Valerie Monroe has been doing bonsai for over twenty years. She came to bonsai with an extensive art background. She graduated from the Academy of Art College with a degree in interior design and a minor in figure drawing.

Valerie is a member of Sei Boku Bonsai Kai---a San Francisco Bay Area club---, which she joined after the Hillsborough Bonsai Society, closed. She has been an active as a demonstrator, teacher, board member and President of both organizations. She has performed demonstrations at several Bay Area clubs including Redwood Empire and East Bay Bonsai Society.

Valerie teaches a regular monthly workshop at Sei Boku, as well as teaching to individuals. She remains a student herself, learning from Kathy Shaner and recently graduating from the El Dorado Bonsai class series on Satsuki Azaleas taught be Tatemori Gondo.