Pamela Valerio, the founding Director of the Murray Bridge Children’s Choir, is an American Music Educator and Soprano.  She holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education (Choral/Voice) from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Masters in Music in Voice from Boston University and obtained her Level III Orff Certification from DePaul University in Chicago.  Both parents were avid choral singers involved in church and community choirs, where Valerio also found her choral beginnings (from the age of 3!)  As a Soprano soloist, Valerio performed all across the United States (Boston, MA, Richmond, VA, Maui, HI), Germany, Namibia and Costa Rica.

As a music educator over the last 20 years, Valerio has taught children ages 5-12 general music and chorus in Boston, MA, Swakopmund, Namibia, New York City and Wilmette, IL (Chicago). Valerio finds inspiration through her previous participation as a paid soloist/section leader in The Cathedral Choir at the Cathedral of Sacred Heart in Richmond, VA, United Parish Church of Brookline Choir and Boston Baroque. Her love of world music deepened when she was a member of the Mascato Youth Choir (Namibia) and the University of Chicago World Music Choir.

The Valerios moved to Murray Bridge in 2014 for a bit of an adventure – that has now lasted over 8 years!  She started the choir in 2017, with the help of her husband, friends and dear friend and accompanist, Alex. She and her family are now proud Australian Citizens!

Mrs. Valerio is also a wife, mum, aspiring cook, world traveler, and flat white drinker.

Meet our Accompanist

Alexandra Westlake obtained a Bachelor of Music Education from the Elder Conservatorium and has taught music in a variety of settings across South Australia & Victoria. Her skill set lies firstly as an accomplished pianist but also has competency of the clarinet with knowledge and skills on most other instruments. Alexandra has taught classroom music, conducted school bands and choirs, taken private instrumental lessons and implemented music within churches and community groups. Alexandra values music in education in the same way tree seedlings value water, without it, development and growth is harder. Her belief of this stems from the scientific evidence of the way music engages both hemispheric fields of the brain. To experience music is to experience true joy and everyone should have that opportunity!