Kalina Tindall, Piano Teacher Extraordinaire
Kalina has had an extraordinary career in music and life. She was born in Veliko Turnova, Bulgaria in 1952, and began playing piano at 8 years old. After graduating from Professor Vesselln Stoyanov's High School of Music she earned a Masters Degree in Music from The National Academy of Music and Dancing in Bulgaria in 1977. She was fortunate to have studied directly under some of the most renowned music educators in Bulgaria.
After completing her formal education in music she began work as Accompanist, Choir Master and Assistant Conductor for several choirs in Bulgaria that performed throughout her home country and also many countries throughout Europe. Many awards were earned. The Vela Piskova Children's Choir, Kantilena Women's Choir, Slaviansko Edinstvo Mixed Choir, Tzarevetz Mixed Choir were the many choirs with whom she worked and toured until 1992. In 1992 after the political changes that swept over Eastern Europe she began teaching piano to children in Gorna Oryahouitsa, Bulgaria at the Vicho Grancharov Secondary Comprehensive School. She discovered great enjoyment teaching children to play the piano.
Her father had a lifelong dream of becoming an American. Unfortunately, he did not live to realize his dream, however, Kalina did. In 2003 she immigrated to America. When she deplaned here she spoke 50 words of English, had a 12 year old daughter in tow, 2 suitcases and $500 in her pocket. She gave gumption and fortitude a new dimension. With the support of other Bulgarians as well as the many new friends she has acquired in Jacksonville she has built a successful life and teaching practice for herself.
In 2003 she started out as the Accompanist for the Childrens' Choir, Voices of Grace, at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, FL. She then began developing a piano studio where she taught students individually to play piano. The studio has developed to include several dozen students ranging from 4 years old and including several adult students as well. After beginning work for New Grace Church in Fleming Island in 2006 as Accompanist to the Choir and Organist she had to discontinue working with the Voices of Grace due to time constraints in her schedule.
One of the most influential people in the Americanization of Kalina has been the president of The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Dr. James Hart. He is the former Music Director for New Grace Church and the founder of the children's choir Voices of Grace. He first hired Kalina in her position for the church and as Accompanist for the Voices of Grace despite her difficulty at that time with the English language. To quote Dr. Hart:
She has been a friend and colleague, and consistently displayed the highest moral character both in her personal life and her professional service. Kalina is one of the finest people with whom I have had the privilege of working. She is a diligent worker and a passionate, dedicated and competent teacher and accompanist. Additionally, I have found her to be gifted in her people skills, displaying a servant attitude toward those with whom she associates. She has demonstrated strong organizational skills, promptness for all appointments, and excellent, proactive skills in communication. I strongly recommend her to you without reservation.
Kalina has two grown daughters. Severina is a psychologist who lives in Germany and Anda lives with her here in Jacksonville. She is married to Robert Tindall, a retired businessman.
Kalina's career in music and music education is a dynamic pursuit for excellence and learning new things. She is indeed an extraordinary person.