Valeda Zaage-Bell received her Bachelor of Music Degree from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She attended Manhattan School of Music, Temple University, Brooklyn College and Hunter College for graduate work. She studied piano with Charles Fischer and orchestral and choral conducting with Elizabeth A.H. Green and John Sinclair. On July 29, 2009 she conducted a 120 voice choir and a 30 piece orchestra for a performance at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. Recently Valeda recorded a CD of 20th century piano music for Patrice Editions.

Valeda has taught music classes at Curtis High School, New Dorp High School, Port Richmond High School and Wagner High School. She was the music director for local productions of “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Marat/Sade,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In 2005 she performed an original art song she composed for the New Music Collective at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. She has been the organist, pianist and choir director for the Vanderbilt Moravian Church for the past 23 years. Last year, in 2010, Ms. Zaage-Bell composed seven “Haiku” for piano and debuted them at the SICOM faculty recital. Valeda actively plays with chamber groups as well.

She plays trombone with the Conservatory Jazz Band. She is also the artistic director of a local recorder ensemble.

B.M., M.F.A. Candidate at University of Connecticut. Studied at Hartt School of Music. Conducted University of Connecticut Orchestra, New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble, Centre Symphony, Kingsborough Band, Brooklyn Winds Ensemble. Founder and member of Riverside Brass Quintet, founder and conductor of Riverside Opera and Staten Island Ballet Orchestra, director of Music on the Move. Performed with Stuttgart Ballet and at Spoleto Festival, Italy. Played for Queen Mother and Pope John Paul II. Faculty member at Wagner College and Brooklyn College. Instructor at City Music School. Music Director of Richmond County Orchestra.

Maestro Aurelia is also a very skilled and experienced teacher. He plays many instruments and works very well with students of all ages.