Originally from Chicago, Illinois, flutist Kimberly Valerio holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Mark Sparks. Her principal teachers have included Mary Louise Poor, Bonnie Lake, Donald Peck, and Walfrid Kujala. In addition, she has performed in master classes with Carol Wincenc, Robert Willoughby, Donald Peck, and was a featured performer in the James Galway Masterclass at the National Flute Association‘s 1997 Chicago convention.  

Ms. Valerio has been awarded first place honors in many competitions including the Chicago Flute Society, the Liberty Freemont Concert Society, the Society of American Musicians, Chicago’s Musical Arts, and the Elmhurst Symphony Young Artist Competition.  

She has been playing Principal Flute with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra since 1998 and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra since 2004. In addition to her appointment with both orchestras she has performed with the Saint Louis Symphony throughout their 2002-2004 season, Baltimore Symphony, Washington National Opera, National Philharmonic, National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Spoleto Festival Orchestra U.S.A., Mid Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Bach in Baltimore, and Chesapeake Chamber Orchestra.  

Kimberly Valerio’s sound has been described as having “sparkle and verve” by the Baltimore Sun, “gorgeous sound”, “sweet purity” by the Capital Gazette, and “graceful elegance” by the Severna Park Voice.