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Milen Kirov
Described as a “pianist with superhuman coordination,” Dr. Milen Kirov is an award-winning Bulgarian-American pianist, composer, and educator with an inimitable artistic voice and celebrated creative output.
About Me
Described as a “pianist with superhuman coordination,” Dr. Milen Kirov is an award-winning Bulgarian-
American performer, composer, and educator with an inimitable artistic voice and celebrated creative
output. His career redefines the role of the performer-composer in 21st century by transcending
genres, labels, and artistic boundaries. Combining his Bulgarian music heritage and concert pianist
background with contemporary composition, jazz, world music, and improvisation, Dr. Kirov has carved
a thriving career as a unique and respected artist.
Milen Kirov has won awards from the Bulgarian National Radio Composition Competition; Bulgarian
National Music Competition “Sv. Obretenov”; MTNA Performance Competition; Reno Chamber
Orchestra Concerto Competition; Liberace Scholarship Competition; J. Huntzinger Concerto
Competition, and has received numerous grants and commissions from organizations such as the
American Music Center and Montecito Music Festival among others. In June of 2015 Dr. Kirov was
awarded a Certificate of Congressional Recognition by the United States Congress for his work as a
director of an international music ensemble, and for “showcasing Bulgarian culture and continuing Los
Angeles’ tradition of multiculturalism.” Milen has performed throughout Europe and North America
and has written and recorded music for several films including “Human Error” – a Robert M. Young film,
official selection of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival; “A Cigar At the Beach” – an award-winning film
by Triskalion Entertainment, and “Woody Allen: A Documentary” directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker
Robert Weide, part of the celebrated PBS’ American Masters series.
As an artist and producer, Dr. Kirov has released 6 albums and several singles, and has appeared as a
guest artist on numerous other records on labels such as Sony BMG, MRi, and A.i. Music. His latest
album “SPATIUM” was released by London-based ICSM Records in May, 2022. Milen’s compositions
and performances have been featured on dozens of radio and TV stations on four continents. Some of
the diverse artists he has performed and/or recorded with include Perry Farrell, Ellis Hall, Miroslav
Tadic, Dragomir Yosifov, Steve Ferrone, Mike Keneally, John Bergamo, Theodosii Spassov, Money Mark,
and James Gadson, among others. Dr. Kirov is also known as a keyboardist who utilizes a wide range
of acoustic, analog, and digital keyboard instruments such as harpsichord, pipe organ, accordion,
Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes piano, and synthesizers.
Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in a family of musicians, Milen Kirov started playing the piano at age four and
attended High School of Music “D. Petkov” and Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in his
hometown. He holds degrees from California State University, Northridge and California Institute of
the Arts. Currently Milen resides in Los Angeles, California where he is an Assistant Professor of Piano,
Composition, and Theory at Los Angeles City College. He frequently gives master classes and
lectures, and serves as a jury in piano, jazz, and chamber music competitions. Dr. Kirov is the co-
founder, and member of the jury of the annual Competition for Young Pianists “Stella Oslekova” held in
his hometown of Plovdiv and dedicated to the memory of his beloved first piano teacher.
Milen Kirov is a Yamaha Artist.