Muzika! 2026 Festival announces 5th anniversary season in South Carolina
March 5, 2026
25-year international legacy brings Metropolitan Opera leadership, Broadway classics, and Bulgarian folk to the Palmetto State this June
This June, the Muzika! Festival returns to South Carolina for its fifth season, marking a quarter-century of global excellence for its parent organization, Varna International. What began 25 years ago as a world-traveling production company has now established South Carolina as its permanent cultural home, bringing elite international artistry to local stages.
The 2026 season, led by Maestro Gregory Buchalter of the Metropolitan Opera, features 50+ world-class faculty members mentor and perform alongside 300+ emerging artists from across the globe.
“For 25 years, Varna International has brought world-class artistry to stages around the globe,” says Festival Director Kalin Tchonev. “Over the past five years, South Carolina has become the vibrant center of that work. Muzika! demonstrates that our state belongs on the international cultural stage.”
2026 Featured Performance Lineup
Sacred Service (Ernest Bloch)
Thursday, June 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia
A monumental choral masterpiece that kicks off the festival’s signature series.
From Stage to Screen
Friday, June 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia
Back by popular demand: A journey through 80 years of Broadway favorites and iconic Hollywood film scores.
The Magic of Broadway (Regional Tour)
June 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington
June 14 | 7:00 p.m. | Ground Zero, Myrtle Beach
June 15 | 7:00 p.m. | Hartness Performing Arts Center, Greenville
Little Women: The Musical
June 20 (7 p.m.) & June 21 (3 p.m.) | Lexington Two Performing Arts Center
A sweeping Broadway adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved classic.
Carmen (Georges Bizet)
June 27 (1 & 7 p.m.) & June 28 (3 p.m.) | Lexington Two Performing Arts Center
The crown jewel of the season: a fully staged, electrifying production of passion and defiance.
Detska Kitka: Bulgarian Female Youth Choir Various Dates
An award-winning youth choir from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, celebrating the “Sister City” bond with Columbia through hauntingly beautiful folklore and contemporary choral music.
A Cultural & Economic Powerhouse
Beyond the music, Muzika! is a vital engine for the region. The festival generates $1.46 million in direct local spending and over $1.5 million in total annual economic impact. Central to its mission is the Varna International Music Academy, which awards approximately $250,000 in scholarships annually to ensure that financial barriers do not stop the next generation of talent.
Tickets & Attendance
Tickets and the full schedule are available at www.muzikafestival.com. Early booking is encouraged as several venues have limited seating.
About Varna International Music Academy
Varna International (VIMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to world-class classical music and training. With 25 years of experience in 30+ countries, VIMA provides transformative opportunities for rising musicians and world-class performances for audiences. Under the artistic leadership of Maestro Gregory Buchalter of the Metropolitan Opera, Muzika! continues its distinctive model of pairing internationally acclaimed professionals with emerging artists in a rigorous and inspiring performance environment. We bring over 50 faculty members and internationally-renowned artists from throughout the nation to teach and perform with 300+ musicians from 25+ states.
