Donald Batchelder is Principal Trumpet of the New York City Opera Orchestra, where he has played full-time since 2000. Recognized as an outstanding free-lance trumpeter in the New York area since 1983, he performs frequently with the Metropolitan Opera, the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the American Symphony, and on Broadway. In addition to his work with the New York City Opera, Mr. Batchelder holds the principal trumpet chairs in the Westfield (NJ) Symphony and the Stamford (CT) Symphony.

 Mr. Batchelder earned both a Bachelors and a Masters Degree from the Juilliard School, where he studied with William Vacchiano and Mel Broiles. Other influential teachers include Vince Penzarella, Arnold Jacobs and Philip Smith. Among Mr. Batchelder's recent solo appearances: When Speaks the Signal-Trumpet Tone by David Gillingham, with the Ridgewood Concert Band; the Shostakovich Concerto for Piano and Trumpet with both the Stamford Symphony and the New York Virtuosi; the world premiere of Trent Johnson's Concertino for Trumpet and Organ; David Sampson's Triptych with the Westfield Symphony; and Herbert L. Clarke's Southern Cross with the Goldman Band. Mr. Batchelder joined the music faculty of Montclair State University in September 2000.