![Saul_headshot_2-min Saul](https://www.arkansassymphony.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Saul_headshot_2-min-scaled-e1715203860358-768x479.jpg)
Described as a “powerful presence on the podium” by Marin Alsop, Valery Saul is recognized for her dynamic leadership and musicality. She was recently appointed the Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and also serves as a cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony, and Oregon Symphony.
In the summer of 2023, Valery was invited by Cristian Măcelaru (Orchestre National de France and WDR Symphony Orchestra) to participate in the Romanian Chamber Orchestra Masterclass and at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. During the 2021/22 season, Valery won 2nd place at the Denver Philharmonic International Conducting Competition with a captivating performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2. Valery was also invited to the Domaine Forget Conducting Academy to work with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Bramwell Tovey where she was awarded the Excellence Scholarship. She was also selected by Marin Alsop to participate in the AT&T She's Connected commercial that highlights the visibility of women in the arts and entertainment industry and was chosen as the 2022 winner for the Gena Branscombe Conducting Scholarship.
Memorable conducting highlights include invitations to participate in masterclasses with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she was appointed conductor for the OperaBox Company in Vancouver, Canada where she led virtual programs of Puccini's La Bohème and Handel's Messiah. She also served as the assistant conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Hillsboro Symphony Orchestra.
Valery is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory (M.M. 2022). She has been mentored by Marin Alsop, Cristian Măcelaru, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, David Danzmayr, and George Manahan. In addition to conducting, Valery is a professional opera singer.