Mariya Valchanova

MARIYA VALCHANOVA is a distinguished choral conductor, musicologist, and performer. She graduated from the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music in Sofia with three majors: viola, musicology, and choral conducting. In 2013, she was awarded a Ph.D. in Music from the Institute for Art Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Her dissertation, entitled The Introduction and Establishment of Russian Polyphonic Church Choral Singing in Bulgarian Church Music from the Liberation (1878) to the Mid‑20th Century. Her professional career began in the field of church choral art - from 2004 to 2012, she served as conductor of the Women’s Choir at the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker, in Sofia. Since 2008, she has been the conductor of the Chamber Choir of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, with which she has performed extensively both in Bulgaria and abroad. Under her leadership, the BAS Choir has won numerous international awards, including: Third Prize at the 35^th International Festival of Orthodox Music in Hajnówka (Poland), two silver medals at the Antonio Vivaldi International Competition, Third Prize at the International Choral Competition in Paralia Katerini (Greece), Third Prize in the Chamber Choirs category at the Prof. G. Dimitrov International May Choral Competition in Varna, Award for Best Program Selection and Best Performance of Music by Ivan Spasov, as well as First Prize and Grand Prix at the 3^rd International Competition for Sacred Music in Popovo. Since 2007, she has been the violist of the acclaimed Frosh String Quartet, performing extensively in Bulgaria and internationally and recording for Bulgarian National Radio. In 2020, she joined the “Classica” team of BNR’s Hristo Botev program as a music editor, author, and host of classical music broadcasts. In 2022, she was appointed assistant conductor of the Patriarchal Cathedral Choir at the St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church, and since September 2025, she has been the choirmaster of the National Philharmonic Choir. Her professional development includes participation in international master classes, including those led by Prof. Erwin Ortner (Austria) and Andreas Hermann (Germany). She has authored scholarly publications on the influence of Russian church music on Bulgarian musical culture, as well as studies on Bulgarian composers and the development of choral art in the country. Mariya Valchanova is deeply involved in conducting, performing, and academic work, uniting practical musicianship with a sustained interest in choral and sacred musical traditions.