Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Georgi Tsenov initiated his musical studies at the age of four at the Sofia Military Club, subsequently pursuing formal training at the National Music School “Ljubomir Pipkov” under the tutelage of the Paliev family and Professor Hristo Yotsov.
During his foundational years, Tsenov established a distinguished competitive record across Europe. His early accolades include top honors at the International Music Competition “Young Virtuosos,” the “Pendim” Percussion Competition, and a first-prize victory in the composition category at the International Arts Competition “Young Creative Chevrolet” in 2010. While completing his initial studies, he performed extensively with the percussion ensemble 3+3, toured internationally with the CEI Youth Orchestra under the baton of Igor Coretti-Kuret , and co-founded the Youth Percussion Pool Ensemble and Academy in 2009 alongside marimba virtuoso Tatiana Koleva.
To further refine his artistic practice, Tsenov engaged in advanced masterclasses with eminent pedagogues and performers, including Peter Sadlo, Bogdan Bacanu, Nebojsa Zivkovic, and Colin Currie. Prior to concluding his studies in Sofia, he served as principal timpanist for several national orchestras and gave the world premiere performance of Emmanuel Séjourné's Double Concerto for Vibraphone, Marimba, Strings, and Percussion Ensemble.
In 2012, Tsenov relocated to Rotterdam, Netherlands, to pursue advanced degrees in classical percussion and orchestral conducting at Codarts University for the Arts, where he graduated Cum Laude. His tenure in the Netherlands marked the expansion of his orchestral career, collaborating with prominent ensembles—including the Residentie Orkest and Doelen Ensemble—under the direction of acclaimed conductors such as Valery Gergiev, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Reinbert de Leeuw.
A significant artistic milestone occurred in 2017 at the KALIMA Festival, where Tsenov studied under the renowned marimba master Keiko Abe during her 80th anniversary celebration. That same year, he founded the xSight Percussion Duo alongside José Miñarro. The ensemble achieved widespread critical recognition after winning both the Grachtenfestival Concours and the Dutch Classical Talent Competition in 2019, which led to extensive European tours featuring their signature program, WoodenTouch.
Currently, Tsenov holds the position of Solo Timpanist and Percussionist with the Mannheimer Philharmoniker, serves as a regular substitute for the Residentie Orkest Den Haag, and Artistic Director of the Mallet Collective. Alongside his active performance schedule as a solo and chamber marimbist and recording artist, he serves as a Professor of Rhythm Theory at Codarts University for the Arts and regularly conducts international masterclasses on specialised marimba sound techniques.
