Jessica Valeri

(She/Her)
Jessica Valeri with her horn

Contact

Departments

Horn
Professional Development

Courses Taught

Applied Lessons

Wellness for Musicians

Ensembles

San Francisco Symphony

St. Louis Symphony

Education

Performance Certificate, Northwestern University

MM, Northwestern University

BM, University of Wisconsin

Q&A

What is your hometown?

Minneapolis, MN

What are you passionate about outside of music?

Yoga, Travel, Being a Mom

Who were your major teachers?

Gail Williams, Doug Hill

What is a favorite quote that you repeatedly tell students?

It's not really a quote, but I always remind my students that the music should come first. Decide WHAT you want to say, then figure out HOW to say it. Technique and details should follow your musical ideal.

What recordings can we hear you on? (Please list five or fewer and specify record label.)

Mahler 8, San Francisco Symphony (SFS label) *Grammy winner*
Sound the Bells, Bay Brass (harmonia mundi) *Grammy-nominated*
Beethoven 9, San Francisco Symphony (SFS label)
Deified, National Brass Ensemble (Pentatone)
The Rite of Spring, San Francisco Symphony (SFS label)

Biography

Jessica Valeri has been a member of the San Francisco Symphony since 2008.  Prior to her appointment, Ms. Valeri was a member of the Saint Louis Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, and the Grant Park Orchestra.  After studying with Doug Hill at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ms. Valeri went on to earn her Graduate degree and Performance Certificate from Northwestern University, as a student of Gail Williams, Bill Barnewitz, and Norman Schweikert.

Ms. Valeri has participated in many recording projects including the National Brass Ensemble and a Grammy-nominated recording with the Bay Brass. She is a frequent guest with the Grand Teton Music Festival, Mainly Mozart, the Arizona Music Festival, and the Lakes Area Music Festival.  Passionate about education, she is currently is on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music teaching both horn and yoga, and served as faculty for the SFCM Pre-college and horn coach for the San Francisco Youth Symphony.  Ms. Valeri enjoys teaching yoga as a certified yoga instructor, practicing sketch comedy, gardening and travel.