Considered as one of the important interpreters among the new generation of Turkish pianists, Dr. Ozgur Mert Esen graduated with excellence from the doctoral program of Musical Arts at St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia in 2007, where he studied under the tutelage of State Artist of Russian Federation Professor Ekaterina Murina. He has subsequently gained international acclaim playing in national and international piano competitions. A frequent soloist with symphony orchestras, Esen is also the prizewinner of several National and International Piano Competitions and had performed in globally acclaimed venues and festivals.

Esen started his studies at DEU Izmir State Conservatory under the tutelage of Prof. Secil AKDIL. During his education, he started to appear on international stages such as Ville de Mulhouse and the Palais des Rohan, Strasbourg. He was invited to international festivals such as the Festival International Musique de Universitaire in 1997 and 1998. Before starting his doctoral degree in St Petersburg, he accepted the position of assistant professor at the Anadolu University State Conservatory, where he completed his master degree with excellence under the tutelage of State Artist of Azerbaijan Prof. Zohrab ADIGUZELZADE. He has recorded for Turkish National Radio & Television and was recently requested to appear in a promotion video for Steinway & Sons.
Dr. Esen has frequently being invited to the International Piano Competitions as a jury member, such as Malta International Piano Competition, Italy International Piano Competition, Abu Dhabi International Piano Competition.

He held the position of Head of Piano Faculty at Qatar Music Academy for a number of years, and has now taken on the role of Head of Western Music.

Alessio Mastrodonato was born in Italy, began playing the piano at the age of 8, and had his first performance at the age of 10. He received his Master's Degree in piano performance at CODARTS in Rotterdam, under the direction of the internationally renowned teacher Aquiles Delle Vigne, after completing his studies cum laude at the U. Giordano Conservatory in five years instead of ten.

Alessio attended piano masterclasses with world-renowned teachers such as Andrzej Jasinski, Andrea Lucchesini, Jerome Rose, Paul Lewis, Philippe Pickett, Fabio Bidini, Fernando Puchol, Agathe Leimoni, and Boris Kraljevic. His professional debut was performing Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 21, conducted by Benedetto Montebello. In the following years, Alessio performed as a soloist and in chamber music ensembles in several countries around the world, including France, the Netherlands, Palestine, Qatar, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, and India.

Alessio, as a popularizer of music, created new concert formats called "Lead Concert" and "Musical Chatts," and he was the creator and host of the radio program "Mondo in musica," which was broadcast on Radio Diaconia. Currently, he is a piano teacher and the head of musicianship at the Qatar Music Academy.

Education and qualifications:

• BA in Piano Performance Umberto Giordano Conservatory in Foggia, Italy
• Master of Music (MM) in Piano Performance Codarts Rotterdam University in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Anna Dieterich studied Opera singing with Maria Loidl in Vienna, and Lied and Oratorio under the tutelage of acclaimed professor Walter Moore, which engendered a fascination with Lied and Oratorio that remains with her to this day.

She continued her education with professor Claudia Visca and took part in masterclasses of Ester Salaman, Verena Rein and Thomas Hampson.

She sang in numerous ensembles and was part of the chamber choir Wiener Singakademie Kammerchor, which secured an award at the international A Cappella competition in Corinthia. She sang under the baton of Bertrand de Billy, George Pretre, Christian Thileman and Ton Koopmann.

Opera roles include Christel in Der Vogelhändler by C. Zeller, Gretel in Hänsel and Gretel by E. Humperdinck, Lauretta – Cara in Die Patin by R. Simms, Fantime in Abu Hassan, by C. M. v. Weber and Bastienne in Bastien et Bastienne by W. A. Mozart. Together with the Doha Baroque Ensemble she has performed Bach Cantatas, Händels Messiah, Bach‘s Christmas Oratorio and Pergolesi‘s Stabat Mater.

Anna has been living in Doha for many years, teaching singing at Qatar Music Academy.

From Ireland, Debbie studied piano and read music at Trinity College Dublin before pursuing postgraduate work in North America. This culminated in a doctoral degree in piano performance from McGill University in Montreal.

Her teachers have included Marek Jablonski, Mabel Swainson and Kyoko Hashimoto.

While she enjoys playing a wide range of repertoire, she especially enjoys early twentieth century French music which brought her several times to France where she worked with leading French pianists Pascal Rogé, Jacques Rouvier, Philippe Entremont and Fredéric Aguessy.

