Dr. Devorina Gamalova graduated the State Academy of Music in Sofia, 'Hochschule für Musik' Dresden, Royal College of Music and GSMD in London and in 2008 was awarded a PhD degree at the University of West London. Among her teachers were Grigory Zhislin (whom she later assisted), Boyan Letchev and Dora Bratchkova.

She worked as principal leader of a symphony orchestra in  Saxon Germany and later moved to UK focusing on solo and chamber performance as well as devoting herself to teaching [currently at Trinity Laban and Birmingham Conservatories, at LCM and Goldsmiths]. She has CD’s, books, broadcasts and worked also as recitalist for Yehudi Menuhin’s “Live Music Now!”, which mission she transmits worldwide. Together with her piano partner Krassimir Taskov she is winner of the ‘Crystal Lyre’ award in 2013 for their recital “Eight strings and Piano”.

"Devorina Gamalova is an outstanding musician who possesses an equal command of the violin and the viola. Her playing is characterised by beautiful and varied sound, excellent technical skills, cultured and disciplined musical thinking.
Devorina, a very thoughtful and constantly developing musician, is including more and more pieces in her repertoire, and is reaching out to new horizons in interpretation."
Grigory Zhislin, Professor, Royal College of Music

“A more serious contribution from, of all places, Bulgaria, with the violinist Devorina Gamalova, makes the best case I have heard for the imperfect Poulenc Sonata for Violin and Piano. Gamalova, now based in London, has a high-flying virtuosic style like other Slavic players, such as Wanda Wilkomirska, but she tempers it with a chamber music sensibility, aided by her British accompanist Peter Rhodes.”

Benjamin Ivry [Poulenc’s biographer], CD review, The Yale Review, Volume 87, Issue 4, p. 171

 

"The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Rimsky-Korsakov's often played "Sheherasade". The technically and musically sophisticated solo of this "disguised violin concerto" was mastered with impressive nobility and vitality by the Bulgarian leader Devorina Gamalova."

"…An enjoyable opportunity to listen again to the former leader of Riesa Symphony Orchestra, D. Gamalova, who mastered the delightful soloist part (Chausson-Poeme) with it's lyrical and virtuoso passages, both stylishly and convincingly."

 

"D. Gamalova has proved herself as a distinguished artist, not only with the most sophisticated programme, but also through an intensive and very sensitive performing manner.
For the outstanding and heartfelt interpretation the audience stood and gave a prolonged applause."

"The soloist of the evening - D. Gamalova, deserves a special recognition. She made her debut as a viola player with J. Christian Bach's Viola Concerto with great success. This was not only a technically and musically flawless performance, but the soloist captivated the audience with the warm tones of a very beautiful quality."

Sachsische Zeitung 

The Bulgarian violinist Devorina Gamalova is certainly a violinist with impressive dexterity.
…in the relaxed and introspective moments of the central Intermezzo (Poulenc) her silver tone is most attractive.
...This often brooding score (Goleminoff) perfectly suits the dark and robust tone of her viola, the third movement being particularly beautiful."
The Strad