Dr. Vanguel Tangarov is an Associate Professor of Clarinet at Texas State University and an Artistic Director and founder of the annual international clarinet event Texas State Clarinet Fiesta. Vanguel Tangarov performs as a Principal Clarinetist for the Austin Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Victoria Symphony Orchestras.

Tangarov previously served as Principal Clarinet of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgaria (1993-1998), Academia Chigiana Symphony Orchestra, Italy (1993-1997), Jeunesses Musicales World Symphony Orchestra, Germany (1993-1994), and the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in Mexico (1998-2004). He has appeared as a soloist with the Györ Symphony, Hungary, Mid-Texas Symphony in USA, the Plovdiv Philharmonic, the Rousse Philharmonic, the Varna Philharmonic and the Sofia Philharmonic orchestras in Bulgaria, the Constanta Philharmonic in Romania, the Monterrey Symphony (OSUANL) and Monterrey Chamber Orchestra in Mexico, presenting music by Mozart, Weber, Copland, Jean Françaix, Cimarosa, Giampieri, Bernstein, Pipkov, and Artie Shaw.

Vanguel Tangarov has performed in more than 20 countries on four continents, winning a positive critical acclaim. Equally popular as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, he has performed in important venues worldwide, such as Berliner Filharmoniker Hall (Berlin), Gewandhaus (Leipzig), Schauspielhaus (Berlin), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Oslo Konserthaus (Norway), Cadogan Hall (London), Symphony Hall Birmingham (UK), Boston Symphony Hall (USA), Bulgaria Hall (Sofia), and Zaragoza Hall (Spain), to name a few.

Tangarov studied clarinet with Dimitar Boyanov at the Dobrin Petkov Music High School for gifted students in his native country. He continued his education at the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov,” in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he received a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in clarinet performance under the direction of renowned pedagogue and concert artist, Petko Radev, a former principal clarinet of Teatro Alla Scala, Milan, Italy.

Tangarov received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin under the direction of Richard MacDowell. He has also received instruction from musicians such as Aurelian Octav Popa, Rumania, and Gerald Pahinger, Principal Clarinetist of Vienna Symphony.

Tangarov’s solo appearances include recitals at the 2018/2022 Neo-Path International Festival; the 2022/2023 VIMA Grand Strand Music Festival at Myrtle Beach, SC; the 10th Anniversary Season Bulgarian Concert Evenings at New York, 2015, a solo recital at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington DC; many performances at the 2023,

2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2010 International Clarinet Fests in Denver CO, Reno NV, Knoxville TN, Ostende, Belgium; Orlando FL, Lawrence, KS, Baton Rouge, LA, and Austin, TX, as well as a performance at the opening ceremony of the 2014 International Plovdiv Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria. He can be heard as a principal clarinetist on a Naxos Label recording titled Circus Maximus by John Corigliano with The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble, Harmonia Mundi Label, Samuel Barber: An American Romantic, Conspirare, Craig Hella Jonson and The Company of Voices, Harmonia Mundi Label, 2017 GRAMMY Nominated, Craig Hella Johnson: “Considering Matthew Shepard”, as well as the soundtrack for the movie Knight of Cups, directed by Terrence Malik, in addition to being on more than 10 other recordings.

Tangarov has been recognized and awarded numerous prizes in both national and international clarinet competitions including: Prague Spring International Competition, 1996, 6th place overall, United Nations International Clarinet Competition, Portugal, 1994, 4th place overall, First International Clarinet Competition, Romania, 1993, 2nd prize, “The Music and the Earth” International Chamber Music Competition, Bulgaria, 1993, 3rd prize, Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition for French Music, Bulgaria, 1997, 1st prize, Brahms Academy Competition for Chamber Music, Bulgaria, 1993, 2nd prize; Bulgarian National Radio-Mozart Chamber Music Competition, 1991, clarinet quintet, 1st prize, and Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition, Bulgaria, 1990, 1st prize.