Additionally, masterclasses with György Sebok, Joyce Rathbone, Valeria Szervánszky and Karl-Heinz Kämmerling greatly influenced her musical development.

She has performed a wide range of repertoire to great acclaim as soloist and chamber musician on six continents and received notable awards for her playing in the U.S., Ireland and Canada.

She is presently accompanist and teacher of theory and musicianship at the Qatar Music Academy.

Education/Qualifications

• Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
• PhD in Piano Performance, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Born in 1989, Ukrainian pianist Denys Bodnar is a graduate of the National Academy of Music in Lviv (Ukraine) and the Karol Lipinski Academy of Music in Wrocław (Poland).

Among his teachers were renowned pianist and educators – Ljubov Rzesznivetska, prof. Teresa Starukh, concert pianist prof. Jozef Ermin, prof. Olga Rusina. He has taken part in many regional and international competitions, receiving a number of prizes and distinctions, including First Prize in the All-Ukraine Piano Competition, a diploma and ‘Sabin Dragoi’ prize in the Jeunesses International Piano Competition in Bucharest , was a finalist in the International Hans von Bülow Piano Competition in Meiningen (Germany), received Presidential scholarship award for outstanding achievements in music. 

Bodnar regularly performs in Qatar, Poland and Ukraine as a solo performer and as a soloist with the philharmonic orchestra - Lviv Philharmonic, National Opera of Algiers, Wroclaw Philharmonic, Lublin Philharmonic, Qatar National Theatre, and Chopin Museum in Warsaw. Currently based in Doha, he holds the position of piano teacher in Qatar Music Academy. Among his students there are winners of National and International piano competitions.

Education/Qualifications

• National Academy of Music, Lviv, Ukraine
• Karol Lipinski Academy of Music, Wrocław, Poland

Dobri Paliev started his music education at the National Music School and subsequently at the National Music Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria (Maria Palieva class).

As a soloist and chamber musician he has won a numerous prizes in international competitions such as:  Svetoslav Obretenov, The Music and the Earth, Pendim, Professor Dr. Zigfried Fink, Professor Dr. Dobri Paliev, Young musical talents. He has won the best Bach interpretation prize at the World Bach Marimba meeting - Grozhnian - Croatia.

As a soloist he has performed numerous concerts with the best orchestras in Bulgaria. He was invited to perform with Emil Tabakovs premiere for Four Tupans and to do a recording of the piece with the Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra. He played the Bella Bartok Concert for two pianos, percussion and orchestra with the world famous Duo Genova-Dimitrov and the Bulgarian National Radio orchestra in a concert and did a recording for the CPO label. The Bella Bartok CD was critically acclaimed as one of the best classical CD s of 2017 and received glowing reviews both in Europe and USA. 

As a member of  Polyrhythmia  ensemble, one of the first percussion groups in the world; he has performed numerous concerts in Bulgaria and Europe.

Dobri Paliev was awarded with the  Priz 2000  for his high musical achievements, and in 2015 was a Jury member in the  Young Musical Talents competition.

As a member of chamber ensembles, chamber orchestras and symphony orchestras such as Bulgarian National Radio, Sofia Philharmonic, Bulgarian National Opera and Bale orchestra, Justus Franz, European youth orchestra etc. he performed in countries such as: Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Germany and England. 

Since 2006 Dobri Paliev worked as co-principal timpani and percussion at the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony orchestra. From 2009 he worked in the National Music School Sofia as a solo and chamber music teacher, where his students won several prizes and were accepted into elite Universities.

Paliev now works at Qatar Music Academy as a Western Percussion teacher.

Ivan Vaglarov received his first violin lesson at age of five and his first piano lesson at age of eight. He studied at the National Music School and the National Music Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Ivan completed his music education with a Master Degree from the University of Music in Wuezburg, Germany in 2004,where he had the chance to work with one of the most outstanding violinist in Germany – Prof.Herwig Zack. He attended numerous of master classes with some of the most renowned specialists such as  Prof. Yfrah  Neaman, Prof. Michael Frischenschlager, Prof. Dora Schwarzberg, Prof.Grigory Zhislin and Prof.Mintcho Mintchev.

Mr. Ivan Vaglarov was appointed as a first violinist at the following orchestras: Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart (SWR) , South West German Philharmonic Konstanz, Wuerth Philharmonic. He also performed with German Radio Philharmonic Saarbruecken , New Symphony Orchestra Sofia (as 1st Concertmaster) and Quarto Quartet Chamber musicians of Sofia.

