Teodora Adzharova, piano

Described as a “true musician” with “electrifying energy” and “limitless emotional and dynamic range” (NYCR), the Bulgarian pianist Dr. Teodora Adzharova’s performances have graced prestigious venues in the United States, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Macedonia, Serbia, and the Czech Republic. Laureate of numerous national and international competitions, she has established herself as one of the most sought-after musicians in the Baltimore, MD-Washington, D.C. region, frequently collaborating with musicians from both the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Some of Dr. Adzharova’s recent performances include appearances at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Goucher College, Catholic University of America, New York’s DiMenna Center, the Bulgarian Embassy in D.C., the Washington Arts Club, and Silo Hill.

Dr. Adzharova’s 2026-2027 season features the release of her debut solo album dedicated to the music of Dmitri Shostakovich, including the composer’s Preludes, Op. 34 and Piano Sonata, Op. 61. One of the few pianists who performs both of Shostakovich’s piano sonatas in a single program, Dr. Adzharova has presented lecture-recitals of the repertoire at Peabody (2025), UMBC (2022), the World Piano Conference (Serbia, 2023), and the DiMenna Center (2024). Her interest in the legacy of Shostakovich has garnered the recognition of Alan Mercer, editor-in-chief of the international DSCH Journal, leading to collaborations and the publication of Dr. Adzharova’s writings.

As a passionate educator, Adzharova teaches at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Preparatory division, where she also coordinates the Musicianship for Pianists program. Her previous faculty appointments include the Peabody Conservatory, UMBC, Community College of Baltimore County and the Leon Fleisher Academy. Dr. Adzharova is a board member of the Greater Baltimore Music Teacher Association and is a sought-after adjudicator for numerous regional and state competitions and recitals. In 2019, Dr. Adzharova’s dedication to chamber music and community engagement led to her appointment as the Co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Annunciation Cathedral Concert Series. Each season, the series offers inventive and accessible classical music programming to the Baltimore community, promoting high-caliber artists from the region and beyond. She has also served as an organist for the cathedral since 2015.

Dr. Adzharova holds piano performance degrees from the Peabody Institute (DMA, 2020; Performance Diploma, 2013; MM, 2011), where she studied with Ellen Mack.