Vanguel Tangarov is a Buffet Crampon & Vandoren Performing Artist and Clinician and performs exclusively with Buffet Crampon, Paris clarinets and Vandoren Paris products

Pianist Ekaterina Tangarova has performed with a wide range of musicians, including Stanley Drucker, Petko Radev, Vanguel Tangarov, Philippe Cuper, Andrew Marriner, Pedro Diaz, Paolo Beltramini, David Gould, Andre Moisan, Boris Allskhverdyan, Stoyka Milanova, to name a few. Her recent appearances include chamber music recitals at the ICA ClarinetFests, Varna International Music Festival in South Carolina, the Neo-Path International Chamber Music Festival in Kovatchevitsa, Bulgaria, the Balabanov’s House Music Days International Festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and the Victoria Bach Festival in Texas. She has performed in venues including New England Conservatory, Northwestern University, University of Texas at Austin, Boston Conservatory, University of Tennessee, Bulgaria Hall, Texas State University and Teatro de la Ciudad MTY to name a few.

Ekaterina Tangarova’s piano collaborative artist positions include Texas State University, University of Texas at Austin, the Superior School of Music and Dance in Monterrey, the University of Monterrey, and Liceo de Monterrey in Mexico.

Mrs.Tangarova is the 1st Prize Winner of the 1997 National Academy of Music Sofia, Bulgaria Concerto Competition. She won 2nd Prize at the1996 “Pancho Vladiquerov” International Piano Competition in Shoumen, Bulgaria. EkaterinaTangarova holds a Diploma and a 4th Prize Award from the “Liszt-Bartok” Piano Competition under the patronage of the Hungarian Ambassador in Sofia, and she is the 1st Prize Winner of the 1991 National Piano Duet Competition in Bulgaria. She holds master’s degree in piano performance from the National Academy of Music “Prof. PanchoVladiguerov”, Sofia, Bulgaria, where studied under the direction of Prof. Anton Dikov.

An internationaly acclaimed chamber musician and collaborative artist, Tangarova is also a founder of a vibrant Piano Studio in Cedar Park, TX, where she enjoys teaching a wide variety of students in ages and levels.

Since 2016 to date Ekaterina Tangarova is a resident pianist for the International Clarinet Association (ICA).

Violinist Miroslav Hristov was hailed by Fanfare Magazine for his “razor sharp technique” and a “full palette of tonal colors.” He presents master classes and performs extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has performed in several international festivals and concert series, including the Musical Treasures series in Carnegie Hall, the Interharmony International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy, the Sofia Music Weeks International Festival, the Balabanov House Music Days, the Big Arts Concert Series in Florida, and the Fredell Lack Series in Houston, Texas. Recent performances include solo and chamber performances in the national recital halls of Taiwan and Singapore. Hristov was First Prize winner of the Dobrin Petkov International Violin Competition and a prize winner for the MTNA Collegiate String Performance Competition.

Hristov has recorded for Centaur Records, Romeo Records, Blue Griffin Records, the Divine Arts Record label, Bulgarian National Radio and WUOT Knoxville. His recordings have been broadcast on NPR stations across the country. As part of the internationally-acclaimed Kaleidos Duo with pianist, Vladimir Valjarevic, Dr. Hristov’s recordings and performances have received rave reviews from The Strad Magazine, Fanfare, DUMA (Sofia, Bulgaria), and Lucid Culture (New York).

Hristov has presented his research on Eastern European pedagogical methods for violin at conferences around the world, including the International College Music Society Conference, the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the Music Teachers National Association Conference. A dedicated teacher, his students have won numerous competitions, and many hold prestigious scholarships and professional appointments. Recent teaching awards include the 2014 Tennessee Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year, the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts Outstanding Teacher Award, and the University of Tennessee School of Music’s Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award.

Miroslav Hristov is also Founder and Director of the University of Tennessee’s Ready for the World Music Series, which brings renowned artists to perform and talk about musical styles and literature from diverse regions around the world, emphasizing each region’s contribution to western classical music.