Viliana Palieva

Viliana Palieva is an internationally acclaimed violinist, concertmaster, and dedicated pedagogue with an extensive career spanning Europe and the Middle East.

Her musical journey began at the National Music School “Luybomir Pipkov” in Sofia, where she studied from 2000 to 2012. She continued her artistic development at the University of the Arts Essen in Germany (2012–2019), and later completed further academic work at New Bulgarian University (2019–2024).

From an early age, Viliana established herself as one of Bulgaria’s most distinguished young violinists. Between 2003 and 2011 she won numerous first prizes, special prizes, and scholarships at prestigious national and international competitions, including “Young Virtuosos” in Sofia, the International Competition for German and Austrian Music “Magic,” the National Competition “Orpheus Gift,” and the International Violin Competition “Prof. Nedyalka Simeonova.” Her chamber music achievements were equally distinguished, earning top prizes and special recognition.

Her artistry has been shaped through masterclasses with some of the world’s most respected musicians, including Vesko Eschkenazy, Prof. Kevork Mardirosiyan, Dina Schneiderman, Emil Kamilarov, Prof. Mincho Minchev, Prof. Micho Dimitrov, Robert Chen, Midori, and Moni Simeonov.

Orchestral Career

Viliana’s orchestral experience is both extensive and distinguished. From 2009 to 2012 she served as Concertmaster of the Young Philharmonic Sofia and performed with the New Symphonic Orchestra and Radio Orchestra “Classic FM.” She also worked as Assistant at Sofia Opera and Ballet.

In Germany, she was Assistant Concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra in Essen (2013–2015) and later became a leading member of the Classical Philharmonic Bonn (2014–2022), serving as Second Concertmaster from 2017 to 2022. During this period, she also performed with the French Chamber Philharmonic in Cologne and the Cologne Academy. Since 2022, she has been First Substitute in the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

Solo Career

Since 2008, Viliana has appeared as a soloist with many of Bulgaria’s leading orchestras, including the New Symphonic Orchestra, Plovdiv Philharmonic, Vidin Philharmonic, Vratsa Philharmonic, Gabrovo Chamber Orchestra, Simphonieta Sofia, and the Blagoevgrad Orchestra.

In 2015, she performed as a soloist alongside Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Vesko Eschkenazy in Amsterdam.

In 2018, she completed a remarkable series of 12 solo concerts with the Classical Philharmonie Bonn in some of Germany’s most prestigious concert halls, including Konzerthaus Berlin, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, Herkulessaal Munich, Meistersingerhalle Nürnberg, Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovenhalle Bonn, and Die Glocke Bremen, among others.

Between 2019 and 2021, she continued her solo collaborations with the Classical Philharmonic Bonn and the French Chamber Philharmonic, further establishing her international presence.

Teaching and Pedagogy

Alongside her performing career, Viliana is a passionate educator. She has taught in Germany at Katholische Grundschule Dionysius (Essen), Music School Rhein-Ruhr (Essen-Bochum), Music School Martens (Cologne), and Music School Kick-Off (Cologne/Hürth).

She has given masterclasses at the National Music School “L. Pipkov” in Sofia and at the Cologne Academy, working with advanced students and young professionals.

Most recently, she has been teaching in Qatar, contributing to the development of young musicians at ISL Qatar and King’s College.