Valerie V. Gay has enjoyed varied work experiences: secretary, trust administrator, private wealth manager, professional fundraiser for a university (current) and volunteering for organizations that promote and work for women’s rights. She also sings (gospel to opera) and believes music gives her the ability to operate and thrive in diverse settings and continues to be the catalyst that helps her explore possibilities and encourages continual growth. Believing that it’s important for people, particularly children, to be exposed to many and varied experiences, she founded Fortress Arts Academy to provide experiential access to the arts for children and adults.

I believe that every person should have the opportunity to explore and cultivate the innate gifts that enrich their lives. The funny thing is that one may not be aware of the existence of the gifts within them, which is why I believe exposure to a variety of experiences is vital.

Throughout my childhood I planned to be an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. I enjoyed school, and as an honor student at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, and was well on my way to achieving my goal. Then music forever changed the course of my life. In December of my senior year in high school, I witnessed Jessye Norman make her American debut as Dido with the Philadelphia Opera Company’s production of Dido and Aeneas. It was my first opera. I approached the class trip as a novelty, not altogether excited about spending a Friday evening listening to music that I didn’t know anything about, which definitely was not “cool” music. When Ms. Norman floated on stage and sang her first note, it was as if I was no longer sitting in the last row of the amphitheater in the Academy of Music with 2,000 other people. The music touched a part of me that had not previously been disturbed — it was as if Ms. Norman and I were the only ones in the hall, and she was singing to me. At the end of the performance, I once again became aware of the audience as they applauded. I was also aware that I was the only one crying. As my classmates and I walked down the stairs to exit the building, my music teacher, Mr. Murphy, looked up at me and asked if I enjoyed the performance. Somewhat embarrassed by the tears that were still streaming down my cheeks, I asked him if he thought I could do that for a living. Without missing a beat, Mr. Murphy replied that I should see him on Monday morning. For the next 3 months I prepared for auditions, and the unlikely happened: despite never having had formal vocal training, I was accepted into some of the finest conservatories in the country, and had chosen to attend Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, and later the University of the Arts.

Ever since that evening I have been keenly aware that music opened up to me a new world that I didn’t know existed. I later realized that I need to make music like I need to breathe air. For me, music continues to open the door to my life’s potential. This realization compels me to provide opportunities for others, who like me, may not know or have access their gifts.

— Val Gay
Director of Development & Alumni Affairs, Temple University