;
Realized CD recordings and music films from ORF Austria, Balkanton Bulgaria, Chako Music, BNT, BNR, GX Production, etc.;
Songs performed by Georgi Hristov, Petya Buyuklieva, “Bon-Bon”, “Melody” with Polly Genova, Etienne Levi, Vasil Petrov, etc.;
Creator of the piano duo Teddy and Yavor – a unique composition combining classics, jazz improvisation and Bulgarian folklore;
Piano Trio “Dynamics”;
Tact Jazz-Rock Quartet;
Creator and producer of the Art-rock group “Orion”, the “Shaka Zulu” orchestra;
Idea inspirer of Youth Philharmonic “Sofia”;
Discoverer and producer of young artists;
Public activity in different periods;
Member of the Board of the Vienna Club Sofia;
Chairman of the Control Board of the Union of Bulgarian Composers;
Academician of the Bulgarian Academy of Science and Arts (BASA);
Member of the National Council for Music and Dance Art;
Member of the Control Commission of “Music Author”;
Secretary of the Council for Music at the Ministry of Culture;
Member of the Board of the Union of Bulgarian Composers;
Initiator and co-founder of the Crystal Lyre Music Awards;
Founder and President of the Young Music Talents Foundation;
Co-founder of the “Saint Great Martyr George Zograf” Foundation;
Member of the Board of Community Centers “V. Levski” and “Red Star”, Sofia;
Member of the jury in a number of national and international competitions and festivals.

Awards

2015 – “Iron Cross” – order of the President of Austria for outstanding services to the Republic of Austria
2014 – Badge of honor of the Vienna Club Sofia association
2014 – Iconic personality of Mladost region
2012 – “Yellow Rose”, award of Zonta-Club Sofia
2011 – “Golden Lyre”, award of the Union of Bulgarian Music and Dance Artists
2006 – “Golden Muse”, award for strengthening Bulgarian-Russian cultural ties
2005 – “Golden feather”, Classic FM award for contribution to Bulgarian culture

High honors, certificates of honor and awards from the Ministry of Culture, Sofia Municipality, national and international competitions and events.

Fluent in Russian and English;
Higher education – master’s degree from the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov”, Sofia;
Second and first class qualification from CIUU, SU “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

Specializations
2006 – Music Industries Management, Japan.
2004-2005 Participation in seminars:
Management of cultural institutions, organized by the American Cultural Center;
“Culture in the European Union – commitment and identity”.

1998-2002 graduated in law (part-time form) I-IV course at SSU Blagoevgrad;
1995 – Specialization in chamber music, NMA “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov”;
1993 – Creation and organization of non-profit organizations Johns Hopkins University, USA.

Chamber Music:
“Video Music” for 18 instruments;
“Movement Against Movement” – trio for violin, marimba and piano;
“The Lonely Bird” – sonata for piano and voice;
“Running Water” – sonata-impression for violin and piano.

Vocal music:
“Intimacy” – cycle for 2 sopranos and piano;
Songs based on poems by L. Levchev.

For two pianos:
“Priumitsa”; “Competition”; “Shadows”.

Others:

Sonata for solo violin, “Tropical climate” – for actor, 2 violins, piano and percussion.

“Miscellaneous things in a matchbox” – piano pieces for the little ones.

“Improvisations” – for solo piano.

Music for the poetic performance “Optimistic Doom” by N. Shopov.