"WHAT'S a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?" Picture the city of Sofia in shades of grey. It was 1990 and Bulgaria was still clothed in communism- no fuel, unpredictable electricity and water, and shortages of food. That famous line from an old, romantic American film resonates with Laura Giosh-Markov's introduction to Bulgaria. Indeed, what was a young American, hot off the Paris stage, doing in an Eastern Bloc country at the close of the Cold War? Perhaps, even more importantly, 15 years later, what is that girl-turned-woman doing now?
Last week, a record number of Bulgarians tuned their televisions to the first week of Nova Televisia's Star Academy. Riding the wave of success created by Big Brother, this new weekly competition is Bulgaria's second look at "reality television". Fourteen young people ranging in age from 17 to 26 have been chosen from 3000 contestants hoping to see their name in lights. They will sing, dance, and charm their way into Bulgarian homes for the next 14 weeks until finally, only one contestant will remain standing. Starting last week, this group of hopefuls began life together in a house dramatically cut-off from the outside world. Further complicating the issue, cameras document the activity and emotions of the house and its inhabitants around the clock. A panel, consisting of well-known celebrities, combined with a public opinion poll, will determine whose dream ends each week.
On its debut evening, Star Academy introduced viewers to the panel of judges as well as the talent coaches preparing the young star-hopefuls for their weekly competition. One of the faces participating, both as a judge and as a talent coach was Giosh-Markov's.
Of the new series, Giosh-Markov draws a parallel to the movie "Fame" in which a group of talented young adults overcome their personal trials to achieve their dreams. She believes that if you work hard enough, your dreams can come true and says this has been true for her personally and that it is becoming a reality for the emerging entertainers of Star Academy.
As Giosh-Markov works with the group each week to coach them in their performances of songs in English, she offers her advice: "Each person in that house has to get past the cameras, the audience, and the competition in order to discover and convey the songs chosen for them in their own personal style." She believes that the winner of the competition will be the person who successfully combines their talents into a package delivered in their own unique and intriguing way, reaching past the cameras, the audiences, and the competition to connect with Bulgarians sitting in their living rooms. One of the most challenging aspects of this series is the constant video feed, of which she comments, "The camera is an extra pressure that will make or break them."
She advised the group to resist avoiding the ever-documenting eye while working on song texts. Instead, they should boldly look into the camera and practice texts combining technical aspects with emotional interpretation.
This music teacher-cum-talent-coach has personal performance experience from which she draws her advice. Having studied opera, she has learned to interpret and perform songs in different languages. Since many of the songs for this competition are in English, these are important skills to convey to this Bulgarian group. She also understands the pressure of live performance, having mastered a variety of roles, including Griddlebones and Gumbie Cat, in the Broadway musical Cats performed on the stage in Paris.
Paris holds specific precedence in her heart for it is there that she first met Konstantin Markov. The Bulgarian rock star, and his rock group, "Tangra", were famous in Russia and Western Europe in the 80s. In 1990, she agreed to come with him to Bulgaria.
As his American wife, she was a bit of an oddity. It was not a normal occurrence to find an American on the streets of Sofia in those days. People knew her because she was an American and they found it difficult to understand why the Markovs chose to remain in Bulgaria when they could have easily led the "good life" in America.
Life was difficult especially in the first two years - they had little money and no car. The country was suffering from the aftermath of communism. Giosh-Markov says that her husband, Koce, was determined to stay in Bulgaria to help "rebuild" the country. The choice to stay was a good one. In 1992, he started Radio Tangra. Today, Koce Markov is the chairman of the Bulgarian Broadcasters' Association, as well as the producer of the Bulgarian Top 100 weekly hit song chart.
Laura's first job in Bulgaria was at the French school where she taught English. She then transitioned to teaching French and music at the Anglo-American School of Sofia. Her teaching repertoire spans music, French and theatre, with growing attention to the social and emotional issues of students.
Her Master's degree is in guidance counselling. She has combined her different areas of expertise in guiding students to create their own musical shows around the social and emotional issues that are important in their lives. Her dream is to share this student-centred model and arts integration techniques with Bulgarian teachers. Giosh-Markov hopes that the increased publicity that Star Academy brings will open doors to share new information with teachers here.
This teacher/entertainer has also found a measure of success with the production of her first CD called "Flower Power" (learn more about it at www.cdbaby.com/cd/giosh). Her lively music and lyrics provide a fun avenue for kids to learn English. Her second CD, "Fun 2B Songs ... A Spider in My Underwear Drawer" is coming out soon. "We're looking for sponsors who are interested in promoting quality children's music here that entertains and educates." Inspiration for her music comes from day to day life with her daughter, Nicole, and from teaching. City rhythms as well as long walks in Bulgaria's beautiful nature seem to help synthesise the melodies with the words.
This newest opportunity with Star Academy came as a surprise. When first contacted about coaching the performers, she consented, only later realising that this meant she would be on television. It was quite a shock. Still, she has embraced this new role in the public eye with a positive spirit that endears her, both to the viewers and to the performers with whom she works. Doubtless, those years on a Paris stage were solid training for the weekly live performance she will be giving over the next few months.
For Laura Giosh-Markov, it is evident that the last fifteen years have been a diverse array of professional challenges and successes. Watching the grey tones of Communism blend into the coloured dimensions of an emerging, new Bulgaria has surely lent depth to the well of experience from which she draws. Observing this creative personality transition from a classroom French teacher into a Star Academy talent coach, one could easily drop the cynical tone of the question and on any given day, appropriately ask, "What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?"