Described by Marin Alsop as a “powerful presence on the podium,” conductor Valery Saul is known for her dynamic leadership, technical command, and charismatic rapport with both musicians and audiences alike. In the 2026/27 season, she begins a three-season appointment as Associate Conductor of the Nashville Symphony.

From 2023 to 2026, Saul served as the Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and she is a regular cover conductor for the Oregon Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and Charlotte Symphony. Saul is an alumna of the Dallas Opera Hart Institute for Women Conductors. Equally at home in the concert hall and the orchestra pit, Valery regularly conducts opera, ballet, Broadway, and pops performances, earning praise for her versatility.

Saul attended the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in 2023 and served as a conducting fellow at the Bellingham Festival of Music from 2023-2025. She has taken part in masterclasses with the Buffalo Philharmonic, National Symphony, Orchestre Métropolitain, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

A graduate of Peabody Conservatory of Music, University of British Columbia, and Portland State University, she holds degrees in both Conducting and Vocal Performance. Her mentors include Marin Alsop, Cristian Măcelaru, Nicole Paiement, Marcelo Lehninger, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and George Manahan.