The Bulgarian-born pianist Ivan Yanakov is a winner of the New York City’s 2001 ARTISTS INTERNATIONAL DEBUT WINNERS SERIES. He was awarded a fully sponsored solo debut recital at Carnegie's Recital Hall in October 2001.

A winner of numerous international piano competitions, his recent performances have been heard to a critical acclaim on three continents, including in France, Japan (4 concert tours), Italy (more than 150 concerts), South Korea, Hungary, Austria, Germany, China, Turkey, Great Britain, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Poland, and throughout the United States. Mr. Yanakov plays regularly with orchestras throughout Europe and Asia. He has given master classes in several countries, most recently in China and Turkey.

The pianist holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the Mannes College of Music in New York City.  He also holds an artistic diploma from Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy, as a full-scholarship student of Michele Campanella. Mr. Yanakov also studied in master classes with Prof. Gornostaeva (Moscow Conservatory), Prof. Julian Martin (Juilliard School), Eugene Injic (USA/France), and chamber music with members of the Tokyo String Quartet, and Pinchas Zukerman.

Live TV, satellite and Radio broadcasts for many stations throughout North America and Europe, including three live broadcasts from The Los Angeles Museum of Art. Since 2003, the pianist frequently records at the Bulgarian National Radio, by their invitation. 

In 2007 Mr. Yanakov was given the Recognition of Excellence by NATO’s chief commander in Bosnia for playing a gala concert with Sarajevo Philharmonic. The pianist also played two major recitals in Paris as part of festivities honoring the world-renowned pianist Alexis Weissenberg.

Engagements for the 2009/2010 season include a concert tour in Japan, as well as concerts in France, Russia, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, China and Bulgaria. The artist is working on a commercial CD project with the Gega New label.

Mr. Yanakov is the Music Director and Co-founder of Siena Belcanto, a music festival in Italy.