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<p>Cellist Marta Simidtchieva is an active soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. Dr. Simidtchieva is currently an assistant professor of cello at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, where she is also a member of the LeClaire Piano Trio and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.</p>
<p>A native of Bourgas, Bulgaria and graduate of the Bulgarian State Academy of Music in Sofia, she earned her doctorate of music from Florida State University where she was a student of Lubomir Georgiev, a member of the Eppes String Quartet, and principal cellist with the University Symphony Orchestra with whom she also appeared as a soloist several times, most notably performing the Vivaldi <em>Concerto for Two Cellos</em> with vocalist Bobby McFerrin.</p>
<p>The recipient of numerous awards and prizes, including the 2002 Florida State Doctoral Concerto Competition, Dr. Simidtchieva has been a member of, or performed with, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, New Symphony Orchestra (Sofia, Bulgaria), Orlando Philharmonic, Columbus (Georgia) Symphony, Eastern Music Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wildwoon Opera Festival, and a regular performer at the New Bulgarian Music Festival.</p>
<p>Email: <a href="mailto:maschap@siue.edu">msimidt@siue.edu</a></p>
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