UM-Flint's Hristova receives 2025 Maynard Klein Award from the American Choral Directors Association

In recognition of her artistic excellence and a lifetime of leadership in the field of choral music, Gabriela Hristova, associate professor of music at the University of Michigan-Flint, received the 2025 Maynard Klein Award from the Michigan chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Hristova received the award during the association's state conference at Alma College, Oct. 17.

"I am humbled and honored beyond measure by this award because it is the highest honor given by the Michigan State Board of Directors of the American Choral Directors Association," said Hristova. "Maynard Klein was a conductor and teacher, but also a visionary who laid the foundations for choral music at the University of Michigan and championed its transformative power. To be an alum of the same institution and among those who have been recipients of this award in the past is a profound privilege."

Recipients of the award must meet an extensive list of criteria, including:

• Excellence in knowledge of their field and are considered an expert by their peers.
• They set high standards for themselves and are enthusiastic about their field.
• Their work demonstrates superior achievement and has earned respect from their colleagues.
• They listen to and communicate effectively with others, including recognizing and encouraging excellence in others and supporting their colleagues.
• They demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in Michigan.
• They have a significant impact on the ACDA-Michigan board of directors, are committed to the association, and are crucial in developing its activities and philosophies.

One of the music professionals who wrote in support of Hristova's nomination is the director of bands and choirs at Powers Catholic High School, Ben Cunningham.

"A campus like the University of Michigan-Flint relies so heavily on the time and talents of every student you can get your hands on, whether they intended to be there or not," wrote Cunningham, who graduated from UM-Flint in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in music. "It is not the place where great musicians simply fall in your lap. It is a place where artists must be found, forged, finessed and made to shine until they are almost unrecognizable from the shy, scared freshmen who walk into the choir room. Yet despite this hardship, the choirs at UM-Flint continue to be at the forefront of musical expression, continually performing new music, introducing countless students who may have never even sung prior to arriving in the choir to the power that choir has over the soul."

Another colleague who championed Hristova is Eugene Rogers, director of choral activities at U-M.

"Gaby, as I affectionately call her, has always impressed me with her rare blend of warmth, skill and humor in everything she does. Taking the reins of a program once led by another beloved Michigan colleague was no easy task, yet Gaby has never shied away from challenge," Rogers wrote. "That fearless spirit is one of the many reasons I admire and love her. Under her direction, the UM–Flint choirs have maintained remarkable excellence and rigor, even through seasons of leadership transitions, budget constraints, and enrollment shifts."

Echoing Rogers' sentiments on Hristova's impact was Matthew Thompson, assistant professor of voice and opera at U-M's School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

"Renowned as an authority on Bulgarian vocal music, Dr. Hristova bridges her own cultural background with scholarship, expanding access to Bulgarian vocal repertoire through both publications and performances," he wrote. "Her leadership of the Summer Vocal Academy, an essential music education initiative in the Flint region, has nurtured many young musicians and strengthened the musical community right here. Dr. Hristova's service as clinician and/or adjudicator for nearly 100 events across Michigan further underscores her statewide influence."

"This award serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with being a musician: to inspire, to teach and to serve. It comes with a commitment to nurturing future generations, whether through conducting, teaching, or community outreach, and that music is a means for positive change and personal growth," said Hristova. "Ultimately, this award is both a celebration of past accomplishments and a charge for continued service. I am inspired to carry forward Professor Klein's legacy by dedicating myself to the ongoing spirit and vitality of our field.

"Accomplishments never happen in a vacuum. I am filled with gratitude for the support of my colleagues at UM-Flint, my Fine and Performing Arts Department, the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, and all the hard-working people behind the scenes who make things possible. It is the shared mission of our work and collective commitment to our institution and students that lead to milestones such as this. I feel proud to be a music professor at the University of Michigan-Flint, which has provided me with many opportunities, support, and a welcoming place to practice my profession," Hristova said.