Doriana Tchakarova is a Bulgarian classical music artist who has made a name for herself as a pianist, chamber musician, and educator. Born on May 5, 1981, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Tchakarova showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a piano teacher and her father a composer and conductor. Tchakarova's talent was evident from a young age, and she quickly became a sought-after performer in Bulgaria. She won her first national piano competition at the age of nine and went on to win numerous other competitions throughout her childhood and teenage years. In 1996, she was awarded the Grand Prix at the International Competition for Young Musicians in Belgrade, Serbia. After completing her studies at the National School of Music in Sofia, Tchakarova continued her education at the National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov" in Sofia, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance. She then went on to pursue a Master's degree in Piano Performance at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria, where she studied with renowned pianist and pedagogue Paul Badura-Skoda. Tchakarova's career as a professional musician began to take off in the early 2000s, when she started performing extensively throughout Europe and Asia. She has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. She has also given recitals in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, such as the Musikverein in Vienna, the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and the Carnegie Hall in New York. One of the highlights of Tchakarova's career was her performance at the 2006 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. She was one of only 78 pianists selected from a pool of over 400 applicants to compete in the prestigious event, which is widely regarded as one of the most important piano competitions in the world. Tchakarova made it to the third round of the competition, where she performed Chopin's Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, and received high praise from the judges and the audience. In addition to her work as a soloist, Tchakarova is also an accomplished chamber musician. She has collaborated with some of the world's leading musicians, including violinist Midori, cellist Mischa Maisky, and clarinetist Sabine Meyer. She is a founding member of the Trio Artio, a piano trio that has performed extensively throughout Europe and Asia and has released several critically acclaimed recordings. Tchakarova is also a dedicated educator and has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov" in Sofia and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. She has given masterclasses and workshops in Bulgaria, Austria, Japan, and the United States, and has mentored numerous young musicians who have gone on to successful careers in music. Throughout her career, Tchakarova has received numerous awards and accolades for her performances and recordings. In 2003, she was awarded the Grand Prix at the International Piano Competition "Citta di Marsala" in Italy. In 2007, she received the "Crystal Lyre" award from the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers, which is the highest honor given to musicians in Bulgaria.

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