Their lives were enriched by rising to perform at previously-unattainable levels…

Dale Morehouse, Musical Administrator


Invest in the Future of Classical Musicians!


Varna International Music Academy (VIMA), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Columbia, SC, specializes in classical concerts and international music academies bringing 25 years of experience producing choral-orchestral concerts & fully staged operas in over 30 countries. Co-founding directors, Kalin & Sharon Tchonev believe music has an important role in making the world a more intimate, unified, and loving place.

Since its inception in 1999, VIMA's goal has been to ensure that aspiring & professional musicians have the opportunity to hone their craft through expert training & unparalleled performance opportunities in global venues.

VIMA allows aspiring musicians to work with professional artists from the Metropolitan Opera, prestigious orchestras, & faculty from renowned educational institutions.

In the Summer of 2022, VIMA launched the Muzika! Festival & brought the music academy with fully staged productions to South Carolina. The festival has been held in South Carolina each summer since and now includes over 25 performances throughout the state including fully staged operas, oratorio performances, musicals, Broadway Revues, voice recitals, & a Master Artists Concert Series featuring internationally recognized artists from The Metropolitan Opera and other prestigious organizations nationwide.

Muzika! is expected to draw large audiences to South Carolina, enriching local culture & positively impacting the community. The organizers anticipate it will become a focal point in South Carolina, further establishing the state as a place of prominence in the area of art and culture. Varna International needs help to accomplish this.

Play a role in aiding this high-profile event by making a donation, becoming a sponsor, purchase tickets, becoming a season ticket holder, and/or becoming an ambassador for Varna International & Muzika! Festival.

*VIMA is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible, as allowed by law.



 Support the Power of Music

Take part in this tremendous undertaking of bringing to South Carolina an annual, month-long, classical music festival of over 25 large-scale performances, featuring world-renowned master artists and talented student artists. This music festival promises to draw thousands to the area by bringing to South Carolina internationally recognized musicians from The Metropolitan Opera and other prestigious organizations, who will showcase their talent alongside local artists and young and aspiring musicians from throughout the nation.

In addition, special workshops will be offered gratis to local music teachers, and to middle and high school students with the purpose to invest in and encourage local talent. We invite you to be part of this phenomenal opportunity, to create a tremendous platform for networking, discovering and fostering young talent.

Sponsorship Benefits include:
Recognition on local television and radio stations
Color ad in the Festival Concert Booklet
VIP seats in the Festival Concerts
Invites to the VIP Receptions
Logo Inclusion on Festival Publicity Materials
Media Press Release, Print Advertising
Sponsor Recognition in PR, Social & Digital Promotions
Tax deductible contribution


This is an opportunity to advertise your organization in "Muzika! The Grand Music Festival" Program Booklet. It presents a unique opportunity to feature your business in this world-class event and provides a format for advertising that highlights your support for education and the arts. Wide circulation of the program booklet is guaranteed in each of the month-long, large-scale concerts throughout South Carolina and in Augusta, GA.


Ambassador Program

Donate Your Time!

Are you passionate about the classical arts and have time to give? Varna International's Ambassador Program is a team of dedicated volunteers who support our endeavors with their investment of time and energy. We couldn't do what we do without them!

Learn more about our Ambassador Program

Highlights

Varna International Music Academy and Muzika! The Grand Music Festival will bring to South Carolina over 100 renowned artists from the most prestigious artistic organizations throughout the USA. In addition, this unique event will draw over 200 young and aspiring musicians for month-long exceptional music training and unparalleled performance opportunities. With over 30 concerts from June 14 – July 16, 2023, this event will showcase our master artists and talented musicians in fully-staged operas, choral-orchestral performances, Music Theater Revue, chamber music series, and solo recitals.

A very special focal point will be the Master Artists Concert Series, featuring internationally recognized artists from The Metropolitan Opera and other prestigious organizations.

Muzika! The Grand Music Festival is expected to draw large audiences to the area, enriching local culture and positively impacting the community.

We invite you to partner with us in this exciting endeavor. Together we can launch an annual large-scale, world-class International Music Festival for the community.

Together We Grow!

Sponsors and Collaborators

Sharing the Legacy
VARNA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY and MUZIKA!




2022 Violins of Hope South Carolina



Participants Say

Testimonials
“Truly extraordinary … remarkable ...very well performed”

The Opera Academy was truly extraordinary. For the program to present three fully staged operas with orchestra, and a masterworks concert in only four weeks is remarkable. The productions were all very well performed, costumed, directed, sung, conducted, and the sets were great.

Lydia Bechtel

opera singer (Soprano)
“I gained experience”

I got to sing two full operatic roles at an opera house with their full-time orchestra, chorus, director, conductor, props, costumes, sets, make-up artists and wonderful teachers/coaches. I gained experience as if I had a fest contract in an opera house!

Evan Dunn

opera singer (Bass)
“Second to none”

The amount of podium time afforded to each Conducting Fellow and Associate is second to none, and the benefits were immediate. Not only was my technique refined under the excellent tutelage of Larry Wyatt and Dian Tchobanov, but remarkable professional opportunities emerged upon my return home.

Randall Speer, D.M.A.

Professor of Music, Randolph College