By Bob Holmes
The sounds coming from the Seminar Room in Columbia International University’s Jones Center on a Wednesday afternoon in June were not typical. Instead of a lecture or class discussion, there was music, dancing and acting as about two dozen university students from around the nation rehearsed for the production of Johann Strauss’ operetta “Die Fledermaus.”
They were a small part of the 200 university and high school students attending the Varna International Music Academy on the campus during June as they prepared for “Muzika!,” South Carolina’s Statewide Classical Music Festival which included various aspects of the performing arts.
The Varna International Music Academy is headquartered in Columbia, founded by Kalin and Sharon Tchonev, and named for Varna, Bulgaria the city where Mr. Tchonev is originally from. With the rehearsal continuing in the background, Mrs. Tchonev explained that Varna performs fully-staged operas, musicals, Broadway, film music, choral orchestral music and chamber music. The students were auditioned prior to their work on the CIU campus, culminating in over 20 performances around South Carolina and the Columbia area, including on the CIU campus.
“They go through a monthlong process, which consists of about 60 phenomenal faulty members from throughout the nation, including the Metropolitan Opera,” Sharon Tchonev said, over the rising volume of an operetta crescendo in the background. “It’s like a conservatory on wheels.”
Some CIU faculty and staff members working in their offices were even surprised to hear the sounds of an individual trombonist or trumpeter coming from what otherwise would be vacant classrooms over the summer break.
“That is the most fascinating part for me, from the producer’s side because … there is one-on-one coaching … a lot of work goes into it. And then you bring them together. It’s like baking a great cake — and it has to rise,” says Tchonev with a laugh. “It needs the right ingredients, and for us the right ingredients are the faculty that we select carefully, and fly them all here — the best, truly the best.”
This is the second summer that Varna has selected the CIU campus for its Academy. Why CIU?
“Because your facilities and service are superb. I do mean it.” Tchonev said with emphasis. “We feel at home — there is a calm over the campus — the facilities are incredible (including) all the rooms where we need to rehearse one-on-one and together.”
Tchonev gives special kudos to Moni Wegren, Camps & Conference Services coordinator and Tim Lewis, the director of Auxiliary Services.
“Moni and Tim truly service our group,” Tchonev said. “When we bring to them the rooming list, the bus transfers list and the catering, they find a way to serve our group in the best way possible, and to make us feel welcomed which we really need.
“If you have a bunch of artists from throughout the nation, there is already a lot of pressure on them because they are performers … they need the support, and we have found the support from your staff.”
Sharon Tchonev, who is a Christian and originally from Israel, notes that not everyone who attends the Academy is a follower of Christ, so having the Academy rehearse on the CIU campus has a spiritual importance.
“I feel it is a great opportunity for us to touch lives … they see the Scriptures (around campus), they know who their host is. I think that is very important.”
A total of 12 organizations are meeting on the CIU campus this summer (June and July).
“We’re pumped about this summer and the lives that will be impacted and changed right here at CIU as a result of their time on campus!” Wegren wrote to the CIU faculty and staff at the beginning of summer. “Let’s make them feel at home!”
For more information on Conference & Guest Services, visit ciu.edu/about/conference-guest-services.
Learn more about Varna International at varnainternatinoal.com.
