Biography

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Flutist Yana Nikol passionately embraces jazz and world music while expanding on her extensive classical training. She is an active freelancer in the DMV area, participating in various projects and ensembles that incorporate a vast array of musical genres. She is also the creator and leader of Project Locrea - a global music ensemble dedicated to creating and performing original compositions and contemporary arrangements inspired by the traditional music of different countries. Yana has performed at The Mansion at Strathmore, The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Blues Alley Jazz Club and George Mason University Center for the Arts among others. 

Born and raised in Bulgaria, Yana Nikol has won first prizes in several national and international competitions during her high school and college years. Among them are “Svetoslav Obretenov,” “Classical and modern” and “Young Virtuosos”. She continued developing her musicianship in the master classes of world-renowned flutists Andrash Adorian, Wolfgang Schulz, Brian Luce, Gary Schocker, and Marianne Gedigian. Yana’s dedication provided her the rare opportunity to perform as a soloist with professional orchestras back in her home country Bulgaria. In 2006, she was the sole recipient of Gallery “Young talents” scholarship for Woodwind instruments. 

Yana Nikol holds flute performance degrees from the National Academy of Music in Bulgaria (BM) and the University of South Florida (MM) where she was presented with an Outstanding Merit Award in “recognition of outstanding student citizenship and exemplary performance during the 2007-08 academic year.” She has also completed two years of postgraduate studies at George Mason University for Music Performance/Flute.

Having music degrees in two different countries with distinctly different teaching styles gives Ms Nikol a unique perspective and approach to teaching young flute players. She has maintained a successful private flute studio since 2003. She organizes two flute recitals a year for her private students where the young flutists are introduced to standard flute repertoire, less known composers and music styles, as well as flute chamber music and flute choir. Many of her students regularly participate in Solo&Ensemble and successfully audition for district band and local youth orchestras, currently holding positions in TCSYO (The Capitol Symphony Youth Orchestra) and WMYO (Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra). In addition Ms Nikol has experience as a judge for District Band auditions. 

As part of her past teaching experience Yana Nikol has taught for Joan Sparks’ Flute Pro Shop (DE), The Music Loft in Herndon (VA), Harmonia School of Music and Arts in Vienna (VA) and DC Music Academy.