Valerie Capers (b. 1935)

Valerie Gail Capers was born in New York City. She lost her sight at the age of six, and received her early education at the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees at the Juilliard School of Music, the first blind person to do so. Dr. Capers is a classical pianist as well as a jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Dr. Capers served as Chairman of the Department of Music and Art at Bronx Community College of the City University of New York from 1987 to 1995, where she is now professor emerita. For more information, go to www.valcapmusic.com