Valery Saul, Associate Conductor
Described as a “powerful presence on the podium” by Marin Alsop, conductor Valery Saul is recognized for her dynamic leadership, technical command, and charismatic rapport with musicians and audiences alike. She is in her second season as Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and also serves as cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Valery was recently chosen by the Dallas Opera for its renowned Hart Institute for Women Conductors. This summer, she returns to the Bellingham Festival of Music to assist Marcelo Lehninger.
A master of multiple genres, Valery has led the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to great acclaim in her Pops debut, Bond and Beyond, and with her collaboration as Music Director and conductor of Arkansas Repertory Theater’s production of Hello, Dolly! This season she will conduct Ballet Arkansas' production of The Nutcracker as well as Broadway Rocks, Superheroes vs Villains, plus several community and education concerts throughout the state of Arkansas.
In September 2024, she was selected to conduct the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in a masterclass with JoAnn Falletta and Keith Lockhart. Mentored by Cristian Măcelaru, she was a participant of his Romanian Chamber Orchestra Masterclass and at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in 2023. In 2022, Valery was the 2nd place winner of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra’s Conducting Competition.
Memorable conducting highlights include masterclass invitations with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Valery is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory and has been mentored by Marin Alsop, Cristian Măcelaru, David Danzmayr, Marcelo Lehninger, and George Manahan. In addition to conducting, Valery is a professional opera singer.
