Yasen Valchanov

Assoc. Prof. Yasen Valchanov is an accomplished ballet artist and educator at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts and Film Arts (NATFAZ), Department of Dramatic Theater. He has held roles as a Premier Soloist with the National Opera and Ballet Sofia, Artistic Director of Sofia’s National Opera Ballet, and Head of Graduating Classes at NATFAZ. His career spans over four decades with notable achievements including multiple international ballet competition medals and prestigious awards like the Golden Lyre (1986) and Crystal Lyre (2000).

Education: Graduated from the Petersburg Academic Choreographic School 'A. Ya. Vaganova' (1977) and earned a Master’s in Ballet Pedagogy and Directing from Plovdiv’s Academy of Music and Dance. His global engagements include guest performances with theaters in Monaco, Italy, Japan, and Greece, as well as jury roles in international ballet competitions such as Varna, Paris, and Osaka.

Research focuses on classical and contemporary ballet techniques, pedagogy, and cultural promotion. He has choreographed acclaimed productions like 'Lady of the Camellias' and 'Zorba the Greek', collaborating with renowned choreographers including Pierre Lacotte and Yuri Grigorovich. Over 100 roles in classical and modern ballets highlight his artistic versatility.

Awards include the 1999 Honorary Diploma from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Culture and 2000’s Crystal Lyre. His mentorship spans decades, training students who achieved international accolades, such as Dilyana Nikiforova’s bronze medal in Varna (1998).