Zlatina Staykova is a native of Bulgaria, who grew up in a family of folklore music educators and began playing the cello in her parents' ensemble for traditional music. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a M.M. and D.M. in cello performance from the Florida State University College of Music.

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Zlatina is a faculty member at Heartwood Suzuki School. In addition to her private students at Heartwood Suzuki, she teaches Introductory Strings to students at seven Tallahassee elementary schools, and performs regularly with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and Mobile Symphony Orchestra.

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Among other things, Zlatina loves to sing and is a member of the choir at St. John's Episcopal Church — the very home of Heartwood Suzuki School. Zlatina and her husband Boyan Bonev have two children; everyone in the family plays an instrument and they all enjoy playing together.