Born in Vidin (Bulgaria) Nikolay started to play the trumpet at age of 13. After graduating at the Conservatoire de Fribourg with Jean-François Michel for trumpet teacher (former principal trumpet with the Munich Philharmonic) with Diplôme d’enseignement de Trompette he took a postgraduate course in performance (trumpet) under the tutorials of Murray Greig (Opera North) andJohn Miller. After few years of working as a principal trumpet with the Vidin Philharmonic, he is freelancing at present as a performer and teaching brass at the St Cyril and St Methodius Secondary School – Vidin and acting as a music director of the school marching band.

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In addition to his formal education Nikolay has attended masterclasses and private lessons of between others Maurice André, Rod Franks, Maurice Murphy, Robert Rotter and more recently - Larry Meregillano

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Awards and Bursaries:

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Bourse d’études André Bähler Stiftung (Zürich) (2001, 2002, 2004)

Bourse d’études Max Husmann Stiftung (2002, 2003)

RNCM Entrance Award (2004)

RNCM Governors’ Award (2004)

RNCM Bursary(2004)

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Professional Experience:

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Since 09.2020 Brass Instructor and Music Director with the St. Cyril &  Methody High School (Vidin, Bulgaria)

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2018-2020 Trumpet and Trombone with Razgrad Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria)

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2012-2017  Trumpet for party and show bands with Amara Dolce Vita world hotels   

 

2006-2009 Tutti Flugelhorn with Vidin Town Wind Band

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2006-2008  Principal Trumpet with Vidin Philharmonic State Orchestra

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2002-2004  Brass instructor with Fanfare St Cecile-Dompierre                                     (Swtizerland, Brass Band)

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18.10.2003   Wind Octet (Nikolay Iliev, 2002) Première

2001             Extra work with Orchestre Symphonique de Fribourg (Switzerland)