Nikolay Kolev is a famous Gadulka virtuoso from the village Karavelovo in the Rose Valley of Bulgaria. After graduating from Shiroka Luka High School, he performed with the Sliven Ensemble for three years. In 1984, he founded the orchestra Sopot. In the same year, he started the wedding band "Rozova Dolina" which became one of the most sought-after groups in Thrace. In 1992, he also founded "Balkanski Glasove"--the singing group which took first place at the Varna Festival in 1994 and 1995. Nikolay is also an accomplished composer and arranger of folk songs. His compositions have been performed by such well known singers as Roumen Rodopski, Savka Sarieva, Donka Koleva and others. Nikolay Kolev has taught at the EEFC Balkan Camps on both coasts, and has an adoring cadre of private students. In 1999, Nikolay Kolev was the first Bulgarian to be recognized by the Slavic Heritage Council of America for his outstanding contributions in music.