Ana Maria Kemar started singing when she was only five. Ever since her childhood she has been an object of media interest which still follows closely her development. She is called ?the president?s little singer? because she has taken part in many government concerts. She has performed before Gorbachev, Mitterrand and Fidel Castro. After graduating from the musical school in Shiroka Luka, Ana Maria was already a professional singer. There followed participations in Izvorche ensemble, Peace Flag Assembly and Filip Kutev ensemble, where she also made her first radio recordings.

She went to Korea where she met her future husband, a Frenchman. Two months later, after a very successful tour in Japan, she went to Paris where she married and remained for four years. During those years she had a baby boy, was granted French citizenship and made a lot of contacts. Her nostalgia for folklore made her return to Bulgaria by winning a contest in the folklore ensemble The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices. In the meantime she met Neshko Neshev. Together they founded the Folk Dynasty ensemble.

After leaving ?The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices, Ana Maria completely devoted her life to her individual career. She has taken part in all concerts of Folk Dynasty, won 12 national first prizes and three international first prizes and defined by the critics as Bulgaria?s young star. She is the sole producer and organizer of the concerts of the group.

Neshko Neshev started playing the clarinet when he was only four years old. He went to a music school and at the beginning performed classical concerts. He took music lessons with his father who played the clarinet too and was highly respected because his performance style had its own unique distinguishing characteristics. The person who had the most significant influence on his performance style was his uncle ? the famous Bulgarian clarinetist Ivo Papazov ? Ibryama. Music was Neshev?s life and at only nine years old he started playing with his father and uncle at weddings in order to help supporting his family, until music became the meaning of his life.

He was noticed by the critics with his perfect virtuoso style and very soon he won the first prize for best Bulgarian clarinetist. After this recognition he was invited to the elite Bulgarian folk band Kanarite with which he worked for 11 years. During this period he made his first individual album which was proclaimed by the critics as a manual for clarinetists. This recognition was yet another step towards success for the young talent.

He has taken part in the production of nine CDs of different folklore formations and ensembles. He also plays the saxophone, pipe, drum and whistle. He has played the solo for almost all famous Bulgarian folklore ensembles. He has mastered all musical styles and has very strong stage presence.

Official Web Site: http://www.folkdynasty.com