Valerie’s joyful journey with music began as a baby, when her mother danced with her, sang and played the piano in the family living room in Belgium. Soon enough, Valerie was playing her first tunes, and then went on to study Suzuki piano for the next 10 years with her two sisters, the three of them regularly performing and having fun improvising and creating music together. Her passion for language then led her to become a teacher of English, first in Belgium and then Australia, where she raises her two children bilingually in French and English.
Also a lover of books and literature, Valerie has been running a cheerful French storytime in Eltham for over seven years. Her love of working with young children only kept growing during this time, leading her to facilitate playgroups and teach at a Saturday school in French.
When first attending a Mini Maestros class with her first child, Valerie remembers thinking that this must be the absolute most joyful job in the world! After witnessing both her children growing in confidence and musicality through the program, she just had to keep the journey going by joining the teaching team. She is so happy to be able to “eat her cake and share it too” – share her love of music, language, and working with children – with the families in her community. She believes that you learn best when you are having fun. And that the special universal language that is music will bring incredible wellbeing, connection, and developmental benefits to all.