Valerie is since 2006 principal flutist at the ‘Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège’. (Belgium)

She obtained her « Masters degree » and « Pedagogical diploma » with greatest distinction at the ‘Royal Conservatory of music’ in Antwerp (class G.Van Riet) and her « Artist Diploma » in flute performance with greatest distinction at the ‘Carnegie Mellon University’ in Pittsburgh. (USA, class J. Baxtresser and A.Almarza)

She is a laureate of several international competitions including the ‘Pittsburgh Concert Society’ and the ‘Myrna W. Brown’ International Flute Competition in Dallas. (USA)

Valerie has not only appeared as a recitalist and chamber musician but as well as an orchestral player in the Netherlands, Danemark, Germany, Roumenia, USA and Japan.

She is curently member of the ‘European Union ‘orchestra based in Bucharest.

As a soloist, she has received favorable reviews by the music critics such as the Eastern Herald “...a brilliant player with an refined tone, a versatile range of colors and an impressive virtuosity...”

After being invited to the ‘International Instrumenta Verano Festival’ in Puebla, Mexico, in 2003, the growing interest in flute pedagogy led Valerie Debaele to become a Guest lecturer at the ‘Royal Conservatory’ in Brussels before taking up a post as flute Professor at the “Academy of Music and performing Arts” in Tilburg until 2020.

Presently, Valerie Debaele is Professor in flute performance at the ‘Conservatory of music’-Hogeschool Zuyd in Maastricht  and is regulary invited to give Masterclasses in Europe.