2026 Virtual Adjudicators

Praised for expressing “ultra-sensitive and highly refined pianism” (Quinte Society for Chamber Music), pianist Petya Stavreva holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts from Western University.

Dr. Stavreva maintains an independent teaching studio, both in person and online, where her students regularly succeed in festivals and competitions. Two students won 1st place at the RCM’s “Music Lights the Way” festival for Levels 5 and 10 in the inaugural competition. She is a strong advocate for healthy, injury-free playing and is dedicated to helping students build sustainable technique for long-term success. She is also an active RCM examiner.

She served as Program Director of the Quinte Society for Chamber Music concert series in 2023 and is currently President of the St. Albert Piano Teachers’ Association.

She is in an active piano duo with her husband, Todd Yaniw. Most recently, they performed for the St. Albert Chamber Music Society in May 2026 and are planning a recording project and tour for 2027.

Petya is a sought-after adjudicator for piano competitions and festivals including Kiwanis Festivals in Toronto, Ottawa, Peterborough, Pickering, Brantford, Oshawa, Kingston, Stratford, Markham, the Provincial Ontario Festival, and the Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival.

In 2020 and 2021, Petya collaborated with violinist Marie Bérard, concertmaster of the Canadian Opera Company, on the official recordings of the new RCM Celebration Series books.

She has been a prize winner in numerous competitions in Canada and Europe, including the international Franz Schubert Competition in Rousse and Music and Earth in Sofia, and has performed concertos with the Toronto Sinfonietta Orchestra. She has performed across Canada and internationally in the U.S., France, Italy, and Bulgaria, and has frequently collaborated with cellist Amahl Arulanandam (VC2).

Before Western, she completed her master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving full scholarship support, along with an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto.

Dr. Stavreva is a registered music teacher through Alberta Registered Music Teachers' Association and teaches both online and in person.