The Sofia Women’s International Choir was founded in 2010 as an opportunity for non-Bulgarianspeaking ladies to share their love of choral singing. Ove rthe years, the participants represented more than 17 different countries, the unifying language is English. The choir is chamber, the singers varies every year, due to the ir mobility,with a large concert portfolio.
The choir’s concert performances include participation in charity events of the American, English, German and other embassies, in the charity bazaars of the IWC (International Women’s Club), concert sin the Catholic Cathedral in Sofia, in the Anglican Church in the capital, in the Anglo-American School in Pancharevo, at the American Corner Library, at the cultural center of Krasno Selo, The German Bazaar and at many other events and forums. The repertoire is diverse – from gospel, musicals, madrigals, baroque music to international folklore and contemporary authors. Founder, conductor and artistic director is Daniela Jelyazkova.
Daniela Zhelyazkova graduated from the State Music Academy with a major in choral conducting. Since 1995, he has been based in Toronto, Canada, where in 2000 he got acquainted with the Orff method and specialized at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto.
As a zealous supporter of the Orff-Schulwerk method, Daniela has repeatedly helped to create the “Orff” program in various institutions and schools, both in Canada and in Sofia, where she has lived since 2007.
He is currently an active member of the Bulgarian Orff Association and gives training seminars for students and teachers around the country and at professional forums.
In her professional biography, Daniela has taught music at the French Lyceum “Victor Hugo”, Sofia, the French kindergarten “The Little Prince” in Dragalevtsi, at the “Pancho Vladigerov” museum-house, Sofia, the Orff program at the English school “Helen Doron”, etc. .
He is currently the musical director and leader of the children’s vocal group “Smurfs” in Sofia, conductor of a women’s chamber choir, teaches piano and vocal technique in his studio in Borovo district. Daniela is a vocal pedagogue and head of the music program at the “Vseznaiko” children’s educational center in Sofia. For 8 years, Orf Schulwerk has been leading music classes at the Montessori Children’s House, Sofia. Daniela has recorded two CDs as a pianist, the last of which was released in 2019. As a teacher trainer of the Orff Schulwerk system, she has been conducting seminars around the country since 2014 and is a lecturer at the Ministry of Music.