Cherie Valaray(I)

Singer/Actress, Cherie Valaray is known for her vocal control and expression which allows her to sing the most difficult literature with ease. Her dynamic versatility enables her to perform in a wide range of repertoire and styles. Hungarian-born, Cherie Valaray moved to Los Angeles after living in Sydney, Australia for eight years. She received a Performing Arts degree from the Budapest Studio of the Hungarian Society of Musicians and Dancers where her primary teacher was Olga Sik. She studied acting in Budapest with Gyorgy Korcsmaros and Ivan Vas Zoltan. She is in the Salome Jens Private Studio perfecting her Lee Strasberg technique. You can see her in Hungarian Films, "Valami mas" (Something else) directed by Agnes Fodor, "Fotografia" (Photography) and "Szorongas" (Anxiety) directed by Gabor Agoston, "Tusztortenet" (Hostage Story) opposite Academy Winner Istvan Szabo, directed by Gyula Gazdag, and in multi award winner "Sziberiai Nyar" ( Siberian Summer) under the direction of Andras Der. In Sydney, Australia, She studied with the internationally-known vocal coach, David Harper and Andrew Dalton, vocal coach for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Cherie studied with renowned Australian tenor, Jonathon Welch whose Tenor Australis included Cherie in their 'Three Tenors and a Diva' tour. After coming to Los Angeles, she worked with Rakefet Hak, Director of Opera Studio, UCLA. Cherie Valaray performed Die Fledermaus and Gypsy Baron on tour with the Hannover Theater in Germany and Austria. As Prima Donna she sang at the Lehar and Kalman Operetta Festival in Hungary. Cherie toured throughout Australia with her "Dueling Sopranos" classical/comedy duo. She made her first of several appearances at Goethe Haus in Jakarta Indonesia for the Sydney International Cultural Centre. She was honored to perform at the annual budgetary dinner of the Federal Parliament House, Canberra, Australia. Cherie has also performed Solo Concerts at the Sydney International Cultural Centre. She sang in Indonesia with Australian Conductor, George Ellis, at the opening of the JakArt International Festival, as well as for solo performances at the Adi Puri Cultural Center. Cherie gave a solo recital at the Town Hall for The Performing Arts Christchurch, New Zealand, performing Opera, Operetta, Broadway and Baroque music. She gave a solo charity concert at the Los Angeles Hungarian House. Cherie sang the Soprano solo in the Requiem by Verdi with the Knoxville Symphony. She also had a solo concert and a one woman show "Operafusion" at the Louis B Meyer Theater. Cherie Valaray is married to pianist/composer, Howard Bennett Richman. Together, they have one daughter, Danica, and Howard's son, Oliver. Learn more about Ms. Valaray at www.cherievalaray.com