Executive Director & Instructor

Dr. Silks trained for twelve years at the New Jersey School of Ballet and continued her training as a dance major at Butler University. She holds a B.A. in biology and chemistry from Boston University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of South Carolina. She has been the organist at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church for nineteen years.

Valerie has been actively involved with DALA for the past decade, having served as president of the Board of Directors,costume mistress, pianist, director, choreographer and faculty member. Valerie became DALA's Executive Director in March 2009. She has more than twenty years of experience in music and dance education and is delighted to share her love of the arts with her wonderful DALA students.