What city are you living in now? Arnold, MD
Where did you study? Peabody Conservatory
What is your favorite piece of music? Ravel Daphnis et Chloe
What do you enjoy in your spare time? Sailing
What is your fondest Annapolis Symphony memory? It’s not necessarily a specific memory, but the highlight for me of playing with the Annapolis Symphony is being surrounded by my “dream team” of woodwind players and friends.
Flutist Kimberly Valerio holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Mark Sparks. Her principal teachers have included Mary Louise Poor, Bonnie Lake, Donald Peck, and Walfrid Kujala. In addition, she has performed in master classes with Carol Wincenc, Robert Willoughby, Donald Peck, and was a featured performer in the James Galway Masterclass at the National Flute Association’s 1997 Chicago convention.
Ms. Valerio has been awarded first place honors in many competitions including the Chicago Flute Society, the Liberty Freemont Concert Society, the Society of American Musicians, Chicago’s Musical Arts, and the Elmhurst Symphony Young Artist Competition.
Ms. Valerio’s past teaching appointments include St. Mary’s College, Salisbury State University, Anne Arundel Community College, and the Peabody Preparatory.
She has been playing Principal Flute with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra since 1998 and Principal Flute with Maryland Symphony Orchestra from 2004-2021. In addition to her appointment with both orchestras she has performed with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra throughout their 2002-2004 season, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, National Philharmonic, National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Spoleto Festival Orchestra U.S.A., Mid Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, and Chesapeake Chamber Orchestra.
Kimberly Valerio’s sound has been described as having “sparkle and verve” by the Baltimore Sun, “gorgeous sound”, “sweet purity” by the Capital Gazette, and “graceful elegance” by the Severna Park Voice.