Elina Koytcheva, Violinist

Elina Koytcheva is a highly accomplished and charming violinist who performs solo and with various Classical and contemporary ensembles in Cape Town and across the world

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Elina took up violin at the age of 6 and graduated consecutively National School of Music “ Lyubomir Pipkov”, where she studied for 12 years and Bulgarian  Music Academy “ Pancho Vladiguerov”, both situated in the capital.  She has won a Bulagarian National competition for solo violin in Provadia at the age of 10.

During her studies in Bulgaria she was part of different ensembles  and chamber orchestras and travelled extensively to France, Spain, Greece, Mexico, Germany, Italy and Brazil.

Between 1993-1994 she was invited to perform with a Piano Duo at Sheraton Hotel in Ankara, Turkey, playing various musical styles. End of 1994 she left for the Netherlands to work and further continue her studies. She graduated Rotterdam’s Conservatory in 1999 in the violin class of  Natasha Morozova.

While in the Netherlands, Elina was part of the Dutch production “ Bernstein on Stage”, playing major symphony works of Leonard Bernstein. Had a permanent position as violinist with the Dutch production of  “ The Phantom of the Opera “, “ Evita”, “ West Side Story”, “ Joe, the Musical” and “ Fiddler on the Roof ”. In Holland she continued performing on freelance basis with Noord-Hollands Orkest, Holland Symphonia and  Nederlands Ballet Orkest.

Between 2002-2004 she was a regular ad hoc player with Metropole Orkest, Dutch only jazz & pop orchestra, supporting international artists like Oleta Adams, Gino Vinelli, Steve Vai, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Tim Ries  and others. Participated in various concerts, studio, radio & tv recordings.

Since 2005 Elina is based in Cape Town and performes with various groups and ensembles (including Sterling EQ, Cape Town Tango Ensemble & B.A.T.E Lounge, Yemanya)  a wide range of musical styles and genres, from classical through to jazz and pop . She performed as part of the George Benson string section at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2010, as well as Il Divo and Katherine Jenkins in 2012.

Elina took part of all Heineken Symphonic Rocks productions in Cape Town and Johannesburg from 2010 to present, a crossover classical /rock&pop event, featuring the best of South African and international artists.

She is also a founding member of Cadillac String Quartet.