Krasen Ivanov was born on June 18, 1955, in the town of Razgrad, Bulgaria.

As a student, he studied piano at the “Iliya Burnev” Music School under the tutelage of piano teacher Rutska Tsolova, a student of Dimitar Nenov.

He graduated from the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov”, in the class of choral conducting of Prof. Dimitar Ruskov. During his studies, he also attended composition classes with Prof. Alexander Tanev and symphonic conducting with Prof. Vladi Simeonov. He completed his education with honors, earning a degree in opera and symphonic conducting in the class of Prof. Ivan Bakalov.

In the summer of 1982, he specialized in orchestral conducting in Weimar, Germany, in the class of Prof. Rolf Reuter. Later, in 1986 – 1987, he continued his specialization in opera and symphonic conducting at the Moscow “P. I. Tchaikovsky” Conservatory in the class of Prof. Gennady Rozhdestvensky.

Since 1979, Krasen Ivanov has been the conductor of the Razgrad Philharmonic “Prof. Dimitar Nenov”, and since 2013 – its director. He has also conducted the Burgas and Shumen Philharmonic Orchestras.

In 1994, Ivanov revived the four-voiced Mixed Church Choir at the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Razgrad. Since 1995, he has been the conductor of the “Zhelezni Struni” Choir at the “Razvitie 1869” Cultural Center. In 2010, he has founded a Youth Vocal Studio within the “Razvitie” Cultural Center and the “Zhelezni Struni” Musical Society.

In 2004, Krasen Ivanov was awarded the prestigious “Nikola Ikonomov” prize by the Municipality of Razgrad. In 2005, he received the “Golden Lyre” award from the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers. In 2018, he was named an Honorary Citizen of Razgrad.

In 2016, the “Music World – Balchik” Association published a collection of his choral arrangements. His choral compositions have won first prizes in composition competitions held during the May International Choir Competition in the city of Varna.