Welcome

Welcome to the home page of Dr. Liana Valente, music educator, performer, administrator, and champion of modern music.

As a music educator, Dr. Valente is committed to the success and health of all of her students. For over 30 years, she has served as a faculty member and administrator in higher education at public and private colleges and universities including Howard University, Rollins College, University of South Florida, Wesleyan College, and Knoxville College. She continues to create new programs of study, training the next generation of performers, music educators, church musicians and music therapists, ensuring that students are prepared for the rigors and challenges of life. Her private voice studio serves students at all levels, including adults who are exploring their love of vocal arts. She continues to serve as an adjudicator for state, regional, and national vocal competitions, and is sought after as a master class clinician and guest artist. With a history of success as a conductor and opera director, Dr. Valente has shepherded new programs in academia as well as in the community, creating opportunities for musicians and actors to learn the craft of performing.

An exciting performer on the stage and in the concert hall, Dr. Valente brings to life traditional operatic and song literature and is committed to introducing audiences to the beauty and power of new works by exciting composers from around the world. Each year she commissions and performs works by outstanding composers, sharing their compositions on concerts, recitals, and conference lectures. Recent performances have highlighted the music of her composer friends Adolphus Hailstork, Jeremiah Evans, Sharon Shafer, Christine Arens, Derek Healey, and Cedric Adderley. There is a specific joy that comes with bringing new works to life, and she is grateful to work with so many composers from across the globe.

A successful arts administrator, Dr. Valente recently completed a two-year contract as The Denyce Graves Foundation Shared Voices Program Coordinator. Additionally, she has held positions including Assistant Chair of the Music Department at Howard University, Director of the Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. People-to-People Project, and sitting on the boards of community organizations. She currently serves as the National Federation of Music Clubs Representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications. Learn more about the UN Agenda 2030 and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

A respected scholar, Dr. Valente has been published in national magazines and peer-reviewed journals, and has presented at conventions, conferences, and symposia throughout the US and in such diverse places as Sydney, Australia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Newfoundland, Canada. Sessions presented at national and regional meetings, including those sponsored by CMS, NFMC, NATS, and SAI, include The Collaborative Process, The Music of Contemporary Women Composers, Sight-Singing in the Piano Studio, and Expanding the Classical Vocal Canon. Because of her work with the UN, her current research focuses on quality-of-life issues, specifically how music participation can improve the quality of life for older persons.

Dr. Valente holds degrees from The University of South Carolina, Columbia (DMA), The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (MM) and SUNY at Fredonia (BM).