Theodora Nestorova, Voice Teacher

Introduction: Praised for her “unique voice”, Bulgarian-British-American soprano Theodora Ivanova Nestorova is currently pursuing her third year of study in Vocal Performance at the Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Lorraine Manz. As a young, budding opera singer, Miss Nestorova has performed as Oberto in Oberlin Opera Theater’s production of Handel’s Alcina, Amore in Oberlin in Italy’s production of Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Soprano Ensemble Member in Oberlin Opera Theater’s production of Massenet’s Cendrillon, and Soprano Ensemble Member in MetroWest Opera’s production of Carmen. In addition, Miss Nestorova has performed many opera scenes in prestigious summer programs such as the Interlochen Arts Camp High School Vocal Artist Program, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Vocal Program, the Kennedy Center’s Washington National Opera Institute, and Classical Singing & New York in June. Miss Nestorova has studied with Dr. Dana Lynne Varga, Kendra Colton, and Dr. Velizara Karayankova, and coached with many of the world’s most renowned coaches. Equally at home as an avid concert soloist, Miss Nestorova performed with Emmanuel Music & Winsor Music’s The Bach Institute and various recitals around the world, including making her European debut at the National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, Bulgaria. Miss Nestorova toured with Oberlin Sinfonietta under Maestro Tim Weiss at the Bang on a Can 30th Anniversary Concert, was a soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along sponsored by Credo Music—Oberlin and was a soprano soloist and section leader of the Oberlin Mozart Players’ production of Haydn’s The Creation. Miss Nestorova has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including Honorable Mention in The Philharmonic Society of Arlington’s Young Artist Competition—Woods Division, Massachusetts Music Educators Association Eastern Senior District Scholarship, Audience Favorite Award; MetroWest Opera High School Vocal Competition, Rowena D. Meier Vocal Scholarship, and Second Place; NATS Musical Theatre Vocal Competition; Boston Chapter; Division 1a. Additionally, she received a Conservatory Dean’s Talent Award, a merit scholarship awarded by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s Vocal Studies Division for all four years of undergraduate education. Miss Nestorova has been an honored participant in master classes with renowned musicians such as Nathan and Julie Gunn, Harolyn Blackwell, Margo Garrett, Dr. Kathryn LaBouff, Dr. Christoph Wolff, Ari Pelto, Karen Holvik, Dr. Corradina Caporello, Dr. Sarah Hoover, Dr. Stephen Austin, and Cristina Stanescu. Truly a multi-faceted artist, Miss Nestorova anticipates graduating from Oberlin with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, a Minor in Music History/Musicology, and Advanced Studies in Piano. Her love of the music of languages is evident in her polyglot background. Miss Nestorova is also a nationally-ranked figure skater who enjoys travelling, writing, and reading. Theodora Nestorova was born in Manchester, England where she began her musical training with ballet and dance classes at age four. Her familial roots in Bulgaria allowed her to expand her cultural horizons. She moved to Seattle, WA in 2001 and soon after started playing piano. Theodora’s passion for music continued after she moved to Acton, MA in 2008. Currently pursuing her third year of study in the Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance and Minor in Music History/Musicology and Advanced Studies in Piano at the Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Lorraine Manz. As a rising pedagogue, Miss Nestorova is a Student Laboratory Assistant in the Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center and created and serves as President of the Oberlin Conservatory SNATS Chapter. She is a Voice Teacher at the Avon School & Strongsville Academy of Music in Ohio as well as creating and maintaining her own private vocal studio. She also holds positions as the Soprano Section Leader Choral Scholar at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Amherst, MA and a Circulation Desk Student Assistant at the Oberlin Conservatory Library. A truly well-rounded artist, Miss Nestorova also served as the Administrative and Community Outreach/Development Intern at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in 2015 and the Artistic Intern at MetroWest Opera from 2013-2014. In the past, Miss Nestorova has served as a Music Teacher and Substitute Music Minister at the Church of the Good Shepherd and an Assistant Piano Teacher and Kindermusik Fellow at Indian Hill Music School. Miss Nestorova has been honored with prestigious awards, such as the Conservatory Dean’s Talent Award, a merit scholarship awarded by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s Vocal Studies Division for all four years of undergraduate education. At Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, she was a member of the Raymond J. Grey Chapter of the National Honor Society. Additionally, in May 2013, Theodora won the University of Michigan Book Award. In February 2014, Theodora was awarded the ABRHS Principal’s Recognition Award for “Theodora’s willingness to share her formidable music and theater skills with the music and drama departments. Her impressive talent and skills include the production of her own show ‘The Senior Showcase.’ Theodora Nestorova is truly a person of quality and substance." In addition, Miss Nestorova is no stranger to publications, as she wrote and was the Forum Section Editor for ABRHS’s The Spectrum. In March 2014, The Spectrum won the Suffolk University Award for Excellence in Editorial Writing. Miss Nestorova was accepted as the youngest intern in the online magazine, Athena Magazine for Girls. In March 2011, Theodora was awarded the Poetry Out Loud Award for her excellent participation in the competition. An active community service member, Miss Nestorova has been a leader for the ABRHS Interact Club, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and an ABRHS Student Ambassador. Equally passionate about singing and teaching, as a young, budding opera singer, Miss Nestorova has performed as Oberto in Oberlin Opera Theater’s production of Handel’s Alcina, Amore in Oberlin in Italy’s production of Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, and in the ensembles of Massenet’s Cendrillon with Oberlin Opera Theater and Bizet’s Carmen with MetroWest Opera. In addition, Miss Nestorova has performed many opera scenes in prestigious summer programs such as the Interlochen Arts Camp High School Vocal Artist Program, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Vocal Program, the Kennedy Center’s Washington National Opera Institute, and Classical Singing & New York in June. Equally at home as an avid concert soloist, Miss Nestorova has performed with Emmanuel Music & Winsor Music’s The Bach Institute and various recitals around the world, including making her European debut at the National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, Bulgaria. Miss Nestorova toured with Oberlin Sinfonietta under Maestro Tim Weiss at the Bang on a Can 30th Anniversary Concert, was a soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along sponsored by Credo Music—Oberlin and was a soprano soloist and section leader of the Oberlin Mozart Players’ production of Haydn’s The Creation. Miss Nestorova has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including Audience Favorite Award; MetroWest Opera High School Vocal Competition and Second Place; NATS Musical Theatre Vocal Competition; Boston Chapter; Division 1a. Additionally, she received a Conservatory Dean’s Talent Award, a merit scholarship awarded by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s Vocal Studies Division for all four years of undergraduate education. Miss Nestorova has been an honored participant in master classes with renowned musicians such as Nathan and Julie Gunn, Harolyn Blackwell, Margo Garrett, Dr. Kathryn LaBouff, Dr. Christoph Wolff, Ari Pelto, Karen Holvik, Dr. Corradina Caporello, Dr. Sarah Hoover, Dr. Stephen Austin, and Cristina Stanescu. Finally, Miss Nestorova’s outlook as a citizen of the world is evident in her love of languages and polyglot background. Miss Nestorova is also a nationally-ranked figure skater who enjoys travelling, writing, and reading.