Valerie Stoelzel - executive director

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With over thirty-five years of experience as a senior-level arts administrator, Valerie Stoelzel brings a wealth of experience pioneering new programs in professional music management, board relations, and community engagement. Her musical journey began as an opera singer performing throughout Austria, New York, and New England before embarking on a formidable and well-respected career as an arts administrator.

Valerie’s arts administration career began at the University of Connecticut where she served as Associate Director of Artistic Programs and the first director of the School of Fine Arts Outreach Program bringing music, theatre, and the visual arts to citizens of all ages throughout New England. Serving as the first Arts in Education Program Manager for the Louisiana State Department of Education, a position funded through a National Endowment for the Arts grant, she was a contributing author for ten curriculum guides. She led teacher training and advocacy across the state. 

Valerie also secured over $500,000 in state and federal funding for arts education and successfully defended grant proposals at the state and federal levels. In 2000, she was approached by Palm Beach Opera to become the company’s first professional Artistic Administrator and Director of Education. Highlights of her tenure at Palm Beach Opera include producing the annual national vocal competition, creating the award-winning Swing and Sing Summer Camp for underserved children, and working to develop the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra. Valerie’s work in developing the educational component of the opera company resulted in increasing student attendance by sixty-percent.

After moving to Michigan to raise her son, a position was specifically created for her by Grand Valley State University as Concert and Arts Information Director. In addition, she was a member of the adjunct music faculty teaching music appreciation to non-music majors and applied voice. Valerie also worked closely with the Office of the President at Grand Valley on special events. In 2013, along with her husband Richard Stoelzel, she co-hosted the record profit-setting International Trumpet Guild Conference in Grand Rapids

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While in Michigan, Valerie was a member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Rapids Bach Festival, member of the Advisory Cabinet for the GVSU Faculty/Staff Annual Campaign, Board of Directors of Grand Valley’s University Club, Parent Advisory Board of the Grand Valley Children’s Enrichment Center and held a cabinet position as Secretary for the Board of Directors of the Allendale  American Youth Soccer Organization.