Job History

Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc.

Director, People to People Project (2009 - Present)

One Tunnel Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28805

• Evaluated requests for assistance from musicians across the globe
• Coordinated fundraising efforts undertaken by collegiate and alumnae chapters
• Formalized shipping routes to Haiti for the secure delivery of materials
• Created relationships with instrument dealers and music store owners

The Opera Theater of Lakeland

Director of Educational Outreach (2008 – 2009)

• Created, coordinated and presented all educational outreach programs for OTL including in-school performances and public attendance at open dress rehearsals
• Developed all educational outreach and promotional materials
• Built collaborative relationships with arts administrators, theater boards, school teachers and other local and regional professional artists and organizations
• Served as liaison between school officials (K-12 and college/universities) and OTL
• Coordinated local and regional auditions for OTL
• Organized successful Toys-for-Tots drive.

The Tuesday Music Club of Lakeland

Chair, Programs Committee (2008 - 2010)

• Coordinated eight-month season of programs for monthly meetings including the annual Members’ Showcase and the Sunday Musicale
• Wrote press releases and notices for local and regional media
• Designed and Served as web master for newly created TMC web site: Musicclublakeland.org

Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity

Chair, Honorary Membership Committee (2006 – 2009)

• Evaluated applications submitted by national and international chapters
• Reviewed and coordinated committee members evaluation of applications
• Corresponded with nominating chapters, VP of Membership and National Executive Director

Macon Music Teachers Association

Vice-President of Programs (2002 – 2004)

• Created nine-month season of programs and concerts for members and the Macon community
• Contracted with artists, organized member recitals, publicized all events, and served as front-of-house manager for all events

MidSummer Macon

Coordinator of Vocal Area Summers (2002, 2003)

• Created a comprehensive course of study in voice for residential summer music study including applied voice lessons, recital performance classes, musical theater classes, and music theory
• Performed Headliner concerts with guests pianists John Roberts and Susan McDuffie
• Designed courses in recital preparation, musical theater repertoire, and performance class
• Prepared end of term reports reviewing student successes and achievements

Lexington County Arts Association

Coordinator and Instructor, Lexington Lights (Summer 1998)

• Created a six-week season of summer classes for school age children
• Hired instructors, recruited students, advertised and promoted the season
• Taught Musical Theater and Audition Training classes

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

Vocal Area Coordinator (Summer 1992)

• Oversaw music for inaugural season of the 8-Week Theater Camp
• Served as vocal coach, teacher and choir master
• Served as rehearsal conductor for Godspell, Oliver and H. Owen Reed’s Michigan Dream
• Performed the role of Maggie Matthews in main stage opera production of Michigan Dream

 

Grants Received

National Federation of Music Clubs FAMA (Foundation for the Advancement of Musical Arts) Grant recipient (2011)

Awarded to support participation at The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium VIII

Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Development/Education Grant (2011)

Awarded to support participation at The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium VIII

National Endowment for the Arts/Southern Arts Federation Grant (2003)

Wesleyan College
Purpose: Three-Day Residency in Macon of Irish Band Glen Road

Wesleyan College Faculty Classroom Enrichment Grants awarded by the Dean's Office

• 2001 – 2002 Awarded funds to attend Alexander Technique Seminar:
  Enhancing Relationships and Our Experience of them Through the Alexander Technique
  Tommy Thompson, instructor
• 2002 – 2003 Awarded funds to sponsor the residency of coach/accompanist Dr. Christy Lee
• 2003 – 2004 Awarded funds to host an Alexander Technique seminar on campus
  Professor Laury Christy, guest clinician
• 2003 – 2004 Awarded funds to attend Somatic Voicework/The LoVetri Method
  Music Theater Vocal Pedagogy Certificate Program (Level I Certification earned)
  Jeanette LoVetri, clinician
  Shenandoah University

Wesleyan College Faculty Travel Grants awarded by the Dean's Office

• 2002 – 2003 Awarded funds to attend the NATS Winter Conference in Miami, FL
• 2003 – 2004 Awarded funds to attend Somatic Voicework/The LoVetri Method
  Music Theater Vocal Pedagogy Certificate Program (Level II Certification earned)
  Jeanette LoVetri, clinician
  Shenandoah University

 

Founding Member Of

The Opera Theater of Lakeland (2008 - 2009)

Dr. Valente was hired to identify and fuflill the educational goals of the Opera Theater of Lakeland. The Educational Outreach Program she created was multifaceted and included building collaborative relationships with the music and drama teachers in the Polk County school district; writing, producing and coordinating programs designed to introduce students (grades 5 - 12) to opera; advertising and organizing dress rehearsals for students and seniors; and creating programs that introduced students to the many facets of opera. These programs were performed at traditional middle schools, Fine Arts High Schools, and Title I elementary schools.

She also served the opera company by organizing local auditions, participating in plannery sessions for fundraisers and future productions, coordinating a successful Toys for Tots drive, and performing on fundraising concerts and on stage during the season.

Lane Center for Community Engagement and Service, Wesleyan College (2002 – 2005)

Founding Member of Board of Directors

The Lane Center initiates community leadership development and coordinates projects, such as nationally recognized Aunt Maggie’s Kitchen Table, The William and Ellen Craft Saturday School, Wesleyan Volunteers for Literacy, Habitat for Humanity, WOW Days for Macon, numerous conferences about women’s health, and a community immersion experience for our first year students. Service is a vital part of Wesleyan’s curriculum, a requirement fully integrated into the classroom experience.

While serving on the Wesleyan College faculty, Dr. Valente created the Professional Women’s Clothes Closet, created to help women look their best as they transition to the workforce and prepare for job interviews or important meetings. Wesleyan students and members of the community were trained in accepting donations and assisting women from the community seeking assistance.