Elena Zlatkova

Violinist Elena Zlatkova is a dynamic performer with an electrifying stage presence that has local and international audiences enthralled by her skill, dexterity and talent. Elena, who holds a degree in Masters in Music with distinction from the State Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria, is equally at home playing Classical violin in a more traditional setting, as she is playing the elctric violin in a contemporary music spectacular.

Since her arrival in South Africa in 2003, Elena has captivated audiences with her many appearances on stage, at corporate events and concerts. This diverse performer had critics and fans raving in the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Barnyard Theatre productions of "Natural Women", "Beethoven Rocks Again" and "Roll over Beethoven."  On the classical front she has enchanted audiences with her solo recitals at the popular "Music in the Gallery" at the Nelson Mandela Square Art Gallery in Johannesburg for the past three years, and at the Kyalami Classics in 2004. Elena is a sought after performer for corporate events and has performed for some of South Africa's most prominent companies such as SAB, Vodacom, Bidvest, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Discovery Health, Toyota, Daimler Chrysler, Sappi, PG Bison, Mnet, Mercedes Benz to name a few.

Hailing from the Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, Elena started playing the violin at the age of five.  At the age of seven she went to the National School of Music "Lyubomir Pipkov" in Sofia, where she studied for 12 years.  She then went on to study at the State Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov" also in Sofia, where she obtained an Honours Degree in Violin and performance. Here she also gained extensive experience as a member of several Bulgarian orchestras which performed at prestigious concerts and festivals throughout Bulgaria, Macedonia, Austria, Greece, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg.

Elena performs regularly with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and the MIAGI Orchestra. In April 2006 she performed with the latter in conjunction with the Kammerphilharmonie, Amade, for the 250th Mozart Celebrations and Ladysmith Black Mambazo's birthday celebrations. She is also a member of the Motswako String Quartet which performs frequently at high profile corporate events such as the UNICEF charity dinner with special guest Quincy Jones (March 2006), South African Government functions, Classic FM soiree and the popular "Symphony on the Square". In September 2004 she performed with the internationally acclaimed "Philharmonia des Nation" (conducted by Justus Frantz) at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg.

Elena performed extensively in Dubai, as member of a classical trio based at Hyatt Regency Hotel as well as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel.  During her stay she was also chosen to perform at the weddings of the Royal Families of the United Arab Emirates and performed at several corporate events for international companies. Elena has also appeared on television on numerous occasions internationally and in South Africa and has gained a wider audience with her appearance on the popular South African soap opera "Egoli", the Afrikaans showcase "Huisegenoot - Skouspel", "Vicious Delicious" and a youth programme, "Craze-E" on E-Tv.

Elena's Electric violin repertoire includes styles such as Hi-Tech, Classical Crossover, Funky House, Irish Fiddle, Kwela, Gypsy jigs, Country Fiddle and Jazz.