Born in Vidin (Bulgaria) Nikolay started to play the trumpet at age of 13. After graduating at the Conservatoire de Fribourg with Jean-François Michel for trumpet teacher (former principal trumpet with the Munich Philharmonic) with Diplôme d’enseignement de Trompette he took a postgraduate course in performance (trumpet) under the tutorials of Murray Greig (Opera North) andJohn Miller. After few years of working as a principal trumpet with the Vidin Philharmonic, he is freelancing at present.

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In addition to his formal education Nikolay has attended masterclasses and private lessons of between others Maurice André, Rod Franks, Maurice Murphy, Robert Rotter and more recently - Larry Meregillano

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Awards and Bursaries:

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Bourse d’études André Bähler Stiftung (Zürich) (2001, 2002, 2004)

Bourse d’études Max Husmann Stiftung (2002, 2003)

RNCM Entrance Award (2004)

RNCM Governors’ Award (2004)

RNCM Bursary(2004)

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Professional Experience:

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Depuis 2020  Enseignant des cuivres et chef d'orchestre d'harmonie d'ecole

2012-2017       Trumpet for party and show bands with Amara Dolce Vita world hotels   

2006-2009     Tutti Flugelhorn with Vidin Town Wind Band

2006-2008     Principal Trumpet with Vidin Philharmonic State Orchestra

2002-2004     Brass instructor with Fanfare St Cecile-Dompierre (Swtizerland, Brass Band)

18.10.2003       Wind Octet (Nikolay Iliev, 2002) Première

2001                 Extra work with Orchestre Symphonique de Fribourg (Switzerland)

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