Valerie Sainte-Agathe

Valérie Sainte-Agathe has led the San Francisco Girls Chorus (SFGC) as artistic director since 2013, transforming it into a leading force in the choral world. Under her visionary leadership, SFGC has collaborated with prestigious ensembles, including the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer, Opera Parallèle and folk sensation Aoife O’Donovan. Her tenure is marked by transformative choral music training that empowers young women and champions contemporary music across the globe.

Sainte-Agathe also serves as Chorale Director for Philharmonia Baroque, a position she has held since 2022 preparing the distinguished professional Ensemble for Music Director Richard Egarr. She also toured during two years with the Grammy Award-winning Kronos Quartet, most notably in the world premiere of “At War With Ourselves - 400 Years of You” by Michael Abels. This significant work, exploring themes of history and identity, toured across the U.S. captivating audiences nationwide. In 2023, she was invited by San Francisco Symphony to prepare works of Brahms with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and Maestra Nathalie Stutzman. She has also been a guest conductor for Volti to create pieces by Pamela Z and Caroline Shaw.

In 2024, Valérie Sainte-Agathe solidified her global impact through a groundbreaking collaboration with the Théâtre de Caen, working with French composer Thierry Pécou and stage director Bernard Kudlak on the world premiere of “O Future” live broadcasted worldwide.

Sainte-Agathe's influence extends to the recording studio, where her leadership produced critically acclaimed albums “Final Answer” (2018) and “My Outstretched Hand” (2019). Her career is highlighted by her Carnegie Hall and Barbican Center debuts with the Philip Glass Ensemble, conducting with Michael Riesman in Glass’s “Music with Changing Parts.” She has also led SFGC in performances for the New York Philharmonic Biennial Festival at Lincoln Center and collaborated with The Knights for the SHIFT Festival and with Eric Jacobsen at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Sainte-Agathe’s exceptional contributions to choral music have been recognized in the 2022 book “Music Mavens: 15 Women of Note,” published by the Chicago Review Press. Her educational commitment is evident in her appointment to serve as University of the Pacific’s faculty member, where she continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of musicians.

Before her success in the United States, Sainte-Agathe made significant contributions in France. As artistic coordinator and music director of Opéra Junior, she nurtured young talent and directed choruses for the Montpellier National Symphony and Opera. Her work with the Orchestre National de Montpellier and The Radio France Festival led to eight recordings, earning accolades including a Victoires de la Musique award and two Orphée d'Or awards.

Sainte-Agathe's academic credentials include a master’s degree in management of cultural projects from the University of Montpellier, alongside her bachelor’s degree in musicology and Diplôme d’Études Musicales from the Montpellier Conservatory.

Her extraordinary contributions to the arts have been recognized at the highest levels. Recently, Sainte-Agathe was honored with the title of Chevalière des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, a prestigious accolade awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and literature, both in France and globally.

Valérie Sainte-Agathe’s career is a testament to her unwavering dedication to excellence, her passion for empowering young voices and her profound influence on the cultural landscape. As she continues to shape the future of choral music, her legacy of innovation and leadership stands as an inspiring example to artists and audiences worldwide.