Valentine Aprile grew up in New Jersey. After high school she went on to study fine arts and dance at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she received her BFA and MA. While at the University, she received the Harry Soviak award for Painting and Drawing and was also recognized for her interdisciplinary skills which she applied to her art education practice. It was also there that Valentine discovered acting. However, having to work after graduating, Valentine taught drawing and painting for college prep students and also taught arts education to other aspiring teachers. She danced with various independent contemporary groups as a guest performer and most excitingly landed on-going work with an aerial dance group with whom she performed on trapeze, lyra, silks etc. For about 13 years she created, choreographed, and directed her own performance art and dance-theater, receiving a number of local Philadelphia grants/awards for her work, later splintering out to California and Virginia. Valentine also received a Rocky Award for innovative dance-theater. Additionally, her paintings have been shown in galleries in NYC, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and NJ and garnered a judges choice award from NY Coo Gallery in Manhattan. In her past time, you could always catch Valentine riding the only form of transportation she deemed exciting.. Motorcycles!!. Valentine became a mother to her daughter Onata Aprile in 2005 and in 2007 began to move closer to NYC with acting ambition at her back. She booked her first SAG film in 2007 and upon moving to the NYC area in 2009 she entered the Maggie Flanigan Studio where she studied acting directly with Maggie Flanigan, Charlie Sandlin, and Alberto Bonilla. She graduated in 2011 and became a member of SAG shortly after. Valentine is dedicated to the continued pursuit of acting, creating, writing, and producing with other great people. Show less «