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 as a performer and teaching brass at the St Cyril and St Methodius Secondary School – Vidin and acting as a music director of the school marching band.

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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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Since May 2024 Nikolay has started to build his own trumpets and flugelhorns, which has never been done before in Vidin, and maybe in Bulgaria in general. While the trumpets will have a standard layout, the flugelhorns will have the bell on the left of the piston block, which we believe will offer a more free vibration of the bell and will enhance the dynamic possibilities of the instrument.

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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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Since 09.2020 Brass Instructor and Music Director with the St. Cyril &  Methody High School (Vidin, Bulgaria)

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2018-2020 Trumpet and Trombone with Razgrad Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria)

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

 

2006-2009 Tutti Flugelhorn with Vidin Town Wind Band

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2006-2008  Principal Trumpet with Vidin Philharmonic State Orchestra

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

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18.10.2003   Wind Octet (Nikolay Iliev, 2002) Première

2001             Extra work with Orchestre Symphonique de Fribourg (Switzerland)