Yana Krasteva: Expressing the Soul of Music Through the Keys
- WOMCO
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
Yana Krasteva was a Platinum Prize & Exceptional Technique Special Award Winner in the Youth (Age 11-13) Category, at the 2025 Season 1 Francesca Lebrun International Music Competition
Biography
Yana Krasteva has been playing the piano since she was five years old. She is currently a 7th grade student at the National School of Music "L. Pipkov" in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she studies under the guidance of Lyubov Shisheva. Yana has honed her skills through master classes with esteemed musicians such as Prof. Dr. Borislava Taneva, Prof. Liliya Boyadzhieva, Ivan Dochev, Emil Naumov, Plamena Mangova, and Rada Chomakova.
Her dedication and talent have earned her numerous awards at both national and international competitions. Some of her notable achievements include:
2021:
Second place at the National Competition “Road to Glory” by Art Center Karnolsky in the 2nd age group for instrumentalists.
Third place at the International Music Competition “Musica Coritiensis” in category B, piano.
Second place at the National Competition “Orfeeva Darba” in the 2nd age group for piano.
Third place at the International Music Competition “Colours of Music” in the primary age group.
2022:
First place at the Memorial Sanja Pavlovic competition in the first category.
First place at the Solinaria Youth Festival in category B3.
First place at the Great Piano Masters competition in category B.
First place at the Art, Talents, Sea competition in the second category.
2023:
First place at the 16th International Competition of Young Pianists – Nis in the second category.
First place at the Music of Europe National Competition for young instrumentalists in Burgas in the second category.
First place at the XVII International Young Classical Musical Instrument Performers Competition in the third category.
2024:
First place at the 3rd Golden Piano Talents Competition in the second category.
First place at the Gold International Classical Music Competition in the fourth category.
2025:
First place at the Colors of Chopin Competition in junior category.
First place at the Global Young Musicians Competition in category D.
First place at the Le Brun Competition in Youth category.
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
My name is Yana Krasteva and I’m a 13-year-old student from the National School of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria. My father is a musician, and he showed me the beauty and the variety of music. He is the person who inspired me to start playing the piano when I was a young kid. When I was 5 years old my best friend was already a student at the Musical School, and I felt that I too want the music to be part of my life. My parents signed me to piano lessons even though my first piano teacher told them that I’m too young. A year later I was already a student in the Musical School and started living my dream.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
When I study one piece, I focus all my attention on it. I want to immerse in its atmosphere because every piece is different in its own way. I want to understand and feel the emotion that the composer has embedded in it. After that with the help of my teacher Liubov Shisheva we work on the details (dynamics, technique, pace, etc.) of the piece to improve it in the best possible way. The real challenge is then to combine emotional expression with technical mastery while playing the piece.
What do you believe defines a great Pianist, and how do you incorporate your unique style into your music?
I think that the great pianist is one who can influence people with the beauty of the piano in a very emotional way. For me this means to convey the emotion of the piece and to reveal its message. That is exactly my style. One of my favorite very emotional musician and pianist is Jordan Rudess who is part of the American rock band Dream Theatre. His work is very inspirational for me along with the classic composers such as Beethoven and Chopin.
Can you recall a memorable moment from your career that had a significant impact on you?
One of the most important moments in my career so far is participation in the Competition for Young pianists of the Nis Musical School in Serbia. I played Ludvig van Beethoven’s Rondo Rage Over a Lost Penny as part of my competition repertoire and won first place. The feeling was incredible, and I won't forget it because this moment became very special for me. Another very important moment for me was when I was orchestra soloist of the National Academy of Music orchestra in Bulgaria. I played Josef Haydn Concert in D major.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank (such as mentors, supporters or other team members)?
Participating in Lebrun Competition was an amazing experience and opportunity and I’m thankful for this chance and the awards I have received. I would like to thank the whole team involved in the organization of the competition for creating this platform for musicians around the world. I am very grateful and want to also thank my teacher, Liubov Shisheva, for believing in me, her patience and understanding. She knows that new challenges motivate me and is constantly pushing me beyond my comfort zone. Without her help and efforts, I wouldn't be what I am now. And of course, I want to thank with all my heart my family for their great love and support.