In 2001, she earned a Ph.D. in Marketing from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Valerie has had her dissertation, journal articles, and conference papers published on in-store music's influence on consumers. In the 1980s and 1990s she was a music journalist who reviewed concerts and interviewed jazz, rock, and pop musicians. She was also a deejay and promotion director at her college radio station and worked for record companies in NYC. At five, Valerie learned to read music and play piano in kindergarten. She played clarinet, flute, and violin in elementary and middle schools, and had private music lessons. Valerie is a lifelong learner, music maker, and supporter of music education. Valerie believes that listening to and playing music is a gift that can contribute to people's well-being, health, and quality of life.