ABOUT THE ARTIST
The Bulgarian-born pianist Hristo Birbochukov [B IH R – b oh – CH UU – k oh v] has appeared frequently in solo and collaborative music performances in Eastern Europe and in the United States, including a New York debut recital in 2012. Known for his “sensitivity” and “superb artistry” (Edward Lein, Intermezzo Concert Series), Birbochukov has performed as a guest soloist with numerous orchestras and has participated in international music festivals, such as the International Festival for Contemporary Piano Music ppIANISSIMO (Sofia), and the International Festival of New Music (Florida). Birbochukov’s honors include awards from national and international competitions in Bulgaria, Steinway & Sons Top Teacher Award (2017, 2018), Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award as a Pianist and Music Educator (United States, 2017), Quarterfinalists for the 2017 GRAMMY's Music Educator Award (United States, 2017), inclusion of Marquis’ Who is Who in America as a Pianist and Music Educator since 2015, the Phi Kappa Phi Artist of the Year Award (Florida, 2007), and Tallahassee Music Guild Award (2005 and 2007). Birbochukov’s television and radio appearances have included broadcasts in both Bulgaria and in the United States and he has been featured in national and international press including the official website of BBC Music Magazine and the largest-circulation Bulgarian national newspaper Trud.
Hristo Birbochukov earned his Doctor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Florida State University, where he taught applied piano as a Teaching Assistant. He received a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Music Conservatory in Sofia, Bulgaria, under Prof. Dimo Dimov.
A sought-after educator, Dr. Birbochukov has presented recitals and master classes at numerous colleges and universities across the United States and has served as an adjudicator for competitions in the United States and Eastern Europe. Students of Dr. Birbochukov are frequent winners of state, regional, and national piano competitions, and were selected as finalists for the National Radio Program “From the top." Presently, Dr. Hristo Birbochukov is the Chair of the Classical Instrumental Department of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and an Artist-Teacher in Applied Piano. In addition, he is on the Music Faculty of NOBTS, where he teaches Applied Piano to Doctoral piano students, he is Director of the New Orleans Piano Institute (NOPI) and on the Board of Directors of the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans (MASNO).