Described as a “powerful presence on the podium” by Marin Alsop, conductor Valery Saul is recognized for her dynamic leadership, technical command, and charismatic rapport with musicians and audiences alike. She is in her second season as Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and also serves as cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Valery was recently selected from an international pool of candidates for Dallas Opera’s renowned Hart Institute. 

A master of multiple genres, Valery has led the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to great acclaim in her Pops concerts, Broadway Rocks, Lights, Camera, Action! and Bond and Beyond. In December 2024, she led performances of Ballet Arkansas' production of The Nutcracker.

She has been an invited participant of several prestigious masterclasses with orchestras from around the world. She has worked with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre Métropolitain, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Romanian Chamber Orchestra. She has also been a participant at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Valery was the second place winner of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra’s Conducting Competition. For two summers, she has been a conducting fellow at the Bellingham Festival of Music. 

A graduate of Peabody Conservatory in 2022, Valery has been mentored by Marin Alsop, Cristian Măcelaru, David Danzmayr, Marcelo Lehninger, and George Manahan. In addition to conducting, Valery is a professional opera singer.