Valerie Hartzell began her classical guitar studies on a half-size Ramirez at the age of three.   At the age of six, she studied with maestro Alexandre Lagoya at the Académie Internationale d’Eté in Nice, France.  She has participated in master classes with several internationally acclaimed artists, including Ako Ito, Castellani-Andriaccio Duo, David Russell, Antigoni Goni and Elena Papandreou.
In 1991, Ms. Hartzell made her debut performing Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s “Concerto for guitar and orchestra” with the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving, Texas.  She made her international debut in San Mamete, Italy at the Festival del Piccolo Mondo in August 1994.  She has performed in Europe, Canada, the U.S. and has appeared on television in Nice, FR.  From September 29-October 5, 2002 she toured the Carolinas including Saluda, NC, Wofford College, SC, Appalachian State University, NC and Elon University, NC.  She also performed at East Carolina University in January of 2003.  Her tour promoted her first cd, Fuoco!
She has performed in many festivals, including the Montgomery College Guitar Festival, 'Close Encounters' Voice and Guitar Festival at University of Houston (where she performed and co-directed the festival along the side of Katherine Ciesinski), the Eastfield College Guitar Festival and Competition in Mesquite, the first Classical Guitar Weekend Workshop at The Music Conservatory of Texas in Frisco and at the 2008 Tennesse Festival.  In March of 2007, Ms. Hartzell performed with studio members of the Houston Grand Opera at the Rienzi Recital Series.
In August 2003, Ms. Hartzell was the first performer to win the  “K-Artist of the Month Contest” sponsored by Houston’s former classical station, KRTS, 92.1FM.  Additionally, she was a prizewinner at the Portland Guitar Competition, the East Carolina University Competition and Festival, and the Appalachian Guitar Festival and Competition.  She has won 1^st prizes at the 10^th International Guitar Competition “Simone Salmaso” in Viareggio, Italy and at the Concours de Guitare Classique Heitor Villa-Lobos in Nice, France.
At the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, Ms. Hartzell was awarded the highest undergraduate scholarship for the classical guitar and studied with Manuel Barrueco earning her Bachelor’s Degree in 1997.  She was awarded a Graduate Teaching Fellowship at Radford University with Robert Trent and was placed as Adjunct Faculty while studying for her Master’s Degree in Music.  She received her performance degree in May of 1999 and currently, she is a Professional Teacher at Moores School of Music, University of Houston and is Adjunct Faculty at the Houston Community College.
She also accompanies many vocal students at both Moores School of Music, University of Houston and at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University.  She keeps an active solo career, works in a professional duo with soprano Sandra Johnson, as Duo Athena and frequently is a judge at international competitions throughout the United States (St. Joseph International Competition, Texas Guitar Competition, East Carolina University International Competition, and the Eastfield Guitar Competition).
Valerie Hartzell is the creator and director of the "Classical Minds" Guitar Festival at Moores School of Music, University of Houston.

A classically trained singer and pianist, Sandra Johnson is a versatile singer; her genres include opera, musical theater, oratorio, early music, contemporary music, jazz, blues and folk. Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and the University of Texas at Austin and has continued her Doctoral studies in Voice Performance at the University of Houston. She has coached and studied with the legendary French baritone Gerard Souzay, Leontyne Price’s long-time collaborator Dr. David Garvey, Mignon Dunn, Dr. Isabelle Ganz, Katherine Ciesinski, Julliard’s W. Stephen Smith, and Dr. Mimi Fulmer. She was awarded the Aron S. and Anaruth P. Gordon Scholarship, the Effie Sibley Potts Endowed Scholarship, and as a teaching fellow taught voice and directed opera scenes at the University of Texas and the University of Houston.  Roles she has performed include Alice from Del Tredici’s monumental contemporary work Alice in Wonderland, Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), the Dew Fairy (Hansel and Gretel), Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), Papageana, Queen of the Night, the First Lady and Pamina (The Magic Flute), Olympia (Tales of Hoffman), Baby Doe (The Ballad of Baby Doe), Vanessa (Vanessa), Anne (A Little Night Music), Lucy (Streets of New York), Elsie (Yeoman of the Guard), Phyllis (Iolanthe), and Gianetta (The Gondoliers).  She has performed with the Texas Musical Theater, Madison Opera, Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Madison Savoyards, Opera in the Heights, AURA Contemporary Ensemble, and the Early Music Ensemble.  Most recently, Ms. Johnson has been a cast member of Cabaret on Main in Stoughton, Wisconsin singing musical revues including Gershwin, Porter, Songs of the Silver Screen and Oklahoma.  Ms. Johnson teaches through the Musical Theater Department at Sam Houston University in Huntsville, TX. Her most recent project is with Duo Athena, collaborating with celebrated classical guitarist Valerie Hartzell, founder of Classical Minds Guitar Festival at the University of Houston.  Ms. Johnson also performs in Hannah and Friends, a variety show featuring vocal music from opera, Broadway and jazz standards, and original compositions.