About the Instructor
Heather McGlaughlin Batey holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Mississippi and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with K-12 teaching certification in both Vocal / Choral and Instrumental Music from Harding University. She has 25+ years of experience teaching voice and piano to students from elementary age through college and adult learners.
She is a member of several professional music teachers’ organizations, including MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), AMTA, (Alabama Music Teachers Association), BTMA (Birmingham Music Teachers Association), and NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing).
Mrs. Batey is the counselor for the Bella Musica Junior Music Club, an active member of the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs (AFMC). Her students participate in festivals, contests, scholarship competitions, and other events sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC).
Mrs. Batey has appeared as a soprano soloist with the Steel City Men's Chorus (featured guest for December 2014 holiday show), the Alabama Symphony Chorus, the Alabama Symphony, South City Theatre, and Over The Mountain Choral Festivals. She is a member of and soloist for the Lee Scott Singers, who perform and record original compositions of renowned Birmingham composer K. Lee Scott. Mrs. Batey has been a member of the Choir of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), whose daily mass broadcasts reach millions of viewers in 140 countries. She is also a soprano soloist and section leader at South Highland Presbyterian church in Birmingham.
Mrs. Batey has sung with Opera Birmingham since 1998, where she has performed in productions of Orfeo, Madama Butterfly, Carmen, La Traviata, The Magic Flute, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Aida, as well as performing solos for various charitable events for the company, and their new series of pop-up concerts, Opera Shots. She has performed with Birmingham-based sacred vocal group Colla Voce, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Banks, and is also a member of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Philip Copeland. She also gives frequent recitals and other performances.
In addition to public school teaching experience that ranges from middle school through university levels, Mrs. Batey has over 25 years’ teaching experience in the private studio, and maintains a busy teaching and performing schedule. Her students have been accepted into competitive music programs like the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall NYC, and the Kennedy Center Summer Opera Program. Her student been awarded generous college voice scholarships, and are regular winners at competitions sponsored by MTNA, NATS, and the Alabama state Trumbauer drama competition. She and her husband Patrick live in Pelham with two cuddly and spoiled cats, Charlie and Grayson, and their sweet pup, studio mascot and official greeter Penelope Jane (P.J.), a friendly mutt who loves everyone and everything.
