Valerie Sly currently serves as principal horn of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. She previously held positions as principal horn of the West Virginia and Adrian (Michigan) Symphony Orchestras, and in summer 2021, joined the Des Moines Opera Orchestra as third horn.

Valerie has appeared twice as a featured soloist for the Vermont Mozart Festival, performing Mozart’s second and fourth concertos with the festival’s chamber orchestra. She has also frequently performed with the Colorado, Virginia, Richmond, and Memphis Symphonies, as well as the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. In summer 2022 she performed as guest principal horn with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition, Valerie has performed in several other countries including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, China, and Singapore.

Summer orchestra fellowships include Spoleto Festival USA, Lucerne Festival Academy, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and Colorado College Summer Music Festival. In September 2021 she returned to Lucerne as a member of the festival’s alumni ensemble.

Outside of the orchestra, Valerie enjoys baking bread, delving into complicated cooking projects, and spending time with her husband Everett who is also a professional horn player.

Ms. Sly is currently completing a Doctorate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder under the tutelage of Michael Thornton. She also holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of Music where she studied with William Purvis, and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory where she studied with Roland Pandolfi.