Violinist Jassen Todorov named director of SF State School of Music and Dance

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Contact: Matt Itelson, (415) 338-1442, matti@sfsu.edu

Violinist Jassen Todorov named director of SF State School of Music and Dance
Originally from Bulgaria, prized 'player to watch' has taught at SF State since 2003

SAN FRANCISCO, August 20, 2008 -- Celebrated violinist Jassen Todorov was recently named director of the School of Music and Dance at San Francisco State University. He now leads one of the longest-standing and most diverse performing arts programs in Northern California.

"Professor Todorov is more than a prodigious talent in music and teaching. He is also a natural leader," said Kurt Daw, dean of SF State's College of Creative Arts. "He has ambitious goals for the School of Music and Dance, a strong ability to work in teams, and remarkable energy and enthusiasm."

Todorov, 33, joined the SF State faculty in 2003. He has taught courses in violin, strings, chamber music literature and career management in music. He also mentors violin students individually.

"It is an honor to work with such an accomplished, supportive faculty," Todorov said. "We look forward to expanding our outreach in the Bay Area's rich performing arts community, to position the School of Music and Dance as the most attractive academy for new talent on the West Coast."

His accomplishments include winning a 2006 Crystal Lyre Award, the highest honor for achievement in music and dance in his native Bulgaria. At age 26, he became the youngest musician to record all six violin sonatas of Eugene Ysaye, a Belgian composer and violinist known for his difficult compositions and fiery individualism as a player. Todorov has also recorded Brahms' three violin sonatas.

Dubbed "a player to watch" by music journal The Strad in 2001, Todorov has played and taught master classes throughout Europe, Australia, Asia and the U.S. and garnered much acclaim for his intense, original musicianship. He has performed more than 200 solo recitals -- at venues such as Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in New York, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. He earned his master's degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he studied with Oleh Krysa. Visit: www.jassentodorov.com.

The SF State School of Music and Dance, based in the College of Creative Arts, offers professional and liberal arts degrees, with more than 400 students enrolled in major programs. Music students can study jazz, classical, choral, world music, electronic music, composition, music education and more. Dance students are trained in techniques such as ballet, modern, jazz, capoeira, flamenco, kathak, Afro-Haitian and Dunham as well as preparation for K-12 dance education. Alumni include Tony and Grammy winners who conduct Broadway musicals and symphony orchestras and perform in operas. Some work as composers, arrangers, producers, conductors, singers, dancers, choreographers, educators, and leaders of professional arts organizations. The School of Music and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Visit: http://musicdance.sfsu.edu.
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