Valerie McElory

Valerie McElroy is a flutist, educator, music arranger and multi-instrumentalist who has traversed the world of music in her teaching and performance. She is a co-founder of Connessa Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting world music by living composers, and is founder and director of VM Studio, a private music education studio. Ms. McElroy is a regular performer with San Diego-based professional chamber ensembles Connessa (2024 Finalists in Chamber Music, London Classical Music Competition; 2021 Finalists in Chamber Music, The American Prize) and Flûtes de Salon (NFA Convention Performers, 2022). A sought-after soloist, flute clinician and collaborator, Ms. McElroy is a conductor for two San Diego Youth Symphony ensembles, directs the Villa Musica Flute Ensemble and formerly served on the board of directors of the San Diego Flute Guild. Her original composition, Journey Chalan for Flute Quartet, was successfully world premiered at the 2023 National Flute Association Convention. A Chicago native, Ms. McElroy studied at DePaul University with renowned flutists Mary Stolper, Hideko Amano and Jennifer Clippert and has since worked with hundreds of music students throughout her professional career. Her pedagogy is centered around the development of the whole musician.