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Valerie Smalkin

Multidisciplinary, Multidisciplinary Art, Music / Sound, Performance, Theatre

Awards Received

Individual Artist

2015, 2016

Silly Goose & Val firmly believe that singing, dancing, and laughing together builds community and breaks cultural barriers. The songs we sing become the background music for our lives and thus we hope to plant positive, educational, and singable ear-worms in your students' minds! Let us bring musical, educational, and comedic moments of joy to your community.

About the Artist

Ventriloquist, musician, composer, and performer Valerie Leonhart Smalkin was one of the writers, performers, and co-producers as well as the head puppeteer of the Emmy award winning television program It's Kindertime on Baltimore’s ABC affiliate WMAR-TV 2. Val’s CD, A Gentle Halloween, received a Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff award in 2015, and in 2016 her follow-up CD, Sing! Sing! Sing!...and Dance!, garnered a Parents’ Choice Approved award. Her current CD, Love Bug! received a Parents’ Choice Recommended award. Her book Springtime Dance took gold in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in 2014. As a recipient of a Maryland State Arts Council grant for solo non-classical performance in 2015, and for solo theatre performance in 2016 and 2019, Val continues to perform and compose music designed for the 2 to 10-year-old set. As a ventriloquist, Val performs for family and educational events in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York City, California, Cap d’Antibes, France, and Brussels, Belgium. As a jazz chanteuse Val performs with the occasional puppet and the Silverback Jazz Quintet in Baltimore, Maryland. From 2017 to 2022 Val was the Co-President of The Children’s Music Network made up of 400+ performers, teachers, librarians, music therapists, parents, and children from around the world who celebrate the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs, exchanging ideas and creating community. She is also the Maryland Governor of the Indie Collaborative, a networking association for industry musicians and professionals.

Valerie Smalkin website Silly Goose & Val Valerie Smalkin website View Gallery Valerie Smalkin website Learn More

Artist's Statement

I have programs for young children, elementary age children, and adults, but my favorite audience is a combination of all ages. Every program for a mixed-age audience includes several dance songs specifically for family members and caregivers. I hope I get the opportunity to bring these to your community!

Featured Work

Photos

Val Smalkin reacting to Silly Goose's antics.
Val Smalkin dancing with audience members on stage.

Videos

Music/Audio

  • Sing! Sing! Sing!

    See more information about Sing! Sing! Sing!
    Title song from our new CD, "Sing! Sing! Sing! ...and Dance!"
    Year: 2015
    Details: 1:34

  • Springtime Dance

    See more information about Springtime Dance
    "Springtime Dance" was composed by Valerie Leonhart Smalkin and is the basis for the book of the same title.
    Year: 2014
    Details: 1:44

  • Be a Friend

    See more information about Be a Friend
    Cover Artwork for EP (Extended Play) CD - Be a Friend
    Medium: Audio
    Year: 2022
    Details: 12 Minutes

  • Dance of Freedom

    See more information about Dance of Freedom
    Val Smalkin produced an album of songs with lyrics written by 6 teens at the Maryland School for the Blind. Artists from across the nation donated their time and talent to this project. Kenny Curtis is Sirius/XM's Kids channel said: “Life Beyond Sight is a collection of powerful songs that will make you listen close and sing out loud. From the moving and powerful “Not with My Eyes” to the joyous chorus of “Dance of Freedom,” these are songs that don’t merely “ring true,” they speak – no they SHOUT – with a clarity and honesty that is impactful in a whole new way. These are wonderful, empowering songs, for sure, but be prepared to feel a little uncomfortable at times. There’s a courageous honesty from both the songs and the singers that helps them share their unique experience in ways that we all can relate to. Most of us can only imagine what it’s like to not be able to see -- but each of us knows what it’s like to feel unseen in some way.”
    Medium: Audio
    Year: 2022
    Details: 2:52

Booking

Booking Price: $500-$1,000

Silly Goose & Val are experienced performers and can craft a show (outside with social distancing, or virtual) to suit your needs.
Single: $500
Back to Back: $850
Travel: $.50 per mile
Call Val: 410 458-3326
Email: Val@SillyGooseAndVal.com

We provide our own equipment.

We limit ourselves to two shows a day. For shows starting before 10 AM in Washington, Allegheny, Garrett, Charles, Calvert, St. Mary's, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, or Worcester counties, overnight accommodations will be required for the evening before the performance.

Dave Kinnoin, Songwriter/Performer, Los Angeles, CA Davekinnoin@songwizard.com (818) 203 8020
Sarah Howard, Librarian, Columbia, MO: sarahbirdie@gmail.com (573) 289 1197
John Weaver, Librarian, Menlo Park CA: jnweaver@menlopark.org (650) 330-2540

Arts in Education

Audiences Types: Grades Pre-K – 2, Grades 3-5

Sing, Dance, & Play with Silly Goose & Val
Silly Goose Goes Green
Springtime Dance
Holiday Bonanza

Sing, Dance, & Play with Silly Goose & Val
Silly Goose Goes Green
Springtime Dance
Holiday Bonanza
Silly Goose & Val’s Library Adventures

SONGWRITING WORKSHOP - 60 Minutes
Val meets with up to 25 students to write a song on any topic. Songwriting is particularly useful for reinforcing whatever educational content the students are currently studying, or for helping students find their "voice," that is, learn to express their thoughts. Val will provide a professionally scored song by the following day. Fee: $400

PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP - 60 minutes
Val provides each student (up to 20) with an individual packet containing a colorful sock plus decorations that can be used as eyes, noses, scarves, hair, antennae, whiskers, ears, etc. If there is time students then learn and perform a song with their puppets. The cost is $400 plus $10 per student for materials.