Drenikov has played as soloist with a number of internationally renowned orchestras across the world. He has given hundreds of concerts in the most prestigious concert halls of Europe, the USA, Japan, South America and Australia and has performed at reputable concert cycles. Ivan Drenikov studied at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, the Santa Cecilia Academy in Rome and the Academy of Music in Vienna (on a Herder scholarship). His teachers Pantcho Vladigerov,Vincenzo Vitale, Richard Hauser and Josef Dichler greatly admired his talent. In 1968 Ivan Drenikov became a regular student of the great pianist A. B. Michelangeli doing his courses in Bergamo, Lugano and San Berbardo di Rabbi. During this period Drenikov was a frequent guest at Michelangeli's house and had the privilege of receiving professional advice from the great pianist through his personal contact with him and of earning his respect. At present Drenikov is a professor in piano at the National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, Bulgaria.