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Yuliyan Yordanov
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"Yuli" Yordanov grew up in Doyrentsi, a village in the Lovech region of North Central Bulgaria, where he was immersed in dancing and singing from a young age. A graduate of the acclaimed Academy of Music and Dance Art in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, he worked professionally as a dance director, choreographer, and Bulgarian folk dance instructor beginning in 1993. He and his students participated in many concerts, celebrations, and international festivals throughout Bulgaria and the rest of Europe. In May 1995, they were selected to appear on Channel One of Bulgarian National Television in the folklore program "Slunchevo Kolelo" (Sun Wheel).
In 1997, Yuli was honored with an invitation to attend the traditional annual party for teachers of folklore and culture hosted by the president of Bulgaria.
Since moving to the U.S. in 2001, Yuli has worked primarily with children in the Bulgarian and Serbian communities in the Chicago-Milwaukee areas and started a recreational dance group in Chicago for Bulgarian adults interested in reconnecting with their tradition.
He has taught Bulgarian dancing all over the United States.
In Des Plains, Illinois, he established and leads the dance groups Nashencheta and Mitronija of Sveta Sophia Bulgarian Orthodox Church since 2002. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he has been a choreographer and artistic director for the Na Lesa Bulgarian Folk Dance Ensemble since 2004.
Since 2003, he has danced with the Mesoghhios Greek Dancers where he learned authentic dances from Vicky Tzoumerka-Knoedler, founder and leader of the group.
From 2005 to 2006 he served as choreographer of the younger group of St. Sava Junior Dancers at the Serbian Cultural Center. He has also choreographed regional Bulgarian dance suites for Narodno! International Dancers in Madison, Wisconsin.
From 2004 to 2007, as a musician, Yuli performed vocals and played the tûpan and tambura with Veselijka (also in Madison). He has conducted a singing workshop and performed tûpan and vocal live with the accordion player Vlado Mollov in World Dance Lancaster (Pennsylvania) in 2008 and Susquehanna Folk Music Society in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2008 and 2009.
Dances Yuli has taught include Beratis, Boalysko Horo, Brezovska Rûčenica, Dermansko Horo, Dobrudžanska Rûčenica, Doyrenska Rûčenica, Ginka, Gradištensko Horo, Grûchkoto, Ikariotikos, Louduhtuh, Loveško Gankino Horo, Maleševsko (Četvorno), Pirinsko Širto, Radomirska Rûčenica, Radoyčovata, Ramo Ramo (Turkish), Ravno Oro, Ripni Kalinke, Selsko Četvorno, Široka Devyatka, Sirtaki po Loveshki, Siriysko Horo, Snošti Večer Rade, Šopska Rûčenica, and Jambolsko Trite Pûti.