Valentine or Val (they/them) is a singer-songwriter, electronic producer, actor, playwright and apprentice sound engineer from Worthington, MN. They have been performing from as early as six years old, singing in talent shows, musicals and choir. They picked up the guitar at age 14 and immediately joined a punk band with their middle school friends, opening up their love for rock and contemporary music. They balanced this with their classical training as they participated in all-state choir, jazz band, concert band and the MMEA honor choir directed by Eric Whitacre.
Val went on to leave their small town early, and finished their high schooling at Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley, MN. There, they studied theatre and music and developed their personal sound and artistic ideologies. Val went on to complete a BFA in Acting and Theatre Arts at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point in 2023. Val began their teaching journey in 2018, as a voice and guitar teacher at She Rock Girls Rock and Roll Retreat. They moved back to the Twin Cities to begin a teaching career and have since found their home at Blue Tree. Val is also an apprentice engineer at Soft Cult Studios in Northeast Minneapolis, and is the front “man” of their folk rock band, Oceanographer.
Val is extremely passionate about access to music education for all, particularly those who experience poverty. Val’s family immigrated here from Caracas, Venezuela as refugees, and they often felt as though they didn’t have access to the same opportunities their peers did. Val hopes to break this barrier within education, as well as create a welcoming environment for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ kids and teens, as they themself are a part of both communities.
Val offers beginner and intermediate lessons in guitar, voice, ukulele, piano and bass.
Val teaches on TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS and has slots available NOW!