Valerie is a Chinese-Indonesian classical pianist, began to study piano at the age of seven, she has since performed in Indonesia, Singapore, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel, and the United States. Her passion for cultural exchange and musical storytelling is at the heart of her work as both a performer and educator.
Her performances have included appearances at the Festival Pianistico Internazionale di Brescia-Bergamo, Chiesa Vecchia di Baggio in Milan, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Dedicated to community engagement, she founded the concert series Musicians’ Journey in Kansas City, featuring international artists and program that prioritizes accessibility in classical music.
She has performed as soloist with the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and has received numerous prizes, including first prize at the 2024 Jefferson City International Piano Competition, winner of the 2023 Kansas City Musical Club Competition, and finalist in the 2023 Elizabeth Loker International Piano Competition performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Valerie is also a recipient of the Women’s Council Grant and the Frank and Elsie Award for multiple consecutive years.
Valerie holds a Master’s degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she studied under renowned pianist Alon Goldstein, and is currently continuing her studies with Davide Cabassi at the Conservatorio di Musica “Luca Marenzio” in Brescia, Italy. Her earlier education includes a Bachelor’s degree from Pelita Harapan University in Jakarta, studying with the late Dr. Johannes Nugroho.
An active participant in international festivals and academies, Valerie has been awarded scholarships to attend the Mozarteum Sommerakademie in Salzburg, Tel-Hai International Masterclasses in Israel, the International Holland Music Sessions, Flagstaff Piano Festival, and the Berkshire Piano Academy. She was also invited to perform at the Emerald Coast Music Alliance in Florida and Kansas City’s “Music for All,” bringing classical music to audiences who have less access to music.
Valerie has worked closely with world-renowned pianists in masterclasses and lessons, including Kirill Gerstein, Jonathan Biss, Malcolm Bilson, Christopher Elton, Krzysztof Jabłoński, Ingrid Fliter, Alexander Lonquich, Robert MacDonald, Eldar Nebolsin, and many others. The learning journey continues to shape her musical world.
Her upcoming engagements in the Fall 2025 include performance at the Livorno Music Festival, Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto at Teatro Dal Verme in Milan as part of MITO SettembreMusica, and a recital in Pavia presented by Associazione Culturale Giorgio Radicula.
Multilingual in Indonesian, Chinese, English, Italian, and basic Russian, Valerie also shares her love for music through video content and education, including digital collaborations and teaching projects.