As a soloist and chamber musician he has performed a numerous concerts in Europe.

As a Violin teacher he has 20 years of very successful international experience. His students have won over 30 prizes from different countries all over the world. Ivan taught for six years at the Schott Music Academy in Mainz, Germany. He hold master classes and workshops in Bulgaria, Germany, Austria and France.

He is presently violin teacher at the Qatar Music Academy.

Pavlo Pelikhovskyi embarked on his musical odyssey at Chernivtsi College, S. Vorobkevych, from 2005 to 2009, honing his craft and graduating with Distinction as a guitar teacher, orchestra ensemble artist, and orchestra conductor, thus laying the cornerstone for his illustrious career in music education and performance.

From 2009 to 2013, Pavlo pursued his Bachelor of Music in Performance at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, enriching his musical repertoire and skills.

Culminating his educational journey, Pavlo attained a Master's degree in Musical Art from Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, specializing in classical guitar and conducting.
Since 2009, Pavlo has been sharing his knowledge as a guitar teacher. In 2014, he assumed the position of Head of the Guitar Studio at Shevchenko National University of Kiev. He joined the Qatar Music Academy in 2022.

Pavlo's dedication to music education and performance is evident in his three-volume collection, ‘I Am a Guitarist,’ born from years of teaching and performing experience. These books cater to students of all ages, offering a diverse selection of pieces to enrich their musical skills.

Awards:

• 2008: Awarded 2nd prize in the "New Names" competition in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.
• 2013: Received 3rd prize in the nationwide competition for soloists and ensembles, "Gold Antelope," held in Kiev, Ukraine.
• 2021: Honored with the Special Guitar Prize Award at the 6th Gulf International Chopin Competition in Kuwait, showcasing exceptional talent in the adult open repertoire level.

Education/Qualification:

• Bachelor of Arts in the specialty of ‘Musical Art’ with a focus on classical guitar from Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts.
• Master of Arts in the specialty of ‘Musical Art’ with a qualification as a Master of Music Art, specializing in classical guitar and conducting, Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Ukraine.

Rachel Seay has always had a passion for music, so when she was assigned the horn in beginning band at the age of 10, her fate was sealed. After graduating from high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, USA, Ms. Seay attended the University of Oregon, graduating cum laude with a degree in horn performance.

She received her masters degree in horn performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Her primary teachers have included Ellen Campbell, Douglas Campbell, Randy Gardner, and John Ericson and has performed in master classes for Mary Bisson, Richard Todd, Alan Spanjer, and Barry Tuckwell.

She was a finalist for the Tuckwell Brass Prize at the 2004 Melbourne International Brass Festival and won first prize in the Farkas Solo Competition at the 2005 International Horn Society Symposium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Music-making and teaching has taken Ms. Seay around the globe, with engagements in North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East as well as to her current position at the Qatar Music Academy in Doha, Qatar where she teaches brass lessons, music theory, and wind ensembles.

Education/Qualifications

• Bachelors Horn Performance, University of Oregon, USA
• Masters in Horn Performance, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, USA

Pianist Nayoung Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea and started playing the piano at the age of four. After studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, Oslo Music Academy, she completed her Konzertexamen at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover. 

Since her debut recital at the age of thirteen and as a soloist with the Seoul Symphony Orchestra, she performed with the Euroasian Philharmonic Orchestra, Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Musikkhøgskolens Symfoniorkester Oslo, Librec Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfônica da USP, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at major concert halls throughout the world including Berlin Konzerthaus, Seoul Arts Center, Sejong Art Center, Shanghai Concert Hall, Sala Sao Paolo, Vienna Konzerthaus, Vienna Musikverein and others.

She was prizewinner of national and international competitions such as the International Piano Competition in Senigallia, the Austrian Young Music Competition, the International Grieg Piano Competition Oslo and Epinal in France. Also, as a pianist of Kim Trio which is existing by three sisters won prizes at the International Chamber Music Competitions in Trondheim, Trapani, Verona, European Chamber Music Competition in Karlsruhe, F. Mendelssohn Competition in Berlin and published CD recordings.
As a pedagogue, she was professor at the Music Academy of Suzhou University in China. Now she is teaching at the Qatar Music Academy.  

