Faculty


Neli Hadjiyska: Philosopher and historian, PhD in philosophical anthropology (BAS), activist. Gergana School founder, principal and teacher of Bulgarian language and history since its inception. Gergana executive manager and public relations officer. Neofit Rilski honorary award, 2013. Member, Ethics Committee, Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad.

Krassi Ivanchev: Professional chorus conductor, pianist, experienced director and music teacher with practice in Sofia and New York. Artistic Director of the Gergana Children’s Chorus since 2006 and the Men’s and Mixed Chorus since their inception.

Valentin Hadjiyski: Philosopher and historian, PhD in Philosophy (BAS), MBA (Cal State). Formerly BAS scholar, MFA and UN diplomat, consul; now journalist. Gergana teacher of Bulgarian, history and geography; editor, translator, logistics manager. Neofit Rilski award, 2016.

Gina DiDonato: Actress and singer, graduated in Music Theater from the American Musical аnd Drama Academy in New York. Holds a MA from CUNY’s Hunter College and MA in Bulgarian from Sofia University. Gergana Drama Studio Director, drama and preschool teacher, stage director and MC.

Iliyana Dimitrova: Experienced high school and college teacher of Bulgarian, Russian and English, graduate of Veliko Tarnovo University, expert in the methodology of language teaching. Тeaches Bulgarian language, history and geography.

Lora Al-Ahmad: Piano and Composition М.А. student at Mannes College-The New School of Мusic, accomplished concert pianist and classic composer, laureate of international competitions and Gergana's Children’s Chorus, Mixed Chorus and music theater class pianist.

Dima Varlamova O'Keefe: Designer and educator. Graduated Parsons-The New School for Design, New York, and UNWE (УНСС), Sofia. Fashion designer, Assistant Professor in Fashion Design at Parsons. Teaches visual art. Designer of the Gergana logo.

Mariya Fuchedzhieva: Experienced elementary school teacher, teaches Bulgarian and social studies.

Eva Gendell: Graduate of Sofia University. Teaches music theater and Bulgarian as second language for beginners. Assistant stage director, individual performance coaching and families' coordination.

Ivanka Nikolova: Experienced elementary school and preschool teacher holding a degree in elementary and early childhood education from Shumen University. Teaches Bulgarian language and literature, social studies and Bulgarian folk dance.

Vanessa Pojarliev: Teaches yoga.

Madlena Bobeva: Teaches rhythmic gymnastics, gymnastics and ballet.

Former Faculty

Asya Grozdanova (2019-2022) – assistant teacher of visual art

Anton Antonov (2018-2020) – teacher of Bulgarian folk dance

Kirill Balabanov (2018-2020) – teacher of martial arts

Gergana Goranova (2018-2020) – teacher of gymnastics

Emilia Ivanova (2017-2019) – teacher of Bulgarian

Blagomira Lipari (2017-2018) – teacher of music theater and rhythmic gymnastics

Nadezhda Staneva (2015-2018) – teacher of dance

Stefka Evstatieva (2004 - 2017) – world renowned opera soprano, formerly soloist at Metropolitan Opera. Gergana Chorus co-founder and vocal coach of the Children’s, Men’s and Mixed Chorus. Currently on the Board of Directors

Magdalena Dushkina: (2012-2017) Gergana Children’s and Men's Chorus pianist (2012-14), music theater class teacher and pianist (2014-2017), currently on the Board of Directors

Boryana Yordanova (2013-2017) – teacher of  rhythmic gymnastics, gymnastics, and yoga

Mita Valcheva (2016-2017) – teacher of Bulgarian

Valya Ivanova (2015-2016) – teacher of visual art

Marina Vladimirova (2013-2015) – teacher of Bulgarian

Mariya Ivanova (2012-2013) – teacher of Bulgaria

Victoria Tzotzkova, PhD (2007-2012) – Children’s Chorus pianist

Madlen Cholakova, PhD (2006-2012) – teacher of drama

Zora Boyadzhieva (2007-2012) – teacher of Bulgarian

Rositsa Chilingirova (2010-2011) – teacher of Bulgarian

Tanya Georgieva (2009-2010) – teacher of Bulgarian

Daniela Smith (2004-2007) – Children’s Chorus pianist, currently on the Board of Directors

Yana Kalinkova (2005-2007) – teacher of Bulgarian

Gergana Velinova (2004-2006) – Children’s Chorus founding director

School starts with Haigo Agassian concert, 15 September 2013. Photo: Christina Velinova