EDUCATION:

M. M., Piano Performance, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 1999
B.A., Piano and Music Theory, State Academy of Music, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1994

HONORS AND AWARDS:

• Three Sponsors' Prize - Tokyo International Duo Piano Competition, Tokyo, Japan, 2003
• Distinguished Musician Diploma - Ibla Grand Prize Music Competition, Ibla, Italy, 2003
• Finalist - Brevard Music Festival Solo Concerto Competition, Brevard, NC, 1998
• Silver Graduation Medal - Sofia High School of Music, 1988

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Katie Gueorguieva-Ledford started learning the piano at the age of five. She majored in Piano under prof. Tihomira Bachvarova, a graduate of Moscow Conservatory of Music. In 1997 she was admitted to the Graduate Piano Performance Program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she received the Liberace Foundation Scholarship. There she studied with prof. Mack McCray, a Julliard School of Music graduate, and an acclaimed concert pianist. She has also participated in several music festivals, including the Brevard Music Festival in Brevard, NC, in 1997 and 1998, and the Alfred Cortot School of Music Seminar in Paris, France, in 2002. She has played in master classes for distinguished pianists as John Perry, Michael Kim, and Andre Watts.

An active piano performer ever since her debut recital in Sofia at the age of eleven, Katie has appeared in solo piano and chamber music recitals and concerts in Bulgaria, France, Italy, Germany, USA, Bahrain, Japan, and Indonesia. Currently she resides in Campbell with her husband, Ken, and takes an active part in the concert life of the Bay Area. Information about her performances can be found on www.vedapianoduo.com

Katie has been teaching piano in the Bay Area since 1998, and has been a member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California since 2002. First and foremost, her goal is to teach her students the enjoyment of music! Her teaching methods are tailored to each individual student, child or adult, to make sure that they are enjoying the time they spend to make music. At the same time she aims at the development of their specific musical talents, fulfillment of their artistic goals, and expanding of their musical culture. Katie also incorporates music theory in the lessons to ensure in-depth understanding of the musical material. She encourages her most committed students to take the yearly exams of the Certificate of Merit Evaluation Program.

Katie is committed to excellence in both piano technique and artistic interpretation. She brings to students of all ages the benefits of her training and experience, as well as deep love for the piano.