ABOUT VALERIE
Valerie Sorel’s thirty-year international performance history pairs with a multifaceted scientific background, making hers one of the most informed pedagogical approaches in music today.
Over 35 years of international performance career, combined with an eclectic musical and scientific background, have made Valerie Sorel one of the most sought-after vocal pedagogues and clinicians in the lyric world today.
Lessons are tailored to the student’s immediate needs and draw upon Valerie’s years of study of the human anatomy, electro-acoustics, psychology (focusing on P.T.S.D. and trauma), functional fitness training, cognitive and behavioral studies, rehabilitation from neurological injuries, as well as her own work as a certified animal behaviorist. Valerie’s work in each lesson is to enable smooth neurological pathways to the instrument and bio-mechanic availability, thus allowing the act of singing to become a reflex that expresses the individual’s musicality. Problems are tackled with the practical goal of improving how the singers relate to their instrument by expanding range, flexibility, resilience, coordination, expression, and overall vocal comfort; in short, a voice lesson with Valerie Sorel is not a cookie-cutter event.
Singers come to Valerie from a wide variety of backgrounds: opera, musical theater, jazz, folk, R & B, choral, bluegrass etc. Her studio comprises not only professional singers with international careers, but also high school students preparing auditions for colleges and conservatories, and absolute beginners who want to discover their voice. It is interesting to note that, after only a few years of lessons with Valerie, many "amateurs" are ready to make a successful transition to the professional world.
Valerie's students can be seen performing in many prestigious places and venues such as: the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Teatro La Fenice, New York City Opera, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Sydney Opera House, Semperoper Dresden, San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program, Washington Opera, Seattle Opera. Valerie’s students can also be seen at prestigious Bluegrass, Folk, and Jazz Festivals. Many of her students are winners, finalists or award recipients from organizations such as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Tony Awards, the George London Foundation, BBC Cardiff Singers of the World, Tenor Viñas Competition, Moniuszko Competition, and many more.
The excellence of Valerie’s teaching was recognized in 2006 by the Metropolitan Opera, who included her name on its very exclusive list of approved teachers. She also collaborated with Jason Williams and P. Diddy (Making the Band) in their project of helping underprivileged young adults stay out of trouble and embrace their love for music through singing. In August 2014, she joined the voice faculty of the Venice Opera Project. She was a member of the famous sound engineering team of Perry Studio in Quebec, and is still in high demand as an “ear” for recording projects.
Valerie keeps in touch with her ever-expanding international studio through Skype and online media. Singers worldwide can enjoy the benefits of full-fledged voice lessons, without the added expenses of travel and accommodation. In-person lessons are taught in her spacious studio equipped with not only a concert grand piano and the standard equipment of an efficient vocal studio, but also a cutting-edge gym. Her equipment includes an Arc Trainer, Octane X-ride, three spin bicycles, a rowing machine, a TRX, and other core-strengthening & breath-building facilitators. Valerie’s lessons focus on technique, but she is happy to work with pianists and singers in tandem for preparation of specific roles. Valerie is currently a Teaching Artist at The Hartt School, University of Hartford, where she has a full studio. In the Fall of 2023, Valerie was invited to be a Guest Teacher at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Ferris University, Tokoha University and the Sogakukai Association.