The UCLA Herb Alperb School of Music
presents

Kolev Family Bulgarian Music Ensemble

Four brilliant singers and virtuoso musicians from Bulgaria will perform in an informal concert.

Monday, Oct. 17, 2011
7 pm
1200 Schoenberg Music Building
(Jan Popper Theater)

Donka Koleva, vocals
Maria Koleva, vocals
Nikolai Kolev, gudulka
Ivan Milev, accordion

NIKOLAI KOLEV (leader, arranger, gadulka), a native of Karavelovo in Bulgarian Thrace, has been playing gadulka since age 10. After graduating from the music high school in Shiroka Luka, he has performed constantly, first as soloist of the Sliven Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances. In 1985 Nikolai formed the folk wedding music ensemble Rozova Dolina, and in 1992 he founded the prize-winning ensemble Balkanski Glasove. Nikolai has accompanied many well-known singers, including Vulkana Stojanova, Roumen Rodopski and Todor Kozhuharov.

DONKA KOLEVA (voice) is a native of the village of Tuzha in the Stara Zagora region of Bulgarian Thrace. She graduated from the Musical Folklore High School in Shiroka Luka, and performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. She was the director of the Folk Song Chorus of Sopot, has been a featured soloist on Bulgarian Radio-TV. Donka has participated in many singing competitions in Bulgaria and Europe. Donka's voice has been featured on numerous recordings, and in 1997, her recording of "Javore" was named "Song of the Year" in the Bulgarian national radio competition.

MARIA KOLEVA (voice, daire), is a graduate of the Folklore Music High School in Shiroka Luka.

IVAN MILEV (accordion) learned the intricacies of Bulgarian folk music from his father, Atanas Milev, a renowned and innovative folk accordionist. In 1978 Ivan created his own orchestra, which performed at festivals, fairs, in concerts, and on Bulgarian national television. Ivan toured the U.S. in 2001 with saxophonist Yuri Yanakov. His playing can be heard on the soundtrack of "Everything is Illuminated," a widely acclaimed independent movie featuring Elijah Wood and directed by Liev Schreiber. In 2006 Ivan Milev Band recorded its debut album, "The Flight of Krali Marco."

 

Open to the public and free of charge
Parking in Lot 2 — $11 (Hilgard and Westholme)
Information: (310) 825-8381