Bio
Michigan-native Valerie Beck found her passion for singing at Grand Valley State University where she earned her BM in Vocal Performance. Valerie was a crucial part of the Opera Theater department at GVSU with highlight roles of Dido (Purcell) and Third Lady (Mozart). Valerie worked with Opera Grand Rapids as an Emerging Artist and Opera Chorus member. New to Chicago, Valerie graduated with her Masters in Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts (2018). Recent roles for Valerie include Jo in Little Women (Adamo), the Mother in Mendelssohn's Homecoming for CCPA and Mrs. Páskova/ Lapák in The Cunning Little Vixen. Last summer Valerie attended the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival where she covered the role of Jo and coached with the composer, Mark Adamo. Valerie is currently a member of the Nightingale Ensemble in Chicago.
Outside of her musical life, Valerie enjoys many hobbies that fuel her artistry. Growing up in West Michigan, Valerie often finds herself heading for the beach or off to the lake. There she enjoys water skiing, swimming, tubing and if the conditions are right, wind surfing. She comes from a family that values vacations and visited many of the National Parks in her childhood, sparking her passion for finding time to get away and head for mountains. Last summer she and her family drove out west for a 5-day backpacking trip to the Maroon Bells on the very trail her parents had hiked 35 years prior. Another favorite family tradition is the annual spring trip to Colorado for six days of skiing. However, when Valerie can’t get away, she enjoys having a relaxing night talking with a couple close friends over a Grand Rapids craft beer and listening to some alternative rock. Her favorite band is The Killers, and she admits that she probably likes them a little too much for holding two degrees in classical music. Valerie also enjoys biking, knitting and watching movies to relax in her day to day life. She takes full advantage of student discount tickets in Chicago and tries to attend many different operas, operettas, concerts, and musicals every week.