Learn more about Dr. Batchvarova

Dr. Madlen Batchvarova is a dynamic conductor, pianist, singer, music educator, clinician, adjudicator and Grammy Award recipient who is equally adept with classical and multicultural repertoire. Currently, she serves as professor of music, director of choral programs and department of music chair at Hanover College, Ind., where she conducts the concert choir and chamber singers also teaches conducting, private voice and piano, as well as music history.

Batchvarova made her debut as a conductor with the Plovdiv Academy Women’s Choir of Bulgaria. She has conducted the ensemble in concerts in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria, French Cultural Institute in Plovdiv, as well as the International Choral Festival in Preveza, Greece.

Batchvarova has honed her ability to communicate with choirs while performing and recording under the baton of Maestro Robert Shaw and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus. Highlights of her participation with the ensemble include a Grammy Award, Carnegie Hall concerts and participation at the opening ceremonies of the centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.

In addition to her demanding teaching and performing schedule, Batchvarova maintains an active national and international career. In 2009, she made her conducting debut at the prestigious Musikverein Golden Hall, the home of Vienna Philharmonic, as part of the International Haydn Festival celebrating the creative output of the Viennese Classic. Recently, she conducted the Plovdiv Academy Women’s Reunion Choir in the world premiere performance of a new jazz-classical styles fusion choral work.

Her accomplishments include conducting appearances, workshops, scholarly presentations and publications at the University of Granada, Spain, University of Coimbra, Escola Superior de Musica and Carlucci American International School, Portugal, the Palace of Culture in Sofia, Academy for Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, and Thracian University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

Batchvarova is a regular presenter of interest and reading sessions at the state and division conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. She also serves as a historical/performance practice of Bulgarian/Russian music consultant for choirs and other musical organizations across the United States. In August 2017, she joined the international editorial and scientific board of the journal, DEDiCA. Revista de Educação e Humanidades/Journal of Education and the Humanities at the University of Granada, Spain.

Batchvarova is in demand as a guest clinician and conductor. She has conducted festival, honor and all-state choirs in Canada, Austria, Bulgaria, Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. She is also active as an adjudicator for national, regional and state vocal solo and choral competitions for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA), American Choral Director Association (ACDA), and Music in the Parks, Inc. She has been a member of the jury at the International Choral Festival in Preveza, Greece, the student conductor’s competition at the 2007 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Convention and the 2016 ACDA National Convention Multicultural Honor Choir.

An accomplished pianist, Batchvarova collaborates and performs regularly with instrumental and vocal soloists. With organist David Lamb, Batchvarova has played world premieres of new compositions and released a piano-organ CD, “Duetti Capricciosi.” Recently, her voice-piano duet, M&M, with singer Dr. Minnita Daniel-Cox, completed a concert tour to Bulgaria. 

Batchvarova is a voting member of the National Academy for Recording Arts and Sciences for the Grammy Awards, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), American Guild of Organists (AGO), College Music Society (CMS) and Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society. She has also served on the American Choral Directors Association’s Indiana State and Central Division executive boards as the ethnic and multicultural perspectives chair.

Education

B.M., Plovdiv Academy for Music & Dance Art

M.M., Georgia State University

D.M.A., University of Alabama