Born in Varna, Bulgaria, our CEO, Kalin Tchonev, studied piano performance and music theory in high school before obtaining a bachelor's and master's of music at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria, and additional master's degrees in choral conducting and piano performance from the School of Music at the University of South Carolina. In addition to his piano performance and conducting experience, Kalin brings skills in music management, international tours, and festival organization to create phenomenal performance opportunities for musicians the world over.

In 1999, Kalin founded Varna International Music Academy (VIMA)with his father, Prof. Marin Chonev, an accomplished Bulgarian conductor. Together they brought many musicians from the USA to Kalin's hometown: Varna, for Conducting Workshops and large-scale choral-orchestral performances.

Over the years, the company continued to grow and flourish. Today, VIMA is one of few international summer academies offering a comprehensive program combining unparalleled music instruction and fully-staged orchestral productions with costumes and sets. Throughout the program, soloists, choral singers, conductors, and instrumentalists attend a variety of masterclasses and individual coaching while preparing to perform in the fully staged operas and choral-orchestral productions.