Valerie Coleman Tickets

Valerie Coleman is a renowned composer, performer, and educator who has reshaped modern wind-quintet repertoire. As founder and longtime artistic leader of Imani Winds, she has helped bring bold, narrative-driven music to audiences around the world. Coleman’s work blends classical forms with jazz, Afro-diaspora influences, and vivid storytelling, expanding the sonic possibilities for wind instruments and creating opportunities for composers of diverse backgrounds.

Named Performance Today’s 2020 Classical Woman of the Year and celebrated by The Washington Post as one of the Top 35 Women Composers, Coleman continues to influence both audiences and aspiring musicians. In 2024, she joined The Juilliard School’s composition department, further shaping the next generation of composers and performers.

From Umoja: Anthem for Unity, the first commission by an African-American woman for the Philadelphia Orchestra, to Portraits of Langston and other programmatic works, Coleman’s catalog stands as a testament to cross-genre exploration, cultural storytelling, and artistic leadership. Whether on stage as a performer or in the classroom as an educator, she remains a dynamic force in contemporary classical music.

Below you’ll find a snapshot of her biography, discography highlights, and upcoming tour information. Secure your seats and experience Valerie Coleman live—we’ve got you covered.

Valerie Coleman’s discography as a performer spans iconic Imani Winds albums across major labels from 2002 through 2023, including the recent Passion for Bach and Coltrane (2023). Her works are frequently performed by ensembles worldwide, and she regularly leads masterclasses and residencies at prestigious institutions such as Juilliard, Frost School of Music, Mannes, and other NYC-area organizations. For fans and students, her programs blend rigorous musical technique with expressive storytelling, offering a compelling gateway into contemporary classical music with Afro-diaspora influences.

• Imani Winds: foundational recordings and collaborations (2002–2023)
• Umoja: Anthem for Unity (commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra, 2019)
• Portraits of Langston and other programmatic works
• Passion for Bach and Coltrane (2023) – latest release