Valerie is a passionate and enthusiastic flautist, who began her musical journey aged 40, having never played music before. She studied first with Francoise Allix, then Niall O’Riordan and to this day Barbara Ogar.
Her love for the flute has led her to attend the James Galway International Flute Festival and Masterclass several times, where she has been inspired by playing alongside and learning from some of the best flautists in the world, including Sir James Galway himself. Her debut solo performance on the flute was at the 2011 festival, where she performed La Vie en Rose, accompanied by Michael McHale. Sir James Galway joined in and duetted with her at the end of the piece!
Valerie met her current teacher Barbara at the festival in 2008 and they soon became very close friends. They have exchanged visits and stayed at each other’s homes in France and the USA several times. Barbara invited Valerie to perform with her students in her charity-driven Christmas Concert, where she again performed La Vie en Rose, this time singing.
Since moving to England from France 4 years ago, she has continued to develop her skills and keep her musical life thriving by becoming a much-valued member of Chertsey Orchestra, Woking Wind Orchestra and of course the Musica Sempre Trio. In addition, she has spent the last 2 years as a student of The Rock Project Encore Chertsey, where she is expanding her music even further and exploring her rock and roll side by learning to play the drums. Always eager for another challenge, she also bought an alto saxophone and is learning to play that too.
