Ivo Varbanov was born in Pleven (Bulgaria) and started studying the piano at the age of six in his home town. In 1981 he moved to Italy and studied in Milan under the guidance of the well-known Hungarian teacher Ylonka Deckers until the time of his graduation in 1993.
From 1993 till 1995 he studied with the Russian pianist Sulamita Aronowsky. In 1996 the Rotary Foundation(USA) awarded him a two-years-scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Professor Frank Wibaut. He has played in masterclasses in Italy (Alexander Lonquich), France (Lev Naoumov), and England (Peter Katin and Barry Douglas).
He has performed with orchestras, solo recitals and given chamber music concerts in Bulgaria, Italy, the UK, Germany, France and Holland. In 1998 was released his first CD with piano works by M.Mussorgsky for Gega New Ltd.(worldwide distribution). The recording was higly praised in music magazines such as BBC Music Magazine, Kultura, Suono and HFN&RR. In 1999 he will perform as a soloist with the St.Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra and the Sofia Soloists. He will also give solo, duo (with cellist Seeli Toivio) concerts in Italy, France, the UK, Bulgaria and Finland.