NOCCA Piano Faculty Named 2018 Steinway & Sons Top Teachers
Jazz Department Chair Michael Pellera & Classical Instrumental Department Hristo Birbochukov Honored
NOCCA is proud to share the news that NOCCA Jazz and Classical Piano Faculty Michael Pellera and Hristo Birbochukov are recipients of the 2018 Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher Award, in recognition for achievements in music education, artistry, and performance. Mr. Pellera and Dr. Birbochukov were nominated for this national award by Hall Piano Company.
Dr. Birbochukov shared, “I am honored to be recognized by Steinway & Sons, a globally recognized musical brand that is an emblem for excellence in piano artistry.” and Mr. Pellera shared, “I am honored that Steinway & Sons would recognized me with this award.”
During the awards presentation at NOCCA’s Ellis Marsalis Jazz Studio, Steinway & Sons | Hall Piano representative Stefan Moll, who is also a NOCCA Jazz Alum, presented the announcement and certificates.
NOCCA Artist-Teachers Credentials
After studying at Berklee College of Music, Michael Pellera has been a jazz educator serving New Orleans since 1989. He taught jazz piano and improvisation for fifteen years at Loyola University before joining NOCCA’s faculty in 2002. In the last 25 years, he has lived in New Orleans and New York, giving his music a unique perspective that draws freely from the influences of the two cities. As a composer he has created a body of work that encompasses modern jazz harmony, indigenous New Orleans rhythms, and elements of the classic American songbook of the 30’s & 40’s. He has released two critically acclaimed CD’s of his jazz compositions. His first CD, “Cloud Nine” was released in 1997 and his second CD “Son of Sky” was released in 200l. Both CD’s featured a veritable of “who’s who” of the New Orleans modern jazz scene, such as, Bill Huntington, John Vidacovich, Steve Masakowski, Tony Dagradi, Bill Summers, James Singleton, and Phillip Manuel. As an arranger and producer he has worked in a variety of contexts from trio to big band. He has performed with a multitude of great jazz artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Buddy Rich, Branford Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, and Harry Connick Jr. Some of his former students include Brian Blade, Jon Cowherd, Jonathan Batiste, Troy Andrews, Rich Vogel and others who have created distinguished careers for themselves with artists like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis, Liz Wright, Joni Mitchell, Lenny Kravitz, and Galactic.
The Bulgarian-born pianist Hristo Birbochukov, known for his “sensitivity” and “superb artistry” (Edward Lein, Intermezzo Concert Series), has performed extensively as a solo and chamber musician throughout Eastern Europe and the United States. Dr. Birbochukov holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Music Conservatory in Sofia, Bulgaria, under Prof. Dimo Dimov, Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Doctor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Florida State University. Birbochukov’s honors include awards from national and international piano competitions, 2017 Steinway & Sons Award (United States), 2017 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award as a Pianist and Music Educator (United States), the 2007 Phi Kappa Phi Artist of the Year Award (Florida), and a Tallahassee Music Guild Award in 2005 and 2007 (Florida). Birbochukov’s television and radio appearances have included broadcasts in both Bulgaria and in the United States and he has been featured in national and international press including the official website of BBC Music Magazine and the largest-circulation Bulgarian national newspaper Trud. A sought-after educator, Dr. Birbochukov has presented frequently recitals and master classes, and has adjudicated competitions at numerous educational institutions across the Southeastern United States and Eastern Europe. Students of Dr. Birbochukov are frequent winners of state, regional, and national piano competitions, have performed as soloist with the professional Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and have been selected to be featured on NPR’s program “From the Top”. Currently, Dr. Birbochukov is serving on the faculty of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) as an Artist-Teacher in applied piano. In addition, he is on the Music Faculty of NOBTS, where he teaches applied piano to Master’s and Doctoral students, and he is on the Board of Directors of the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans (MASNO).