Valerie Salcedo is a classical singer born and raised in Fresno, California where she attended and graduated from California State University, Fresno and obtains a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. She classically trained for 5 years at Fresno State.
On March 19, 2011 Valerie won the title of Miss Fresno County 2011. Ms. Salcedo founded a non-profit organization titled, Music for Love which she used as her platform as she represented Fresno in the Miss California Pageant 2011. Music for Love is a Christian based organization that gathers music majors and community members from around the valley as they donate their time and talents to underprivileged kids by offering them free music lessons. At the Miss California Pageant Valerie became the recipient of a talent scholarship for her performance of Quando m'en vo from Puccini's opera, La Boheme. She also won the Miss America Community Service Scholarship for her non-profit organization.
In the course of her year as Miss Fresno County, Valerie made over 171 appearances donating her time to various organizations, fundraisers, visiting Children’s Hospitals and singing the National Anthem for numerous ceremonies honoring our military. Valerie was honored for her work by Fresno County officials and supervisors and was given April 12th as a day named in her honor in the County of Fresno.
After her reign as Miss Fresno County, Valerie continued to develop her organization and began her career as a performer. She auditioned and was accepted into the Manhattan School of Music Summer 2012 and 2013 Opera Program in Manhattan, New York where she studied voice with world renowned Mezzo-Soprano, Mignon Dunn.
She continues directing shows, performing at numerous theater houses, event ceremonies, and sing for military/veteran events. Along with performing, Valerie loves to teach private lessons and mentor young students.
Valerie currently resides in both Fresno, California and New York City.