“His ability to teach is outstanding!”
Philip A. Draganov decided to dedicate his career to young talented musicians while pursuing his own musical studies. For almost 20 years he has pursued this lifetime assignment with passion, devotion and perseverance. Today he is one of the most sought-after and successful violin pedagogues in Europe.
Draganov is Professor of Violin at the Academy of the Arts Bern (HKB).
The Academy of the Arts Bern is one of the outstanding and most sought-after universities of arts in whole Europe.
At the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Draganov was appointed the only teacher for violin with a permanent position at the PreCollege Music. He is responsible for the students in the preparatory studies for the music university.
Draganov also teaches a violin class for young and highly gifted students aiming at a professional music education at the Zurich Conservatory.
Philip A. Draganov teaches at the Papiermühlestrasse, one of the locations of the Hochschule der Künste Bern, at the Zurich University of the Arts in the modern Toni-Areal, as well as the historical conservatory “Musikzentrum Florhof” at Neumarkt in the heart of Zurich.
Draganov also taught a class at the Winterthur Conservatory, he stepped down from this position in 2021.
Philip A. Draganov brings his training in diverse technical styles from studies in Europe and the United to his own teaching method. His intense and individual guidance promotes the development of each student’s natural abilities. Mr. Draganov’s focus on technical basics, virtuosity and sound development, are just as important as stylistic training and interpretation.
Draganov emphasizes the holistic development of his students, thereby extending their education beyond musical performance. Core topics include practicing strategies and time management, as well as self-confidence and stage presence.
Philip A. Draganov teaches the 1st movement of the Mendelssohn violin concerto in e-minor
International Competitions
Current and former students are winners and prize-holders of numerous international competitions including:
International Fritz Kreisler Competition in Vienna, Austria
International Marschner-Competition, Germany
Concorso Violinistico Internazionale Andrea Postacchini, Italy
International Louis Spohr Competition, Germany
Berliner International Music Competition, Germany
Concorso Internazionale Giovani Musicisti Premio Antonio Salieri, Italy
Barlassina Interntional YOUNG ARTIST Competition , Italy
European Music Competition Città di Moncalieri, Italy
INTERNATIONAL EDITION OF ”PREMIO VIRTUOSITÈ” in Padova, Italy
Manhattan International Music CompetitionInternational, USA
Michael Hill International Violin Competition, USA
Istvàn Kertész competition, Switzerland
International Arthur Grumiaux Competition for Young Violinists, Belgium
Valsesia violin competition, Italy
Rising Stars, Germany
Stockholm International Competition, Sweden
Josef Micka Violin Competition, Czech Republic
Philip A. Draganov teaches the 1st movement of the Mozart violin concerto in G major
Many years of success at the Swiss national competition (SJMW)
Since 2007, Draganov's students have won first prizes every year
From 2012 - 2022, several students have received first prizes with distinction every year.
No other violin class in Switzerland generated as many 1st prize winners and also prizes in total at the soloist competitions of the Swiss National Youth Music Competition (2016, 2018 and 2022).
In the "Jugend Musiziert" competition in Germany, several students of Philip A. Draganov have won the first prize overall Germany. In the Austrian competition “Prima la music” several of his students received the gold medal.
Masterclasses
Philip A. Draganov regularly teaches at masterclasses in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, the US and Asia. He regularly gives workshops for conservatory students on subjects such as “how to teach highly talented students”.
Philip A. Draganov is a member of the European String Teachers Association and a jury member at various competitions. He is the publisher of his own edition with the Gilgenreiner-Verlag. In 2017, his edition of Tschaikovsky’s Violin Concerto was published.
His educational work has been featured on television in Switzerland and Asia.
“Life only makes sense when you demand the best of yourself. Above all, a young person must be able to use his imagination, without restrictions.”