Jassen Todorov

Jassen Todorov is a Professor of Violin at San Francisco State University's School of Music and concurrently serves as a Visiting Professor at Xinjiang Arts University, Xinjiang Normal University, and Qimingxing School of Music in China. His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree from the Harid Conservatory and a master’s from the Eastman School of Music. He was Director of the School of Music and Dance at SFSU from 2008–2010.

His research and performance focus spans the entire violin repertoire, with specialization in Bach's sonatas, Beethoven, Brahms, and Ysaye. He has recorded landmark albums of these works, praised by The Strad and American Record Guide for his technical mastery and musicality.

Award-winning photographer and pilot, Todorov holds a Commercial Pilot License and Flight Instructor Certificate. His aerial photography has earned over 20 international awards, including the 2018 National Geographic Grand Prize. Notable photography series include landscapes of Iceland, the Grand Canyon, and industrial sites in the American Southwest.

Key academic awards include the Eastman Teaching Award (2002) and Crystal Lyre (2006). His performances span five continents, with notable venues including New York’s Weill Recital Hall and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. He plays a 1914 Enrico Rocca violin and maintains active roles in music education and aviation.