Zhivko Nikolov was born on November 19, 1988 in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Since his early childhood he has been exposed to rich music environment and influences. Mr. Nikolov started playing classical guitar when he was 11. His interest in the instrument guided the choice to continue his musical education at the “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National School of Music and Fine Arts in Burgas, Bulgaria. During his youth studies he often performed as a soloist and with ensemble on various occasions such as: guitar seminars, festivals, and concerts. The presence of professional musical environment helped him build musicianship skills, scene behavior, and general musical knowledge from a very young age.
Zhivko Nikolov moved permanently to the United States in 2007, and shortly after auditioned and was awarded a talent scholarship to continue his education in the Music Conservatory of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Since then, he had studied under the supervision of the well-known performer and Professor Denis Azabagic.
Zhivko also has had the exceptional chance to meet and perform for several world-known artists such as: Marcin Dylla, Paul Galbraith, Elena Papandreo, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Nicholas Golouses, Mathew Cochran, Eduardo Catemario, Zoran Dukic, Aniello Desiderio, and Berta Rojas. He has appeared on Make Music Chicago’s events as a soloist and a chamber musician, and has been broadcasted on WFMT, Chicago.
Mr. Nikolov participated and won prizes in the following competitions: “Singing Strings” (Gotse Delchev, 2003), The Balkan Classical Guitar Contest (Kyustendil, 2003), “Varban Varbanov Competition” (Burgas, 2004), 2nd prize in Louisville International Solo Competition (Kentucky, 2011) and a finalist in Wilson Guitar Competition (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2014). He was also among the semifinalists in Rosario Guitar Competition (South Carolina), and Indiana International Guitar Competition (Bloomington, Indiana).
Teaching since 2006, Mr. Nikolov served as a guitar faculty at the American Music Institute, St. Nicholas School of Arts, and Little Bulgarian School. He is currently teaching in Gasse School of Music, and he is also Master Guitar Instructor for the program Lead Guitar (University of Arizona, Tucson) where he helps more than 100 students per week in a group setting. Zhivko Nikolov established his own music studio in 2017 under the name of 6VibeZ Music Inc. His students perform on various occasions, participate in concerts, and have won prizes in the following competition: SAM Competition (Chicago), Latin Arts Guitar Competition (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Indiana International Guitar Festival (Bloomington, Indiana).
At present, Mr. Nikolov teaches and performs in the Chicago area both as a soloist and in a duet with the flute and guitar Duo “Eutopia”.
Zhivko Nikolov moved permanently to the United States in 2007, and shortly after auditioned and was awarded a talent scholarship to continue his education in the Music Conservatory of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Since then, he had studied under the supervision of the well-known performer and Professor Denis Azabagic.
Zhivko also has had the exceptional chance to meet and perform for several world-known artists such as: Marcin Dylla, Paul Galbraith, Elena Papandreo, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Nicholas Golouses, Mathew Cochran, Eduardo Catemario, Zoran Dukic, Aniello Desiderio, and Berta Rojas. He has appeared on Make Music Chicago’s events as a soloist and a chamber musician, and has been broadcasted on WFMT, Chicago.
Mr. Nikolov participated and won prizes in the following competitions: “Singing Strings” (Gotse Delchev, 2003), The Balkan Classical Guitar Contest (Kyustendil, 2003), “Varban Varbanov Competition” (Burgas, 2004), 2nd prize in Louisville International Solo Competition (Kentucky, 2011) and a finalist in Wilson Guitar Competition (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2014). He was also among the semifinalists in Rosario Guitar Competition (South Carolina), and Indiana International Guitar Competition (Bloomington, Indiana).
Teaching since 2006, Mr. Nikolov served as a guitar faculty at the American Music Institute, St. Nicholas School of Arts, and Little Bulgarian School. He is currently teaching in Gasse School of Music, and he is also Master Guitar Instructor for the program Lead Guitar (University of Arizona, Tucson) where he helps more than 100 students per week in a group setting. Zhivko Nikolov established his own music studio in 2017 under the name of 6VibeZ Music Inc. His students perform on various occasions, participate in concerts, and have won prizes in the following competition: SAM Competition (Chicago), Latin Arts Guitar Competition (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Indiana International Guitar Festival (Bloomington, Indiana).
At present, Mr. Nikolov teaches and performs in the Chicago area both as a soloist and in a duet with the flute and guitar Duo “Eutopia”.