Valerie Wycoff
Valerie holds degrees in theatre and music, and is a certified practitioner of the Feldenkrais® method of somatic education.
American by birth, she obtained a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts at Nebraska Wesleyan University. On immigrating to New Zealand, her energies turned to singing. Here she performed in musical theatre and as a member of the National Youth Choir. Encouraged by her teacher, Emily Mair, she began teaching singing in 1985, and went on to complete LTCL in Singing. She debuted as Mercedes in Carmen for Wellington City Opera, and appeared as soloist with regional choirs, chamber groups and orchestras. In 1990 she returned to the States to complete a Master of Music in Voice Performance at Indiana University. While studying there, she played principal roles in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Penderecki’s Devils of Loudun.
In 1994, Valerie moved to Christchurch to join the inaugural faculty of the Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art, later called NASDA. Her local credits include recitals and appearances for Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Canterbury Opera, and Court Theatre (Putting It Together, Master Class and Sound of Music).
Valerie has recorded as a National Artist for the Radio New Zealand’s Concert Programme. She has also released a CD “Grateful: a celebration of Love” featuring songs from stage, screen and jazz from the 1930’s to today.