ATHENS — The UGA Performing Arts Center will present award-winning violinist Bella Hristova in concert at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, in Ramsey Concert Hall.

Hristova won First Prize in the 2008-2009 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, making her debut in the YCA series the following season at Merkin Concert Hall in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

In reviews of her recitals, The Washington Post noted Hristova's "impressive power and control," and The New York Times cited her "expressive nuance."

The Strad magazine commented, "She plays with passion from the very first note. Every sound she draws is superb."

Among her other international awards, Hristova won First Prize at the 2007 Michael Hill International Competition in New Zealand, followed by a critically acclaimed concert tour of the country.

She was awarded a career grant from the Salon de Virtuosi in New York and is a Laureate of the 2006 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.

She has also appeared on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" on National Public Radio.

A native of Pleven, Bulgaria, Hristova began violin studies at age 6. At 12, she participated in master classes at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Since age 13, she has lived in the United States, where she has studied at the Curtis Institute and Indiana University.

Hristova plays a 1655 Nicolò Amati violin, once owned by violinist Louis Krasner. She will be accompanied by Lithuanian pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute.

The recital will be recorded for broadcast on American Public Media's "Performance Today."

Tickets are $25 and are free for UGA students with valid UGA ID card.

Tickets can be purchased online at pac.uga.edu or by calling 706-542-4400 or toll free at 888-289-8497.