Valerie Stevens - Batavia High School
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: October 30, 2007
In the Batavia High School production of "The Sound of Music." the actress playing Maria was Valerie Stevens. It was her first lead role on stage. "It was hard at first," Valerie says, "but with a great cast beneath me, it was absolutely wonderful." Valerie's been performing since she was 7 years old. Once a week, she takes vocal lessons at the Eastman School of Music. Music teacher Patricia Alexander says Valerie is highly motivated to succeed. "Her voice is warm, it's focused and forward, the kind of sound that I like," says Patricia. "You can't just come here every week and expect to know the music," says Valerie. "You have to make sure you practice at home every day so you can learn all your parts. It doesn't just come naturally."
These lessons are helping to prepare Valerie for a career in theater. But Valerie doesn't just sing. She dances, acts and plays two other instruments. "Hopefully someday I'll be able to tour with a company or be on Broadway," she says. She's a straight A student, preparing for her next big role on stage!
