IN Peters Township August/September 2017 | Page 45

“Teachers are nothing short of angels with a whiteboard— or, in our cases,
angels with a script, score or a pair of tap shoes.”
to further her career. Williams’ first private
voice teacher was Miriam Kelly of Point Park
University. “She never let me get away with
anything,” laughs Williams. “I cried after my
first lesson, but she was the perfect balance of
nurturing and no-nonsense.” Williams went
on to study with Betsy Lawrence and Patricia
Philips, both of Carnegie Mellon University.
She studied dance at Pittsburgh Ballet
Theatre (PBT) and Center for the Theater Arts,
then really started to dig into the art when she
got to PMT and studied with Lisa Elliot. “Of
course, PMT exists because of perhaps my
greatest mentor, Ken Gargaro,” notes Williams.
“Ken is so entrenched in Pittsburgh as far as
the arts go, and his students are literally around
the globe working and creating. PMT was
my home and where I truly became a musical
theater performer. Gavan Pamer and many of
the other amazing teachers there at the time
gave me so many opportunities, including
the chance to play Mary Magdalene in PMT’s
production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ opposite
PT’s own Ray Cygrymus.”
Following her graduation from PTHS,
Williams attended the University of
Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music
(CCM) where she majored in Musical Theater
Performance and was awarded the Laurie
Beechman Award for Vocal Excellence during
her senior year. “It was really flattering to
receive the award, ” says Williams. “Fellow
awardees include some amazing talents like
Ashley Brown—the original Mary Poppins on
Broadway.”
Of course, as for many artists, studying never
really ends. “A few years back I was having
some vocal problems, and though I had never
hit a roadblock before—I was the girl who
could wake up and hit a high C—I finally hit
one, both physically and mentally,” explains
Williams. She credits her NYC voice teacher,
Will Bryan, with bringing her out of the funk. “I
use his techniques every day, and additionally
CCM was amazing training. It took raw talent
and redefined it, as is visible in the polish of its
graduates. I was very fortunate to study there
and know it was made possible because of all of
my amazing Pittsburgh mentors.”
Since college, Williams says she’s generally
been in the “school of life.” Over the years, she
has developed parallel careers as a teacher,
performer and arts educator, and has had the
unique experience of teaching in practically
every kind of setting—from preschool to
public, charter to alternative and more. “I love
the diversity of experience that being an artist
allows,” she says. “I think the reason I actually
ended up teaching is because of how my
Pittsburgh and CCM mentors touched my life
and soul. Teachers are nothing short of angels
with a whiteboard—or, in our cases, angels
with a script, score or a pair of tap shoes.”
After CCM, Williams moved to New York
City for a stretch of 10 years. There, she was
a vocalist with “The Manhattan Dolls” for
a few years, and even managed the group at
one point. The group was a cool three-part
harmonies trio and traveled the world singing
for all kinds of events, including major air
shows and other vintage-inspired events. “It
was extra meaningful to
me because we did a lot
of work for veterans,
and I had many family
members who served
in WWII, including my
grandmother as a first
sergeant in the WACS,”
recalls Williams.
During this time, Williams
also founded a nonprofit program
titled “A Day With the Dolls”—taking
The Manhattan Dolls performances to senior
centers, hospitals, nursing homes and more.
She also sang for many years with “Sing For
Your Seniors”—a NYC-based nonprofit that
brings professional vocalists to the same
demographic as
“A Day with the Dolls”—and added the
James J. Peters VA Hospital in the Bronx to the
roster of centers.
Now back in Pittsburgh, Williams currently
works at Lincoln Park Performing Arts
Center and is working on a partnership with
the Calcutta, Ohio, VA for music therapy —
something that continues to be meaningful
to her.
One of the artist’s most recent undertakings
is her children’s album titled “Songs for Young
Whippersnappers.” “It’s classic American music,
reimagined for children,” explains Williams.
“It includes songs from the popular American
vernacular from the 20th century that are
uniquely targeted to early childhood (birth
through age 8) with music that all generations
can enjoy.” The album draws strongly on
Williams’ love of all things vintage—as is clear
in the album’s imagery. Williams collaborated
with musicians from her cruise ship performing
days, and NYC colleagues she had met through
a variety of endeavors.
The album came out in 2016 and is available
on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and CD
Baby, and can also be purchased in hard copies
through Williams’ website. The artist has gone
on to create a companion curriculum for the
CD that includes a live show/event that she
takes to everything from birthday parties to
community events and preschools, elementary
schools, activity books, coloring pages and
even two puppets. “It’s been a lot of fun and I
love connecting directly with children at the
events,” says Williams. “It keeps me focused
on what is important in life and that all art
is about human connection. This
project is a way I can give
back, create and combine
all of my skills—and I
love doing it!”
The little girl
featured on the
album artwork is
Williams’ niece.
“She’s already a
natural performer,
and may well eclipse
Aunt Val in her time!”
laughs Williams. Her
voice can be heard on a few
of the tracks.
Williams hopes to continue all
of this and more in her future. “I would
love to get to a place where I can travel with my
music and continue using that as a way to see
the world,” she says. “I hope to perform and
create as long as possible. I really enjoy wearing
many different hats in the business, and starting
new projects.”
Williams’ next project is a children’s book—
“Dilber, The Cranky Banana”—in association
with Old Mate Media, a company based in
Australia. “It is quite hard to make a living as
an artist,” notes Williams. “It comes with a ton
of hard work and, at times, a lot of heartache.
However, I have definitely realized that it is the
only life for me. So, as long as I am able to be
creative, I'll consider myself very lucky indeed."
For more information or to contact
Williams, visit valwilliamscreative.com. ■
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