Valerie Orth

Valerie Orth is a songwriter, performing artist, producer, and educator. In her first year as an assistant professor at Berklee College of Music, she was awarded the Berklee Faculty Fellowship for cofounding Palestine Beats, the West Bank’s first initiative blending songwriting, music production, and nonviolent communication.

Orth’s creative journey is multifaceted, spanning genres and disciplines. She began performing at age 5, dedicating 15 years to musical theater before evolving into a dynamic singer-songwriter. She has independently released five albums, pushing the boundaries of electro pop, alternative indie, and post-punk. Orth has also contributed as a writer and producer for Warner Chappell Music Publishing and other music houses.

Known for her bold artistry, Orth channels powerful messages through her music, exemplified in songs like "I Believe We Will Win." A lifelong community organizer, Orth spearheaded the creation of Tufts University’s first Women’s Studies major in 2000, where her thesis on intersectionality led to the development of anti-oppression workshops in high schools. She later directed economic justice campaigns at an international nonprofit, led Beats By Girlz NYC to empower youth through music and technology, and produced The League of Badass Women podcast.

In spring 2025, Orth introduces The F Word: Sex and Equity in Songwriting at Berklee, a course that invites students to craft authentic, impactful songs through an intersectional feminist lens, drawing on their lived experiences to process, heal, and empower.