Simona Marinova

Simona Marinova is a Bulgarian guitarist, composer and educator. She graduated from the “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National School of Music and Stage Arts in Burgas in 2020, majoring in classical guitar. In 2024, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts – Classical Guitar from the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Prof. Asen Diamandiev” in Plovdiv, where she studied with Prof. Dr Stela Miteva-Dinkova. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in composition in the class of Assoc. Prof. Dr Svetoslav Karagenov.

Marinova is a four-time scholarship recipient of the American Foundation for Bulgaria and has also received a scholarship from Zonta Club Burgas. She won Third Prize at the “Ohrid Te Sakam” competition and First Prize at the Sofia Singer Songwriter Fest for her original composition “Nova i dr.” She has participated in masterclasses with distinguished musicians and educators, as well as in the “Fire of Orpheus” Summer Academy. During her studies in Plovdiv, she was a member of the Academica Guitar Ensemble, performing in Bulgaria and across Europe, including recitals in Paris, Valladolid and Belgrade.

She is one of the founders of Duo Paradox in Burgas, an ensemble with an active concert career and awards from original-music competitions. The duo has appeared on prestigious stages in Bulgaria and abroad, including concerts in Helsinki and Stockholm. In 2022, Marinova presented her song “Neizrechena” on the television programme Bulgaria’s Got Talent, and two of the duo’s compositions were selected as hits of the month in May and December 2025 on the Bulgarian National Television programme NOVO 10+2. In 2024, she presented her contemporary suite for two guitars at her chamber-music graduation recital.

Since 2023, Simona Marinova has taught classical guitar at the “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National School of Music and Stage Arts in Burgas. Her students have received Grand Prix awards, first prizes and numerous distinctions at competitions in Bulgaria and abroad. The guitar ensemble she directs has also been awarded at prestigious forums and performs her arrangements and original works. Under her guidance, young guitarists develop a high level of musicianship, take part in masterclasses with established educators and receive invitations to significant musical events.

In 2025, Marinova received an Honorary Teacher Diploma at the Second National Competition for Young Guitarists “Valentin Valchev” in Plovdiv.