Deya Deynova (b. 1970), began her cello studies at the age of 10, in her hometown of Vratza, Bulgaria, with Bozhidar Mihailov. She is a Second Prize winner of the Bulgarian National Music Competition "Svetoslav Obretenov" (1982), a First Prize gold medal winner at the International Music Competition “Katya Popova,” (1984) a Third Prize winner of the Czech International Cello Competition "Heran" (1984), and Beethoven Club Cello Competition in Memphis, Tennessee, (1993). Deynova has participated in many cello master classes, and while attending one with the worldfamous Prof. Janoš Starker, she was invited to study with him in Indiana University, Bloomington, USA. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music in cello, she continued her cello studies with Felise Farrell in the University of Central Arkansas, graduating in 1995 with a Masters of Music. She has also studied with Denise Parker in Louisiana State University, with Ross Harbaugh in University of Miami, and with Andres Dias in Boston University. She has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras and festivals in Europe and the United States.
