Ivan was born in Pernik, Bulgaria, and studied violin at the National Academy of Music in Sofia with Verka Stefanova and Yosif Radionov. He then studied with Anton Steck at the Hochschule für Musik in Trossingen. Ivan has participated in masterclasses with members of the Amadeus, Smetana and Bartok quartets. He was a prize-winner at the Young Music Talents National Competition in Sofia and at the National Academy of Music for performance of chamber music by contemporary Bulgarian composers. He is a member of Concerto Antico, and with them performed at the Festival de Musica Antiga in Barcelona, as well as at the Fabulous Fringe series of the Oude Muziek Festival in Utrecht. Ivan is a co-founder of Ars Barocca, which was named Ensemble of the Year 2007 by Bulgarian National Radio. Since 2008 he has been working with Erik Bosgraaf and Ensemble Cordevento for a series of concerts and CDs for Brilliant Classics.