Yordan Krastev - Artistic Director and Choreographer

Yordan Krastev is a distinguished graduate of the National School of Dance Art, mentored by Peter Koldamov. He has performed as a soloist in the ballet troupe of the National Opera and Ballet after being engaged for several seasons in the Varna Opera. Continuing his education, Yordan Krastev earned a Bachelor of Ballet Pedagogics and a Master of Ballet Stage Direction.

His performances were among the most striking of the Sofia National Opera and Ballet. He notably embodied the roles of Drosselmeyer in "The Nutcracker", Fairy Karabos in "The Sleeping Beauty", Mamma Simone in "The Badly Guarded Girl", Rotbart in "Swan Lake", and Espada in "Don Quixote". Yordan Krastev has enjoyed great success in guest performances in Europe, South America, the UAE, and elsewhere.

Yordan Krastev has also made his mark in contemporary choreography, earning the National Competition "Atanas Petrov" award in 2004. Additionally, Yordan Krastev is a respected teacher at the National School of Dance Art in Sofia.

He has staged several ballets including "Don Quixote", which was performed with great success in UAE and was nominated the best performance of the year. He also staged a new production of "Swan Lake" specifically for Sofia Capital Ballet's tour in South Korea, and in 2014 created a new and unconventional choreography of Saint-Saëns' "Carnival of Animals", which was presented in various cities in Bulgaria.

Additionally, Yordan Krastev staged "Sleeping Beauty" for the tours of SCB in Rome, and also created new productions of "The Nutcracker", "Giselle", and another staging of "Swan Lake" for various Opera houses in Bulgaria and abroad.