Meet Our Team

MEET OUR DIRECTOR & STUDIO OWNER VANESSA VALENTIN

This native New Yorker and mother of 2, has a passion for teaching that drives her students to turn their passions into action! She is known for her strong technical training in Musical Theatre, Pop, and Classical music and is highly sought after throughout South Florida for her ability to tap into hidden strengths when coaching Performance and Artist Development. 

Valentin has directed over 100 performance showcases and musical productions. She can be heard on various commercials Nationally and Internationally, and has appeared in a number of musical productions with Theaters such as The Stage Door, Actor's Playhouse, Hollywood Playhouse, and more.  She was signed with Universal Music Group and toured the U.S. as a Latin Pop Recording Artist.  It was then, that she discovered a passion for teaching, which changed the course of her direction forever.

It has been her mission to UNLOCK CONFIDENCE in children through the arts. She is known for going above and beyond when it comes to her students. She helps students open doors of opportunity while creating unique experiences for them that you won’t find anywhere else. The achievements of her students are a testament to her program’s success. Rising Starz students debuted a full scale theatrical production aboard Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, The Carnival Celebration. They premiered a Broadway Cabaret entitled “Live The Dream," on BROADWAY at the Minskoff Theatre (Lion King Stage), performed a Broadway Cabaret at the infamous 54 Below, and they also performed in the very heart of Times Square NYC.

 Rising Starz students have also had the incredible experience of performing alongside Broadway Stars: JJ Niemann (Back To The Future), Natalie Weiss (Breaking Down The Riffs), and Christopher Jackson (Hamilton). Her studio has also been the first un-contracted performance group to be invited to premiere an original full-scale music and dance showcase aboard the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Sea.

Valentin is an active member of her community and strong advocate of volunteer work. She sits on the board of “Therapy'd Melody," a non-profit organization where she facilitates opportunities for students to give back using their talents. Vanessa is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), TVF (The Voice Foundation), and AMTA (The American Music Therapy Association). She is recognized for her outstanding leadership abilities, coaching skills, and her commitment to community. Valentin also holds relationships with several casting agencies and leading Arts Mentors in Florida, New York, and Los Angeles. She assists students by providing industry counsel, as well as access to industry opportunities when appropriate.

Rising Starz has recently been awarded recognition as the Best of Davie for Performing Arts, 2 years in a row, Valentin is also the recipient of the Influential Woman in Arts Award for her work in leadership and performance training.