Valerie Raskin is originally from Miami where she was raised in a very musical family (which probably inspired her to dance before she learned to walk). She began studying dance at the age of three...eventually with great teachers such as Thomas Armour, Robert Pike, Martha Mahr, Jill Mallory, Beatrice LaVerne and many others. From there she went on to study and perform with the Performing Arts Company of Florida and eventually on to NYC where she studied with Larry Rhodes, Alfredo Corvino, Richard Thomas and so on.

Valerie was with Southern Ballet for many years as dancer, teacher, choreographer, and was eventually appointed co-director of the apprentice company under the direction of Barbara Riggins. While raising two children she also worked professionally at Fineas Foggs, with Night Moves Dance Company and toured with the Motley Mime Crew.

Now, after thirty years of teaching, Valerie is very proud to have students dancing professionally all over the world. She is versatile enough to train her students in ballet, jazz, modern, pointe, musical theatre, and pantomime, with a special knowledge of body alignment. With her body alignment techniques Valerie has worked extensively with singers, body builders, and world class skaters. She has also taught on the faculties of School of Performing Arts, Park Maitland School, Royal School of Dance, The Danceplace and University of Central Florida.

Valerie's choreography has been seen on national television including Puerto Rico and Canada with commercials, pageants, videos, and weekly shows. Her work has been seen on stage in many formal concerts, in night clubs, and many musical theatre productions including "A Chorus Line," "Pippin," "Chicago," "Lil Abner," "A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum," "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Oklahoma," "Cabaret," "Annie," "Once Upon a Mattress," and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown."

Currently, Raskin Dance Studio takes most of Valerie's time where she enjoys teaching beginners through professionals, age 3 to whatever. At Raskin's, her daughter, Sunny, has national competition teams and Miss Val is the director of Raskin Dance Company, which is a professional training ground for kids. With the help of her husband , Richard, their school has grown to have a fine reputation with the important balance of a professional quality and family atmosphere. The newest addition in the Raskin family is grandson, Jack Isaak, who is their pride and joy!