She was a violist born in Detroit, Michigan who studied with member of the Detroit Symphony and earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan on a full scholarship followed by her Master’s degree at the Juilliard School, also on full scholarship.
After graduation she remained in New York, touring and recording with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Other orchestras and ensembles she performed with during the course her time there include the American Symphony, Barge Music, the Con Brio Ensemble, New York City Opera and the Virtuosi Ensemble. The BBC included her in the television broadcast Artists in New York.
From 1984 she went on to perform for over 35 seasons with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as Associate Principal Viola rising to Principal Viola from 1991 to 2017. She also played annually at the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Her other work was as a studio string musician where she played with a wide range of artists and on movie soundtracks. The recordings she played on found her being the holder of two platinum records. She also toured with the band Chic.
Some of the albums she performed on are Reaching for the Other Side by Aura, Risque and Real People by Chic, In Concert by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Suddenly and The Best Of… by Marcus Miller, Four Saints in Three Acts by Orchestra Of Our Time, Diana by Diana Ross, King of the World by Sheila & B. Devotion and Love Somebody Today by Sister Sledge and over 150 soul and disco compilations.
In the field of musical education she gave private lessons to students that went on to study at the Cleveland Institute, Juilliard School and New England Conservatory of Music and was a faculty member for 20 years at both Fredonia State College and Buffalo State College.
She died unexpectedly in late 2019 when she was 67 years old.
Diana Ross recordings
Give Up (Bernard Edwards/Nile Rodgers)
Motown (M 1491F) (US 45)
She performs here…
Sources:
- https://theviolinchannel.com/american-violist-valerie-heywood-died-passed-away-buffalo-philharmonic-obituary/
- https://bpo.org/staff-members/valerie-heywood/
- https://www.buffalorising.com/2019/11/remembering-valerie-heywood-a-talented-local-musician-and-dear-friend/
- https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/valerie-haywood
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/431671-Valerie-Haywood
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/valerie-heywood-mn0001291004