Director of music

Valerie A. Higgs

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Pastor Dr. Jill McCrory Bethesda United Church of Christ

A native of South Jersey, Valerie A. Higgs began studying classically at 5 years old. In 1978, she placed second at the Wurlitzer Piano Competition in Philadelphia and was later awarded the NJ Governor’s Excellence in Arts Education Award in 1986. Since she was 15, Valerie has been a pianist (and sometime organist) for various churches in South Jersey, Chicago, and Washington, DC; most notably: Haddonfield United Methodist Church in New Jersey, under the direction of John Wilson, and Chicago’s Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, under the direction of Mattie Robertson.

A native of South Jersey, Valerie A. Higgs began studying classically at 5 years old. In 1978, she placed second at the Wurlitzer Piano Competition in Philadelphia and was later awarded the NJ Governor’s Excellence in Arts Education Award in 1986. Since she was 15, Valerie has been a pianist (and sometime organist) for various churches in South Jersey, Chicago, and the Washington, DC; most notably: Haddonfield United Methodist Church in New Jersey, under the direction of John Wilson, and Chicago’s Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, under the direction of Mattie Robertson. Valerie was the music director for the Church in Bethesda from 2013-2015, and has been the music director for the Bethesda United Church of Christ since February 2022.

Valerie was the music director for the Church in Bethesda from 2013-2015, and has been the music director for the Bethesda United Church of Christ since February 2022.


Valerie has been a Music Director for theatre for over three decades and has music directed in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and South Jersey with such theaters as the Walnut Street Theatre, the Ritz Theatre Company, and the TADA! Youth Theater Company. Locally, she has worked with Ovations Theatre (Rockville), the Kensington Arts Theatre, and Rockville Musical Theatre.


Valerie is principal pianist for the Tango Reo Quintet and the DC Community Tango Orchestra, accompanies vocalists and instrumentalists for local auditions and competitions (such as National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) vocal competition, the Young Artists Award Competition of Gaithersburg, and the Maryland State Solo & Ensemble Festival, among others. She also sings with the professional Christmas caroling group, The Philosopher’s Tones, and teaches piano.

Valerie has been a Music Director for theatre for over three decades and has music directed in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and South Jersey with such theaters as the Walnut Street Theatre, the Ritz Theatre Company, and the TADA! Youth Theater Company. Locally, she has worked with Ovations Theatre (Rockville), the Kensington Arts Theatre, and Rockville Musical Theatre.


Valerie is principal pianist for the Tango Reo Quintet and the DC Community Tango Orchestra, accompanies vocalists and instrumentalists for local auditions and competitions (such as National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) vocal competition, the Young Artists Award Competition of Gaithersburg, and the Maryland State Solo & Ensemble Festival, among others. She also sings with the professional Christmas caroling group, The Philosopher’s Tones, and teaches piano.

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