The Choir of the Music Laboratory for the Human Self was founded in 2014 in the cradle of the unprecedented and internationally recognized Bulgarian choral tradition. Its Founder & Artistic Director is Yordan Kamdzhalov. The ensemble has been developing for the second decade under the expert guidance of its conductor, Maya Vassileva-Chetrokova.
The Music Laboratory for the Human Self is among the largest mixed choirs in Bulgaria and performs in iconic halls throughout the country and abroad. This formation represents a broad selection of individuals with pronounced vocal and artistic potential. They are united by their aspiration to perform world masterpieces of classical music.
The formation is the resident choir of the GENESIS ORCHESTRA, as well as of the Stremezh (Strive) festival at the Royal Palace of Vrana and Kamdzhalov in the Valley of Roses. The choir participated in a recording and world premiere of a collaborative album with the multiple Golden Globe and Grammy winner Lisa Gerrard, as well as in the creation of the emblematic album Etudes of the Future, whose European premiere took place in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. It plays a central role in establishing the new Bulgarian Christmas musical tradition with music by architect Dimitar Nenov, which was chosen as the Musical Project of the Year in the BNR (Bulgarian National Radio) rankings. The choir is also part of the annual festive Gala Concert of Bulgarian Talent, dedicated to the musical future of Bulgaria.
Maya Vasileva-Chetrokova graduated from the Dobrin Petkov National School of Music and Dance Art with a major in piano, and in 2000 – from the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music with a major in music pedagogy and choral conducting in the class of Prof. Lilia Gyuleva.
Since 1999, she has been the conductor of the Children's Choir at the National Complex for Culture with the Italian Lyceum, and in 2000 she became the conductor of the "Rodina" (Motherland) Choir of Physicians.
In 2014, she was invited by Yordan Kamdzhalov to be the conductor of the innovative cultural project "Music Laboratory for the Human."
In 2018, she founded the children's vocal group "Smiling Stars," whose aim is to create a sense of freedom and musical improvisation in children from their earliest age. Currently, the vocal group is among the largest children's choirs in Bulgaria.
She actively performs with all her ensembles on prestigious stages in Bulgaria and Europe. She participates annually with the Choir of the Music Laboratory for the Human in the festive program of the "Stremesh" (Aspiration) Festival, founded by Yordan Kamdzhalov.
Since 2009, she has been the director of the Montessori Private Primary School.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, among which stand out: the Golden Lyre of the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers; the Golden Badge of the "Mati Bolgariya" (Mother Bulgaria) Association; the Golden Badge of the Bulgarian Medical Association; the award of the Mayor of San Turci and the award of the Municipality of Borja, Spain, as well as diplomas and certificates as a conductor and pianist-performer. She is a recipient of international distinctions for concert performances in Belgium, Italy, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Hungary, Romania, Spain, and Poland.
©2025 Yordan Kamdzhalov Foundation. All rights reserved.
