A native of Bulgaria, Peter is an accomplished choreographer, dance teacher and performer. Founder of Ludo Mlado in 2002, his goal is to make Bulgarian folk dance and music accessible to a wider audience.
Prior to his departure for the US, Peter was dancing professionally with “Rodopa” State Folk Dance Ensemble. Since the age of seven he has danced with numerous school ensembles many of which won outstanding awards in city-wide and national-international competitions.

Since arriving in USA in 1993, Peter has taught many classes and workshops throughout the United States. His first major appearance as a choreographer and dancer in USA was in 1994 during the opening ceremony of soccer’s World Cup with Chicago- based folk dance group “Balkanski Igre” representing his native country, Bulgaria. From 1994 to present, Peter and his groups have participated in a wide range of dance festivals throughout the United States.

Marieta Mircheva has been a dedicated member of the Ludo Mlado Dance Ensemble since 2004. Today, Marieta plays an important role in Ludo Mlado as a manager, choreographer, and performer, helping shape and support the ensemble through her experience and dedication.

Marieta is a Bulgarian native who began dancing at an early age and has dedicated much of her life to Bulgarian folk dance and performance. By the age of 13, she had already participated in more than 100 performances and several European dance tours as a member of the Folk Dance Ensemble “Zdravets.” In 1998, Marieta graduated from the National School of Dance Art in Sofia, Bulgaria, with a major in Bulgarian Folk Dance. After moving to the United States, she founded “The Roses,” the first Bulgarian folk dance performing group in the Boston area. In 2016, Marieta founded the Bulgarian Folk Dance Club 7/8, where she teaches Bulgarian folk dances to children, teens, and adults. Through her involvement with Ludo Mlado and Folk Dance Club 7/8, Marieta continues to share her love of Bulgarian folk dance and helps keep this rich tradition alive for future generations.

Neli has the passion for Bulgarian folk dance since she was a little girl. Following her sisters footsteps, she joined dance ensemble “Zdravets” in Sofia, Bulgaria at the age of 9. When Neli moved to Boston, she became a member of the performing dance formation “The Roses”. In 2004 she joined Ludo Mlado dance ensemble and has performed with the ensemble ever since. Neli enjoys following the spirit and the energy of the Bulgarian tradition and learning about the different aspects of the beautiful Bulgarian culture.

Daniela Stoudenkova grew up in Kyustendil, a small town in Western Bulgaria. Although she had no prior experience with Bulgarian folklore, she has always had a passion for dancing. Her first exposure to the beauty of Bulgarian dance was through classes led by Pepi Petrov. She joined ensemble Ludo Mlado in 2011 and has been an active member ever since.

Leny was born and raised in the US. She grew up in the Bulgarian community of New England, and volunteered at picnics, concerts, and other events. As a child, she learned Bulgarian Folk dance basics from one of Ludo Mlado’s talented members, Mariela Mihaleva. As Leny grew, her so did her passion and pride for Bulgarian culture and history. She and her friends would recite Bulgarian poems, revolutionary and folk songs, and would always be the first to join in Dunavsko Horo. She always loved watching Ludo Mlado on stage and was inspired to participate in another of Bulgaria’s beautiful traditions. 

Hi my name is Elizabeth Vetzev, and I’m a senior at Andover High School. I’ve been dancing for ten years, and I’m coming up on my third year dancing with Ludo Mlado. I play varsity tennis at my high school, and I’m involved in many clubs such as Senior Board, National Honor Society executive board, Formula One Club, DECA, and more. I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember and it has become a huge part of my life. I am very proud to show people this part of my Bulgarian Culture. I’ve met amazing people and made amazing friends over the last ten years. Dance has become a huge part of my life, and I have loved every minute of it! 

Karina Anastasia has been dancing Bulgarian folk dances since she was five years old and is now celebrating 10 years of sharing her love for Bulgarian music, dance, and traditions. She is a proud member of both 7/8 Ensemble and Ludo Mlado, representing Bulgarian culture through performances across the United States and Canada. Karina grew up in the Bulgarian community of New England and is deeply involved in preserving and sharing her heritage. She is an assistant teacher at the Bulgarian school in Boston and volunteers with the Bulgarian church and the Bulgarian Center of New England. Karina truly loves dancing, and her passion for Bulgarian culture is immeasurable. Through every dance, she carries the spirit, traditions, and beauty of Bulgaria with pride and joy.

Vincent Anastasia was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in the Bulgarian community of New England. He began dancing Bulgarian folk dances at an early age, took a break, and is now excited to be dancing again as a member of Ludo Mlado, the Bulgarian folk ensemble in Boston. Although he grew up in a Bulgarian – American family, Vincent has a deep love for the Bulgarian language, culture, and traditions. He is also active in the Bulgarian community, volunteering at the Bulgarian church and Bulgarian Center of New England and serving as an assistant teacher at the Bulgarian school in Boston. Vincent is proud to share his heritage through dance and excited to represent Bulgarian culture across the United States and Canada.

Rostislav is born in Bulgaria and developed his passion for traditional dancing while still in his home country. Upon his move to Boston he found out about Ludo Mlado and became a member and a very active advocate of the group within months.

Svetla Marachenska (Petkova) grew up in a small town called Pravets, located in the Balkan mountain. She had no experience in Folklore dancing when she came to Boston but deep in her heart she had a strong passion for it. She found out about the ensemble Ludo Mlado from its choreographer, Pepi Petrov and decided to join the dance group in the spring of 2014. Since then she is an active member of the ensemble and continues to spread the fascinating myths and legends through folklore dancing.

Teddy grew up in Ezkar losif village in Bulgaria. Her parents exposed her to the rich traditions of Bulgarian folklore where she learned a deep appreciation of Bulgarian culture. She has always been passionate about Bulgarian Dance, and when she was presented with a chance to join Ludo Mlado, she seized the opportunity and has been dancing with them since 2017.

Anna grew up in a small town in Northern Bulgaria where the lively local festivities (sabors) and traditional ceremonies kindled her interest in folklore at an early age. Anna joined the town’s folk dance ensemble where she learned from accomplished choreographers and performed along experienced dancers throughout her youth years.

Upon coming to Boston to further her education, Anna became part of the esteemed Ahmet Luleci’s Collage Dance Ensemble, where she performed for 8 years on local and national stages . With the start of her own family in Boston, Anna felt the need to be more involved in the local Bulgarian community. This is when she joined Ludo Mlado, a Bulgarian folk ensemble led by Pepi Petrov and Marieta Mircheva. Anna connected with Ludo Mlado’s mission to preserve the rich dance traditions of Bulgaria.

Elena Belin is an art teacher and artist that gets inspiration for her work from the rich Bulgarian folklore and culture. Growing up in Bulgaria she learned a lot of folk songs and she likes to sing them. While living in California, Elena become a member of Zhena Folk Chorus and sang with them for 2 years, but she didn’t have prior dance experience before moving to Boston. In 2005 she tried the Folk dance classes led by Pepi Petrov and there she learned her first dance steps. She joined Ludo Mlado in the Fall of 2019, but she had to wait another 2 years for her first stage performance due to the Covid’19 Pandemic.