Described by Marin Alsop as a “powerful presence on the podium,” conductor Valery Saul is recognized for her innate musicality, compelling presence, and technical precision. Her ability to forge an immediate and captivating connection with orchestras and singers alike has led to engagements around the U.S. Valery joined the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in the 2023/2024 season as Associate Conductor. In the 2026/2027 season, she begins her appointment with the Nashville Symphony as Staff Conductor, where she will work closely with Leonard Slatkin for three seasons.
Valery has led the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in numerous programs, collaborating with soloists and international artists from around the world. Highlights include her acclaimed Pops concerts, Bond and Beyond and Broadway Rocks. Saul has additionally served as a Cover Conductor for the Oregon Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and Charlotte Symphony.
Equally at home in the opera pit, Valery was selected by the Dallas Opera for the prestigious Hart Institute, where she conducted scenes from Bizet’s Carmen at the Winspear Opera House. She recently led a performance of Handel’s Messiah at the newly opened opera house in Northwest Arkansas (Inspiration Point), and in 2024, she was engaged by Ballet Arkansas to conduct their production of The Nutcracker with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
Valery holds dual master’s degrees in Conducting (Peabody Conservatory) and Opera Performance (University of British Columbia). She has been mentored by Marin Alsop, Cristian Măcelaru, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Nicole Paiement, Marcelo Lehninger, and George Manahan. Valery has participated in numerous distinguished masterclasses, working with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre Métropolitain, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Romanian Chamber Orchestra. A prizewinner of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra’s Conducting Competition, she has also been a conducting fellow at the Bellingham Festival of Music. In addition to her conducting career, she is also an accomplished professional opera singer.
