Julian Kovatchev studied violin and at the age of five he made his first public concert. After his first music studies in Sofia the family moved to Germany, near Salzburg, where he studied with Franz Samohyl

Julian Kovatchev was awarded by Karajan during the last edition of the prestigious contest organized by himself in 1984. In 1985 he made his debut at the Teatro Verdi of Trieste with Jenufa of Janàcek