Grigor Palikarov graduated from the State Academy of Music majoring in Piano under Professor Krassimir Taskov, Choral Conducting under Professor Stoyan Kralev (1995), Composition under Professor Dimitar  Tapkoff and Orchestral Conducting under Professor Vassil Kazandjiev (1996). He specialised in composition with Professor Erich Urbaner at the Prague-Vienna-Budapest Summer International Academy held in Ranhenau, Austria (1995, 1997). As a pianist, he gave solo recitals in Bulgaria and abroad, he played with orchestras in Sofia and in other towns, he recorded for the Bulgarian National Radio with the Sinfonietta Orchestra and was prizewinner at national and international competitions. He also won the Crystal Lyre Award (2001).

During the period 1995-96 he conducted the Academic Symphony Orchestra and the Academic Opera Theatre and also assisted Professor Nedyalko Nedyalkov at the Sofia Opera (Elisir d’amore by Donizetti). In 1995 he was appointed conductor and in 1997 chief conductor of the Ensemble of the Bulgarian Army, a post he held until the ensemble was dissolved in March 1999. In summer 1997 he conducted the National Orchestra of Belgium in Brussels and the New Tone Ensemble (Vienna), the Vidin Symphony Orchestra and the Bankya Chamber Orchestra. In 1998 he conducted the musical Charlie’s Aunt at the State Music Theatre. His active conducting practice at the Sofia Opera started in the concert season 1998-99 with a gala concert attended by the opera singer Ghena Dimitrova and prizewinners of the Hristo Brambarov International Competition. Since then he has conducted a number of performances among which were the premiere of the fantastic opera The Firefly by Professor Victor Chuchkov.

He wrote choral, orchestral and chamber music. In 1994 he won the special prize for composition of the Young Bulgarian Talents Foundation named after Schnittke.

Choral-orchestral:

Cantata:

Hodie Christus natus est for female voices choir and symphony orchestra (1995-97).

For symphony orchestra:

Concert piece for piano and orchestra (1998).

For string orchestra:

Elegy (1995).

Chamber music:

Four Pieces for flute, French horn and double bass (version for bassoon and piano) (1997);
Piano Sonata (1994-95).

Choral music:

For mixed choir:

Three Songs (1992-93);
Three Psalms to Virgin Mary (1998-99).