Wilmington, DE, 19804
West Chester University - Music Education, K-12 - Fall 1993- Spring 1997 (Bachelor's degree received)
Valerie is excellent with Samantha. She tries to keep Sam on track during lessons and makes them fun for Sammy. Valerie did a spectacular job in a couple weeks prepairing Samantha for an audition to Cab Callaway. Samatha went into and performed very well at the audition, THANKS VALERIE!!! Valerie has been excellent with both her vocal and piano teachings and we would highly recommend Valerie.
— January 19, 2012
Valerie is such a warm and lovely person. She is an excellent teacher who consistently listens and adjusts to the student's needs and ideas. She is positive and encouraging every week. My daughter loves her and looks forward to seeing her.
— October 24, 2011
Valerie is great! She is a lot of fun and very personable. She is very good at finding ways to help me in specific areas where I am having problems.
— October 9, 2011
Valerie is a wonderful, warm, upbeat, encouraging, and charismatic teacher that is able to immediately put anyone at ease. Valerie's approach is flexible enough so even a shy teenager feels that her musical dreams and desires are taken seriously. At the same time, Valerie manages to gently guide the lesson so as to ensure progress continues towards musical goals. I recommend Valerie as a music teacher for anyone who wants to have fun and learn music, especially shy teenagers like my daughter!
— August 5, 2011
Very nice Instructor! Great Lesson Experience! Could not continue due to the commute time!
— July 20, 2011
Robin is really enjoying the piano lessons!
— March 24, 2011
She wanted to play when the Saints Go Marching In because her friend knows how to play that song. Do you have the sheet music?
We are very pleased! Valerie is patient and kind and knowledgable. She has a wonderful way about her.
— March 21, 2011
I should have commented before now on how great Valerie is. She is so positive about Nathan's progress and he is really enjoying it. Her enthusiasm and encouragemet go a long way!
— March 3, 2011
Thank you for all of your help with Julia, she really enjoys her time with you! You adapted to the way that Julia learns and understands concept- she's not "by the book"! You handled her special needs wonderfully.
— January 17, 2011
Valerie is very personable, my daughter enjoys singing lessons with her.
— January 15, 2011
Abby really enjoys her instructor Mrs. Valerie. She has taught Abby a lot about form and technique. She always leaves helpful messages, tips, instruction, and feedback. I am so glad that we found her..
— November 25, 2010
ms valerie, is very kid freindly, energetic and knowledgable. she is great instructor, and i would tell her to continue to do what she is doing she is great!
— November 6, 2010
Valerie B. teaches piano to my 5 years old son. She is warm, knows how to deal with young kids and above all she is a great teacher. We always feel very welcome to her friendly home and is wonderful to know that my child is in great hands!
— October 27, 2010
I want to preface this review to say that I have been playing the guitar for 15+ years. I have an understanding of melodies, rhythms and timing. I can’t read guitar music but can read guitar chords and tablature. I’m 40+ years old.
I wasn't sure what to expect with my first violin lesson. Learning to read music (notes) would be a big part of understanding the violin. I knew I could play the notes, it would be just a matter of locating them on the fret board of the fiddle violin. Our first lesson included, understanding the parts of the violin and bow. I also learned to identify several notes and how many beats a certain note gets. Again, with my background, I had a basic idea on how beats per note worked but how that related to a violin and bow, took a little getting used to. Valerie was very patient with this particular part of the lesson plan.
Valerie is easy going and patient. She really wants the individual to succeed. She provides instructional material (in the form of practice workbooks / CD's) as well as separate hand-outs. The practice workbooks builds upon each previous lesson. Each weekly lesson is structured but not rigid enough that questions and answers can’t be addressed on the spot.
She is very accommodating to different playing styles and modifies her teaching methods to specific requests. I would recommend her to anyone that might want to take up leaning another instrument or their first instrument. Valerie’s teaching style works well for beginners.
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I don’t know if my guitar background allowed me to pick up the violin quicker than an individual that has no previous playing experience, your results may vary but if you put in the time to practice, faithfully, than your individual gains should make themselves apparent.But you have to practice!
— August 10, 2010
I haven't stayed for any lessons to watch first hand, but from what I hear from both Erin and Valerie things are going extremely well. Erin is very much enjoying her lessons.
— July 12, 2010