anna-maria ravnopolska-dean was born in sofia. she studied with the italian professor and harpist liana pasquali and continued her education in the usa with the pre-eminent harpist and professor susann mcdonald, at indiana university, bloomington. both of her teachers were students of the french harp school; marcel tournier (liana pasquali) and henriette renie (susann mcdonald). at the indiana university school of music, anna-maria was awarded an artist diploma for 'superior artistic achievement in harp performance'. she made her new york début at carnegie hall's weill recital hall in 1992. anna-marie had previously been introduced to american audiences on the 'mcgraw-hill young artists showcase' of wqxr radio in new york, and later participated in a series of notable international competitions, including those of gargilesse in berry, munich, and jerusalem.