Virtuoso Trio

From left to right: Brothers Petar, Vasil and Nikola Chekardzhikov make up Triada.

It was at the age of five that Vasil ’06, Petar ’07, and Nikola ’07 Chekardzhikov (M.M. performance) developed their passion for music in their hometown of Varna, Bulgaria. Following in their older sister’s footsteps, the brothers began playing the accordion, eventually transitioning to the guitar. Fortunately, they grew up in a culture that nurtured their musical talents.

“In Bulgaria, music is very important to people,” said Petar. “There are a lot of children who study different instruments at a very young age.”

The group set off on their first tour in the countries of Holland and Belgium when they were in their mid-teens, performing in a place that was both “memorable and scary.”

“The very first venue was in a castle,” Nikola recalled. “I still remember that one very well because we were really nervous. We were in a country where we didn’t speak the language, and we didn’t know anything about it.”

Initially performing as the quartet Four of a Kind with their sister, Petya, the brothers broke off into the guitar trio Triada in 2001.

Under the guidance of Professor David Grimes, director of the Classical Guitar Program, the trio decided to pursue their graduate studies at Cal State Fullerton in 2002.

“It was a great pleasure – and an honor – for me to work with the Chekardzhikov brothers,” Grimes said. “They are individually very fine guitarists and musicians, and when they join forces as the Triada Guitar Trio, they
are simply scintillating – perhaps the finest guitar trio I have heard.”

Triada has performed all over the world and received countless awards, and the brothers have studied master classes with international guitarists. But they appreciate Cal State Fullerton and practice on campus three times per week.

“We like to play at the main concert hall,” said Nikola of Meng Hall in the Clayes Performing Arts Center. “It is really amazing.”

In fact, the brothers encourage their students at Orange County High School of the Arts to attend CSUF. They enjoy meeting other graduates who have turned their studies into successful careers as musicians and teachers.

“A lot of alumni are doing what they are supposed to do when they graduate,” Vasil said. “They stay connected with music all their lives.”