Nikolay Blagov joined the Orlando Philharmonic as acting second clarinet in the fall of 2006 and became the orchestra's Principal Clarinet in 2008. Nikolay was born in Bulgaria and began his musical studies at the age of six. By 1994, Nikolay had already won five national competitions and was awarded third prize at the International Clarinet Competition in Lisbon, Portugal. In 1999, Nikolay auditioned and received a full scholarship to continue his studies in clarinet orchestral performance at the Duquesne University School of Music, where he studied with Ron Samuels, second clarinet of the Pittsburgh Symphony. In 2001, he was accepted into the clarinet studio of Michael Rusinek, principal clarinet of the Pittsburgh Symphony at Carnegie Mellon University School of Music. Nikolay participated in the National Repertory Orchestra in the summer of 2003, and later auditioned and was invited to participate in the Orchestra of the Nations as principal clarinet. He performed with them again in 2007. Nikolay was active in Pittsburgh's local music community as a permanent substitute with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. In 2005, Nikolay joined the Pittsburgh Live Chamber Orchestra as principal clarinet and remained in that capacity until relocating to Orlando.