CHERYL VALENTINE

 Cheryl Whitney Valentine has been teaching in the Detroit Public Schools for over 30 years (K-12). She is currently one of the vocal music teachers at the Detroit School of Arts where her duties include directing the Concert Choir, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Achievers Ladies Ensemble  and the Male Ensemble (Vision). Her duties also include teaching advanced music theory and solo class.

 Ms. Valentine graduated from Cass Technical High School, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Va. (B.A. – Music Education) and Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan (Masters in the Art of Teaching). She has studied at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan and Columbia College, Chicago, Illinois. 

Ms. Valentine has worked with the Michigan School Vocal Music Association for over ten years in the capacity of Co- District Manager (Dist. 15), as well as an adjudicator. She was instrumental in establishing the 4 Men only (where the young men who are in vocal music programs k-12 come together to sing and learn from each other) in District 15.  Her groups have received the ratings of superior at district and state festivals. The group Vision (DSA Male Ensemble)has performed regularly with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They have performed at the Michigan Youth Arts festival, as well as nationally and internationally with the Heritage Music and Music Maestro festivals, receiving ratings of superior and gold. The Vision Male Ensemble performed  at the Ilhombe Choral Festival in South Africa, July of 2016, placing first in the adult choral division. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble had the honor of singing at the Detroit International Jazz festival (September 2010), prior to Take 6 taking the same stage.  They are now regular performers at the Jazz festival. Ms. Valentine has had the opportunity to conduct the MSVMA Sate TTBB Honors’ Choir at the Michigan Music Conference held in Grand Rapids, Michigan ( January 2019). 

She has been a test developer and was a validator for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She has been on curriculum development committees for the Detroit Public Schools Community District Music Department as well as textbook selections committees. She is currently a member and Director of Music at the Sanctuary Fellowship Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan (Rev. Dr. Keith L. Whitney, Pastor) and on staff at Ashland Theological Seminary. Ms. Valentine is the mother of one, the grand mother of three and great grandmother of three.