Valerie Thorson, organ and harpsichord
Valerie Thorson holds music performance degrees from the Oberlin College Conservatory and Kent State University. In addition to her many years working as a professional church musician in Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and Ohio, she has taught voice at Kenyon College, Kent State University, the University of Akron, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has worked as a vocal coach/accompanist for Opera/Omaha, the University of Akron, and the Oberlin Conservatory. Along with flutist George Pope she is co-founder and soprano for the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, a professional chamber ensemble based in Akron. She is currently on the faculty at the University of Akron, teaching voice and organ and serving as the vocal coach for the opera department; and is Director of Music at Akron’s historic First Congregational Church, which recently underwent a massive restoration of its Meetinghouse/Sanctuary and 4-manual Casavant Freres pipe organ. Valerie is the principal keyboard/continuo player for the Akron Baroque Orchestra, in residence at the church.