Education/Qualifications

• University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
• Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover, Hanover, Germany
• Oslo Music Academy, Oslo, Norway

Stefan Robu was born in Romania and started learning to play the violin at the age of 6. In 2011 he finished his Masters Degree in Violin Interpretation and Chamber Music at the University of Arts  George Enescu . Since an early age he was exposed to a rich musical environment through participating in recitals (solo, chamber music). He was selected as the Concertmaster for the   Music School of Arts Stefan Luchian  and University of Arts George Enescu. He was a soloist with the orchestra in the Youth Talent annual concert series. He has had master classes with renowned soloists such as Florin Paul, Alexandru Tomescu and has performed in National violin contests in Botosani winning the 1st place.

At university he studied Chamber Music through learning with the well-known Voces Quartet. He also studied orchestral music attending the Estate Musicale Frentana Orchestra in Italy in 2004. In 2012 he was selected to teach and lead the Second Violin Section for the tour at   Carnegie Hall  in New York, along with other renowned teachers from around the world. 

Having vast experience as an orchestral musician he started collaborating with the   Botosani State Orchestra  at age 16 and was selected during 2011-2013 to be the Concertmaster of  Focsani State Orchestra.  He has toured extensively as an orchestral member throughout Italy, Spain, Germany and China.

Stefan started his teaching experience in Italy and continued in Thailand at the Silpakorn University of Music, Bangkok and Limai Music School China, Beijing (2014-2015). He is an energetic, confident and dynamic teacher who is committed to delivering a creative and fun style of violin learning, making use of his diverse work experience and love for violin and music.

Education/Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Violin Interpretation and Chamber Music at the University of Arts George Enescu

Born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Saltanat Bazarbayeva is a dedicated and passionate piano educator with over 12 years of teaching experience. She specializes in developing and implementing comprehensive curricula tailored to the individual needs of her students, accommodating all skill levels. Saltanat’s mission is to inspire and guide students through their musical journey, fostering both technical growth and a lifelong appreciation for music.
 
Saltanat’s teaching career has taken her from Kazakhstan to Qatar, where she continues to shape and influence the next generation of young musicians. Her experience spans reputable institutions, including the Kazakh National Conservatory, Yamaha Music School in Doha, and Qatar Music Academy, where she currently teaches the piano performance and musicianship. Her fluency in English, Russian, and Kazakh, along with her basic knowledge of Arabic, enables her to connect with students from diverse backgrounds. 

Education/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from Kazakh National Conservatory (Internationally verified by WES Canada)
• Certified Yamaha Piano Teacher & Examiner
• Expertise in ABRSM examination preparation
• Further training in educational psychology for gifted children
• Jury Chairman of regional competition "Gifted Children – Future of Kazakhstan"
• Certified and recognized for methodological contributions, including piano workshop organization and curriculum development.
   

Vladana Janićijević Ebilji is a pianist and dedicated educator with over twenty years of experience. She graduated from the Piano Department of the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, Serbia, with top academic honors. Vladana was selected for accelerated university placement by Professor Živković, a distinguished Serbian university professor and direct student of Professor Timakin, embracing the Russian piano school tradition and developing a thoughtful pedagogical philosophy under his mentorship.

Her teaching experience ranges across private piano studios and school settings in various cultural and international environments, such as Serbia, Singapore and Doha. Vladana’s students consistently achieve high results in ABRSM and other recognized piano examinations and have earned awards in national and international competitions.

Highlights & Achievements 

• Prize-winning participation in notable youth piano competitions, including the two-round Peter Toperczer International Piano Competition (Košice, Slovakia), the International Piano Competition “Nikolai Rubinstein” (Paris, France), and the Serbian National Competition of Music and Ballet Schools (Belgrade, Serbia).
• Recipient of the Serbian Government Scholarship for the Development of Scientific and Artistic Youth throughout primary, secondary, and higher education, a distinction awarded to a select few top-performing students nationwide.
• Students’ achievements include numerous awards and recognitions at both national and international competitions, such as the two-round Peter Toperczer International Piano Competition, the Serbian National Competition for Music and Ballet Schools, and the International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Šabac (Serbia). Under her guidance, students have also achieved Distinction grades up to Grade 8 in the ABRSM piano examinations at Qatar Music Academy.
• Continuous professional growth through masterclasses with prominent pianists such as Paul Gulda, Sergei Dorensky, and Adam Gyorgy, complemented by regular refinement of pedagogy, care for student well-being, and commitment to inclusivity.

Education and qualifications 

BA / Graduated Professional Pianist Diploma, Faculty of Music, Belgrade, Serbia — Comprehensive university program in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, providing extensive training in both piano concert performance and teaching.