Meet Our Teachers
Anna Bogolubova, Founder
Piano, Composition
Anna Bogolubova is celebrated as one of the leading Ukrainian pianist/composer of the young generation. As a tribute to her talent, National TV Ukraine aired a documentary film “Anna Bogolubova – composer and pianist.”
Ms. Bogolubovas has performed solo recitals in the United States, Ukraine, Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland, Andorra, Italy, Poland, and Russia. She has been also featured on Radio and TV Odessa, Ukraine; Warsaw TV, Poland; Senegalia Television, Italy; Radio and TV Monterrey Mexico and Radio Binghamton in the United States.
Ms. Bogolubova collaborates with computer engineers, writers, actors, and dancers in a creative approach to her recitals, including Synesthesia Recital produced by 969pArt Production in Le Tholonet, France and Beethoven/Liszt “Immortality” show in New York.
Anna Bogolubova is a top prize winner of several competitions, including: XX Incontro Internazionale Giovani Pianisti Citta Di Senegalia, Italy; Concurso Internacional de Piano, Andorra; The Music and Art Foundation Young Musicians Piano Competition, New York – 1st prize; New York Chopin Competition – 1st prize; BC Pops Martha & Richard Youth Concerto Competition in Binghamton, New York – 1st prize; and Concurso Internacional de Piano Parnassos in Mexico – 1st prize.
Anna Bogolubova holds both Bachelor and Master Degrees from The Juilliard School where she had studied with Prof. Oxana Yablonskaya.
In 2007 Naxos released a CD of Anna Bogolubova’s performing two piano concertos by H. K. Hedley with Russia Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Dmitry Yablonsky.
Anna Bogolubova has over twenty years of pedagogic experience and has been invited to teach and give Master Classes in Music Festivals in France, Switzerland, and Mexico and has been a judge of international piano competitions.
In 2010 Anna Bogolyubova co-founded BOMAA (Beauty of Music and Art) – a teaching studio in New York City.
Elias Guzman, Co-Founder
Piano
Elias Guzman is a versatile musician, composer, theorist, and educator with extensive international performance experience in various countries.
Mr. Guzman is a composer in residence with “The Balam Dance Theatre,” which has premiered and choreographed various original works by him.
As a personal assistant to the late American composer David Diamond, Elias Guzman studied composition and orchestration with Rebecca Scott, Lawrence Widdoes, Samuel Zyman, and Michael White at “The Juilliard School.”
Elias Guzman is a proficient teacher of piano, violin, viola, cello, voice, guitar, composition, trumpet, and more.
Presently, Mr. Guzman is a piano faculty member at “The JCC Thurnauer School of Music” in Tenafly, New Jersey, and an active member of the Westchester Home Music Center.
Bengi Tasci-Lagares
Voice, Music Theory
Bengi Tasci-Lagares, formerly known as Bengi Mayone, is a trailblazing lyric-coloratura soprano who made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2003 and European debut in France in 2006. Bengi has worked with acclaimed conductors such as James Levine, Franz Welzer-Möst, Anton Guadgno, and Valery Gergiev and has won several prestigious vocal competitions during her 30-year career. After teaching at several music schools in New York and Florida, she founded Music With Bengi to mentor and support her students in achieving their musical aspirations. As a dedicated member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the New York Singing Teachers’ Association (NYSTA), she shared her expertise with aspiring singers. Before taking a break from teaching to raise her family, she was invited to speak at the 2014 World Voice Conference at Columbia University about Effective Training for the Child and the Adolescent Voice. Outside of performing arts, she is a loving and devoted wife and mother who indulges in various interests such as reading, Argentine tango, running marathons, traveling, photography, gardening, cooking, and coding. Bengi is very happy to join the teaching and administrative team of BOMAA and looks forward to working with everyone.
Georgy Valtchev
Violin
As a soloist with orchestras, in recitals and as a chamber musician, Georgy Valtchev has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. In the United States, he has appeared at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the 92nd Street Y in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and the Chicago Cultural Center. In Europe, he has performed at Wigmore Hall and the Barbican Centre in London, the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam, and the Bulgaria Hall in Sofia. He has toured Asia, Australia and Israel, with performances at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, the Beijing Cultural Arts Center, the Guangzhou Opera House, the Sydney Opera House, the Taipei Cultural Center, and the Tel Aviv Opera House, among others.
