Ivan Ivanov

Ivan Ivanov, winner of the Summer 2021 King’s Peak International Music Competition, the MAP International Competition 2021, the UNLV CFA Seed Grant 2020, and the Nevada Arts Council Jackpot grant 2019, has been hailed for his "rich sound, flashy technique and color palette" by the Clarinet Journal. The Bulgarian-born clarinetist studied at the Sofia State Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov," where he completed his bachelor’s degree with distinctions.

In 2004, Ivanov became a permanent member of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, performing under renowned conductors such as Sir Neville Marriner, Jean Bernard Pommier, Rossen Milanov, and Shungo Moriyama. His orchestral career has taken him on tours across France, Germany, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Japan, and other countries.

Dr. Ivanov earned his master’s degree in Clarinet Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, studying under Michael Rusinek, and later completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with Dr. Marina Sturm. He also received instruction from Ricardo Morales, Principal Clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra. While at Carnegie Mellon, he collaborated with surrealist composer Leonardo Balada, recording a CD titled Leonardo Balada Works for Clarinet. This collaboration inspired Ivanov to delve deeper into Surrealism, resulting in his book Leonardo Balada and Surrealism in Music, which explores the relationship between Balada and the iconic artist Salvador Dalí.

Dr. Ivanov has made numerous recordings for the Bulgarian National Radio and Bulgarian Television, many of which have been broadcast. His upcoming CD, Contemporary Solo Clarinet, will feature works by Boulez, Stockhausen, Baley (world premiere), Mantovani, and Carter. Additionally, his new book, Music in the World, has just been released by Kendall Hunt. Ivanov is also a substitute player with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the San Diego Symphony.

In 2023, Dr. Ivanov served as a jury member at the Utah Tech University Woodwind Competition, as well as at the Dan Stover Music Competition in 2020 and 2022, the UNLV Research Forum, and the UNLV Rebel Grand Slam. As a Buffet Crampon Artist, he performs exclusively on Buffet Crampon Tosca and R13 clarinets.

Clarinet Teachers: Michael Rusinek, Ricardo Morales, and Dr. Marina Sturm.