Val Haller is the founder of ValsList, a music discovery platform she launched in 2007 to help busy adults stay connected to new music. Val began by curating playlists and soon expanded into live experiences, from intimate living room concerts to a signature ValsList Live Concert Series, and in 2017 the launch of Winnetka Music Festival, a nationally recognized event, on Chicago’s North Shore (Val’s hometown).
Her fresh approach quickly gained recognition. Music analyst, Bob Lefsetz, took notice, “We’re looking for more. Computers can’t tell us what we like, we need humans. Like Val Haller.” (2008) Val has been featured in Oprah’s O Magazine, The Katie Couric Show, NPR, served as a music contributor on Chicago’s WCIU, “You & Me” and authored a weekly column in the New York Times called “Music Match”, comparing emerging and vintage artists. She has collaborated and produced events with iconic venues such as the Chicago Botanic Garden and Wrigley Field’s Gallagher Way.
In 2021, the festival partnered with Evanston SPACE—operators of renowned Chicago venues like Thalia Hall, The Salt Shed, and The Empty Bottle. Through it all, Val’s mission has remained the same: to bridge the gap between emerging artists and the audiences eager to discover them. Just Listen.
Val resides in Winnetka with her husband, Mark and is a mom of four sons, four daughters-in-law and almost 7 grandchildren.