A dedicated chamber musician, Mr. Valtchev enjoys frequent performances with distinguished international artists and ensembles in the United States and Europe, and has appeared in numerous festivals on both continents. He has been honored to lead, as guest concertmaster, several major symphony orchestras, most notably the London Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera of Madrid.
He is a founder and artistic director of the Off the Beaten Path Chamber Music Festival in Kovachevitsa, and a founding member of the Bulgarian Concert Evenings in New York chamber music series.
Born in Plovdiv, Georgy began his violin studies at the age of six with Boyanka Shopova. In Bulgaria, he also studied with Micho Dimitrov, Vladimir Vladigerov and Dora Ivanova. He received his basic music education at the state music schools in Plovdiv and Sofia. At sixteen, he won the Grand Prize of the Jaroslav Kocián International Competition for Young Violinists in then Czechoslovakia. After a short study at the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Music Academy in Sofia, Georgy was accepted as a student of Professor Dorothy DeLay and Masao Kawasaki at The Juilliard School in New York, where he completed his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. He has been honored with a number of awards, including the First Prize of the Ducrest International Competition (USA), and the Special Prize of the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition (Switzerland).
Lori Eure
Voice
Lori Eure is originally from a small town in NC. At an early age
she learned how to play many musical instruments, sing, dance
and act. After her first ‘performance’ singing in front of her
kindergarten class, Lori discovered she had a passion for music and movement. She currently resides in New York City and has been teaching for over a decade. Lori teaches private voice lessons and many styles of dance master classes throughout the country. Not only is Lori passionate about teaching, she is also an active professional
performer. Lori has toured the world with many shows and various recording artists. She performed on Broadway for several years in the revival of the musical Cabaret directed by Sam Mendes. She performed in the Queen rock musical We Will Rock You in Las Vegas and performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Lori is a professional back ground vocalist for several recording artists. You can hear her singing on albums such as Killer Queen: Tribute to Queen by Hollywood Records, and Cocoon: Jeff Tuohy-Billboard Award-winning artist. Her teaching philosophy is simple, have FUN! Lori focuses on the joy of singing, body movement and developing great technique and confidence. She specializes in discovering the connection to your mind, body and voice for all ages. Lori believes everyone has a voice you just need to be heard. She truly loves teaching and working with others to spread the joy of creativity. Lori received a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance from East Carolina University in NC.
“Those who wish to sing always find a song.”—Unknown
Nilko Andreas
Guitar
“…an electrifying performer known for his powerful stage presence and spontaneity.” —Backstage New York
Since his Carnegie Hall solo debut in 2009, multi-faceted touring artist Nilko Andreas has been entertaining audiences on three continents as an internationally awarded classical guitarist, composer, actor, music director, and singer. Born in Colombia, he carries the musical legacy of his motherland, layered with his experiences and extensive training in cello, classical guitar, composition, and orchestral conducting, and 22 years of living, performing as a soloist and chamber musician, producing, and conducting in New York City.
He is the founder of the “Amazonas” series presented at Carnegie Hall since 2010, with a strong focus on raising awareness about environmental damage. He played “Don Quixote” in the musical “The Man of La Mancha” by Musical Theater Heritage. His passion for the work of Garcia Lorca led him to collaborate on and produce many plays, including “La zapatera prodigiosa” (Spanish Repertory Theater). His collaboration with the group “Artificio Theater” received rave reviews and awards. He conceived and directed “Así Canta Federico,” an interactive concert around the life and work of Lorca.
An accomplished educator, Nilko Andreas has given master classes and conferences in universities and conservatories around the world. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Latin American Chamber Music Society of New York and serves as Artistic Director at AZLO Productions.
Edgar Guzman
Drums
Hi I’m Edgar, your new drum teacher!
I’ve been playing music since I was two, studied Jazz Drums at Bard College, and have been teaching for almost ten years now. As your teacher, my philosophy is simple: develop curious students who love to experiment. With me, you’ll have fun in every lesson, strengthen your fundamentals, see quick results, and learn based on your goals and strengths.
Although being a jazz fanatic, my drumming is informed by hip-hop, Afro-Cuban, funk, rock, and more. Whatever genre or style you’re interested in, I am excited to help you hone your style and become the drummer you want to be!
Elisa Guzman
Art
Bio: coming soon!