Daria Koleva

Daria Koleva is an Associate Professor at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA), Faculty of Performing Arts, Department of Stage Movement, where she has taught Bulgarian folk dances, ethno-folklore, classical dance, and rhythmics since 1979 for drama theater, puppet theater, and movement theater specialties. Her pedagogical work integrates traditional Bulgarian dance forms into theatrical training with cultural precision.

Her academic background includes:

• State Choreographic School - Sofia (1974), profile 'Bulgarian Folk Dances', class of Dimitar Dimitrov
• Higher Music and Pedagogical Institute (now Academy of Music and Dance Art) in Plovdiv (1987), majoring in 'Choreographic Direction' with qualification 'Choreographer-Director, Pedagogue'

Professor Koleva's research focuses on preserving and adapting Bulgarian ritual-dance traditions for theatrical pedagogy. She developed specialized curricula for all theater specialties at NATFA, emphasizing technical rigor and cultural authenticity in folk dance forms. Her work bridges ethnographic accuracy with contemporary stage applications across drama and puppetry programs.

Her honors include:

• First prize for 'Dolls' chamber dance at Decade of Art Schools, Varna (1974)
• Originality award for Bulgarian ritual-dance choreography at Zvolen International Folklore Festival (2005)

She has mentored generations of theater students through semester exams, admission committees, and consultations while choreographing landmark productions like 'The Three Brothers and the Golden Apple' (1982) and 'Colorful Embroidery' (1992). Her leadership of the Gaber village children's ensemble (1980-1983) earned regional and national awards for authentic ritual folklore preservation.

Professor Koleva actively shapes institutional policy as member of the Department Council of Stage Movement, Faculty Attestation Committee, General Assembly of Performing Arts, and Academic Community.