Dr. Peter Kostov is a Leader of the Music Department at the School.
He has over 25 years of teaching experience of various Music disciplines and instruments like Piano, Guitar, Oboe, Saxophone, and Conducting. Here is the summary of his key qualifications:
- Doctor of Musical Arts (Northwestern University, Chicago, USA);
- Master of Music in Choral and Orchestral Conducting (Academy of Music, Sofia, Bulgaria);
- Juror of International Music and Ballet Competitions;
- Producer and Stage Director of Musical Performances;
- Active as a Performer and Conductor around Singapore;
- Member of the League of American Symphony Orchestras;
- Multi-Lingual and Multi-Cultural life experience on four continents.
A part of his outstanding career is to teach and inspire students in VIVA School of Music and Ballet:
What inspires you to teach?
Teaching is one of those professions that keep me on my toes and forever young at heart. It allows me to use my brain and, at the same time, to continue learning every day. I have found that students can teach me about different cultures, abilities, and perspectives.
The best moment is witnessing a student grasp a concept for the very first time. There is no better reward than helping a student reach clarity. This moment can be life-changing for both the student and myself. I have a passion for the Music I teach, and that keeps me going. To inspire young minds to play with new ideas, to encourage them to care deeply about the music they play, to take on more challenging tasks, and to become successful in life. This is what inspires me to teach. Seeing my students reach their goals and become productive members of society is the ultimate reason why I teach.
What is the most satisfying thing about teaching children?
Teaching is a profession that allows me to be creative and work with a variety of different people. Each day brings with it a new musical beginning.
I believe that there is nothing more satisfying in life than to inspire students to open their minds. All of us have had a teacher in our lives who may have changed our outlook or made a significant impact on us.
I try to make learning Music easy and full of fun, especially now that digital learning is taking over our educational system. Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement.
Being part of the transformative force that is music education can be a powerful thing, but so too, is experiencing the reward of everyday moments shared with young minds.
Music can shape our abilities and character. It is scientifically proven that music education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development. What better way to change the world than by forging strong characters one student at a time?