Mitch Albom Interviews Detroit School of the Arts’ Cheryl Valentine

By Mitch Albom

 

DETROIT — For the last 30 years, the Detroit Public school kids have been lucky enough to have Cheryl Valentine.

“I like to see the metamorphosis of the students. When they come in knowing a little and leave knowing a lot, that’s why I do it,” Valentine says.

 

Currently the choral director at the Detroit School of Arts, Valentine’s pride and joy is Visions, an all male choral group that could give glee a run for it’s money.

 

“The home situations are not always the best and when they come here, this is that sanctuary and then when they start singing you just see it come out,” Valentine said. You see it come out. I tell all of them, I am not visiting you in a jail house to see you and I am not going to a funeral, so you are going to have to make it.”

 

Mitch Albom: In your view, what is the responsibility of a music teacher?

 

(Ed. note: there is a video for this interview, available at the below referenced site.  We apologize, as we are unable to provide a direct link to this video).