The Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts Prof. Asen Diamandiev (AMTII) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is a state-funded higher education institution specializing in music, dance, and visual arts. Founded in 1964, it is the most reputed arts academy in Bulgaria outside the capital, Sofia. The academy is a member of the Association Europeenne des Conservatoires and trains students across four faculties.
Programs and Curriculum
The academy organizes its education across four academic units:
- Faculty of Musical Pedagogy: Departments of Music Pedagogy and Conducting, Theory and History of Music, Piano and Accordion, and Orchestra Instruments and Classical Singing
- Faculty of Musical Folklore and Choreography: Departments of Music Folklore and Choreography
- Faculty of Fine Arts: Departments of Fine Arts and Applied Arts
- Department of Language and Professional Education: Language training and specialized courses
Students can pursue bachelor's and master's degrees in classical performance, composition, conducting, music pedagogy, music folklore, choreography, and fine arts. The curriculum combines individual instrumental instruction, ensemble participation, theory courses, and Bulgarian folk music traditions that are unique to the region.
Campus and Facilities
The academy is located in Plovdiv, a city designated as a European Capital of Culture. Facilities include practice rooms, a recording studio, a library with specialized music collections, an academic affairs department, and a career center. The campus also houses a publishing unit and a technology transfer office.
Plovdiv itself offers a rich cultural environment with ancient Roman amphitheaters that host regular concerts, an active folk music scene, and proximity to Bulgarian folk music traditions that date back centuries.
Admissions and Tuition
Admission requires an entrance examination in the applicant's primary instrument or discipline, plus a theory exam. Bulgarian and EU students pay low tuition fees typical of state-funded Bulgarian universities. International students from outside the EU pay higher rates but still significantly less than Western European or American institutions.
The academy accepts applications through its official website. Prospective students can contact the international relations office at irc@artacademyplovdiv.com for application details and equivalency requirements for foreign qualifications.
Industry Connections and Career Paths
Graduates work as professional musicians, music teachers, conductors, composers, choreographers, and visual artists across Bulgaria and Europe. The academy's AEC membership facilitates student and faculty exchanges with conservatories across the European Union. The recording studio on campus allows students to build production portfolios before graduation.
Bulgarian folk music specialists from the academy have contributed to ethnomusicological research and performed at folk festivals throughout the Balkans. Classical graduates have secured positions in Bulgarian national orchestras and opera houses.
Why It Matters for Aspiring Musicians
This academy is a strong option for students seeking rigorous classical or folk music training at a fraction of the cost of Western European conservatories. The emphasis on Bulgarian folk music traditions offers something that few other institutions provide. If you are interested in ethnomusicology, Balkan music, or affordable European music education, AMTII deserves serious consideration.
Notable Alumni
AMTII has produced musicians, conductors, composers, and performers who have built international careers. Notable graduates include:
- Krassimira Stoyanova: Soprano. Graduated with degrees in violin, voice, and music pedagogy. Has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Salzburg Festival. Named Doctor Honoris Causa of AMTII in 2015. She performs Verdi's "Ritorna vincitor" from Aida at the Semperoper Dresden in 2022:
- Theodosii Spassov: Kaval player and composer. Trained at the Kotel Music School and AMTII. Developed a style combining Bulgarian folk music with jazz, fusion, and classical music. Has performed worldwide. Here he performs a kaval solo with the Tavitjan Brothers in Skopje:
- Plamen Dimov: Musician and teacher. Studied Music Education at AMTII. Settled in Finland in 1986 and discovered the band Nightwish, teaching all founding members including singer Tarja Turunen. Has formed and instructed more than 80 bands. (Wikipedia)
- Kiril Lambov: Composer, pianist, and conductor. Graduated from AMTII in Conducting (1995). Authored over 1,000 arrangements and 80 works including an opera and a ballet. Conducted the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra and Opera Plovdiv. (Wikipedia)
- Georgi Petkov: Composer, conductor, and pedagogue. Graduated from AMTII. Won the Latin Grammy in 2018 as composer, arranger, and discographer of the album "Al este del cante." Has conducted over 1,000 concerts and composed over 400 works. (Union of Bulgarian Composers)
- Rositsa Boyadzhieva-Valeva: Flutist and musicologist. Earned her Master's degree from AMTII in the class of Emanuil Didov. Principal flutist of Sinfonietta dell'Arte, Austria. Defended a doctorate in musicology. Conductor of the Vasil Abrashev brass band in Targovishte since 2020. (Chernomorski Zvutsi)
- Nadya Toncheva: Jazz and pop singer, pianist, and arranger. Studied piano at AMTII (1982). Vocalist in the first Bulgarian a cappella jazz ensemble "Trayana," which blended Bulgarian folklore with jazz. (Official site)
- Svetlozar Yankov: Scenographer. Graduated from AMTII in 2011 with a major in Scenography. Collaborates with Bulgarian artist Stanislav Trifanov-Nasimo on international projects. (Visionary Foundation)
Program Basics
Audition requirements: Admission requires a competitive entrance examination in the applicant's primary instrument or discipline, plus a theory exam. Exams for the 2026/2027 academic year are scheduled for September 10, 2026. The academy offers year-round preparatory courses and consultations for prospective students during spring break and 20 days before the entrance exams.
Degree programs offered:
- Bachelor's degrees (4 years full-time): Music Pedagogy, Performing Art (classical instruments, classical singing, folk instruments, pop and jazz), Conducting, Bulgarian Folk Choreography, Ballet Art, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Photography, Scenography, Clothing Design, Sculpture, Multimedia and Virtual Reality, Sound Engineering, Art Management
- Master's degrees (1 to 2.5 years): Specializations across all faculty areas
- Doctorate programs: Available in music and arts disciplines
Tuition range: AMTII is a state-funded institution. Bulgarian and EU students pay low tuition fees regulated by Bulgarian law (Article 95 of the Higher Education Act). International students from outside the EU pay higher rates but still significantly less than Western European or American institutions. Specific fees for 2026/2027 are published on the academy's tuition page.
Application process:
- Choose your specialization and review requirements on the admissions page
- Prepare scanned documents: secondary education diploma, professional qualification certificate (if applicable), and application form
- Submit documents by email to amtii.ksk@artacademyplovdiv.com within the announced deadlines
- Take the competitive entrance examinations on September 10, 2026
- Non-EU applicants may apply by documents with a verification exam
- Contact the international relations office at irc@artacademyplovdiv.com for equivalency requirements
Before applying, research visa requirements for Bulgaria and confirm that your previous qualifications meet EU equivalency standards. Students looking for financial support should browse our music scholarships directory for opportunities in Europe. You can also explore our music schools directory to compare AMTII with other European institutions, or use our tour revenue calculator to plan performance income alongside your studies.
Official School Video
The Academic Folk Choir, composed of AMTII graduates, performs Bulgarian folk choral music at the Small Basilica of Philippopolis in Plovdiv. This ensemble represents the folk music tradition that distinguishes AMTII from other European conservatories:
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