VANIA DOBREVA
Vania Dobreva is an award-winning classical pianist who resides in San Francisco, California. Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Vania entered the world of art at the age of four when she began studying the piano, rhythmic gymnastics and classical ballet. She was accepted to the “ Dobrin Petkov National Music School for Gifted Children” specializing in piano.
Vania began entering prestigious competitions at an early age and winning prizes, some of which include an Honorable Diploma from the 16th National Competition Svetoslav Obretenov, Bulgaria in 1994.
In 1999, after a very successful concert season in Europe, she was accepted with a full scholarship to study at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in Southern California. After graduating from Idyllwild Arts Academy with the honor, "Outstanding Pianist", in 2002 she applied and was accepted to numerous schools, but chose to study with renowned Pianist Mack McCray at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In addition, she was awarded the Milton Salkind Piano scholarship for the length of her studies. Vania received her Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she was given the honor of undergraduate graduation speaker at commencement. During her tenure at SFCM, Vania was elected as the Keyboard Department’s Representative on the Student Advisory Committee, serving for two consecutive years, and she received the Dean’s Award for Service.
Vania has performed numerous recitals in Europe and the United States including performances at the Gasteig Concert Hall in Munich and the Chopin Foundation in San Francisco.
Vania currently maintains a busy private studio and is also a piano faculty at Holy Name Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Community Music Center and Notre Dame des Victoires School.
Visit Vania's website: http://vaniadobreva.com
ANNE GAYLORD
Anne Gaylord began studying the violin at the age of four. She was trained in the Suzuki method, one she holds dear to her heart. She was awarded a scholarship to study music at Butler University where she was a member of the Butler Symphony Orchestra. After graduating with a double major in music and international studies, she put to two together while teaching for a year in Chile. In 2006 Anne moved to the Bay Area and has called this home ever since. When she is not seeking out musical opportunities, her full time job is with the Archdiocese of San Francisco in the Office of Child and Youth Protection.
PATRICK O’CONNELL
Shortly after Patrick O’Connell began playing the guitar, he was performing around the country in master classes held by such artists as Christopher Parkening, Manuel Barrueco, Antigoni Goni, Scott Tennant, Aniello Desiderio, and Tilman Hoppstock. As a merit scholarship recipient, he received his Bachelors degree in guitar performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Manuel Barrueco and Ray Chester in 2003. Upon entering his graduate studies, Patrick was awarded the extraordinary opportunity of giving his Carnegie Hall debut in 2005. In 2006, Patrick received his Masters degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he studied with David Tanenbaum, Dusan Bogdanovic, and Mark Teicholz.
In addition to a busy teaching schedule, Patrick dedicates his time to performing throughout the bay area in solo appearances and internationally with the San Francisco Guitar Quartet, http://www.sfgq.com/
SHANNON WOLFE
Soprano Shannon Wolfe is an emerging young artist, having most recently performed on the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's opera stage as Madame Herz in Mozart's opera The Impresario. Other Conservatory stage credits include La Poésie in the chamber opera Les Arts Florissants and Soprano Soloist in both Vivaldi's Gloria and Bach's Magnificat with the Conservatory's Baroque Ensemble. Additional stage credits include Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi with Northern Arizona University Opera, and Belinda in Dido and Aeneas at the Vancouver Early Music Society’s annual Baroque Summer Music Festival. Upcoming performances include a solo recital as part of the Mazatlán International Cultural Festival in Mazatlán, Mexico this Fall.
Ms. Wolfe is on faculty at the Holy Name Conservatory of Music as well as the Sunset Music Academy in San Francisco. Additionally, she maintains private teaching studios in San Francisco and Davis. She holds a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory as well as a Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in Sociology from Northern Arizona University.
Enjoy Shannon's Website: www.shannonmariewolfe.com
JILL M. WENZEL
Jill Wenzel has a Bachelors of Music Degree from San Francisco State University. Jill has been teaching individual students various musical styles including classical, popular and jazz, piano technique and musical theory. Sha has been engaging students in piano performance with regular performances and competitions. Jill has been a member of the San Francisoo Music Branch Board of Director and the Liszt Music Society. Aside from her private students, Jill is a faculty member of St. Cecilia’s School of Music and Holy Name Conservatory of Music.
