Valerie Harris has been privileged to play and perform on many notable, historic pipe organs in Europe. An active recitalist, she most recently performed in Belgium and the Netherlands and is a Tabernacle Guest Recitalist.

She has served in a variety of Christian denominations, most recently as the Organist and Director of Traditional Music at Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona, conducting the Central Community Choir and Handbell Choir. She has served as Organist for 35 years at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also serving as Stake Music Chairman for many years. She has extensive choral and solo accompanying experience.

She is currently pursuing a Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in Organ Performance at Arizona State University, studying with Kimberly Marshall. She holds a Master of Music in Organ Performance and Graduate Certificate of Church Music from Shenandoah University in Virginia, studying with J. Thomas Mitts and Dudley Oakes. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano pedagogy from BYU.

She has served as an adjudicator and director for the National Federation of Music Clubs’ student festivals and competitions. She is certified as a Colleague with the American Guild of Organists, of which she is an active member.

She has taught piano, organ, and conducting to hundreds of students, motivating many young musicians to study music in college and achieve successful experiences competitively and through community and church service. She has a strong desire to serve in helping to lift up the attitude and vision towards music in our Church and further develop the skill level of our musicians.