Biography

Susanna Valleau is a Seattle-based organist, pianist, and music teacher, living her dream of building a career entirely through music.

She serves as music director of St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Shoreline, Washington, where she proudly plays the newly installed Ortloff organ. As head of the Organ Committee, she researched and vetted organ companies, obtained bids, followed the building process, and regularly updated the congregation. She now takes pleasure in bringing the organ to life, exploring each color possibility to enhance different aspects of church liturgies.

RCYO Winner’s Recital on the 1960 Aeolian-Skinner organ
at Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise, ID
She also directs St. Dunstan's choir and oversees the music program, encouraging musicians in the parish to share their gifts when an occasion calls for it. She has recently expanded the program to include concerts that showcase the beauty of the new organ.

As a faculty member of the Seattle Girls' Choir, Susanna has the privilege of working with the Allegra Choir (5th and 6th grade) and Prime Voci Choir (high school), accompanying singers on the piano and teaching music theory.

Susanna's bustling teaching studio is open to organ and piano students of all ages and levels of proficiency. She loves nothing more than watching students fall in love with music and show off their accomplishments in semi-annual studio recitals.

An active performer herself, Susanna regularly collaborates with local choirs and orchestras, including the Byrd Ensemble, Seattle Bach Choir, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, and Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra. She also works in smaller duet and chamber music settings on the organ, piano, and harpsichord. As a solo performer on the organ, she has appeared at regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, as well as in concerts throughout the United States.

Education

Susanna studied piano for 10 years and, at 16, began playing the organ. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance at Lawrence University, studying under Kathrine Handford, and her Master of Music at the University of Washington, studying under Carole Terry.

Internationally, she has studied and played organs across Europe, including during a semester abroad with Jacques van Oortmerssen at the Amsterdam Conservatory and a work-study trip to Paris. She has a special affection for historic instruments and was thrilled to play on the renowned Dutch organs at St. Bavokerk in Haarlem, Waalse Kerk in Amsterdam, and St. Laurenskerk in Alkmaar. During her Paris trip, she played many French organs ranging in age and style from Baroque-era organs built by members of the esteemed Clicquot family to the French Romantic organs of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.

For a schedule of future performances, please visit Upcoming Concerts.

To learn more about piano and organ lessons, please visit Piano with Susanna.