Panka Pelishek

Panka Pelishek (; 25 May 1899 – 17 January 1990) was a Bulgarian pianist and music teacher. She played as a soloist and a chamber musician, particularly known for performing Beethoven's works. In teaching, she encouraged students to follow "their own artistic path".

Pelishek toured with the singer Konstanca Kirova before she returned home to Bulgaria in 1923. There, she became a frequent concert performer, as both a soloist and in collaboration with other musicians, including the Avramov Quartet. She became renowned for her performances of Ludwig van Beethoven's works. Pelishek continued actively performing on stage until 1950.

She began her teaching career while she was still a student, teaching at the music school in Plovdiv from 1923 to 1925; she taught at the Sofia State Conservatory from 1925. In 1931, she became a professor at the academy, a role she held until 1977. Svetla Protich, Ventsislav Yankov and Dimitar Sagaev were among her students. A commemorative essay published in 1979 in praised Pelishek:

Awards Pelishek was awarded the title People's Artist of Bulgaria in 1969. Ten years later she became a Commander of the Order of Georgi Dimitrov and a Heroine of Socialist Labor. An award for music teachers was named after her.