About Us

ValRich  Arts is an inclusive creative arts production company dealing in all aspects of art including Music, Dance and Drama through identifying, empowering, managing and promoting talents of individuals at both national and international level.

Our vision

To be a leading international performing arts and production company gracing big stages around the world .

Our mission

To identify , empower , manage and promote untapped talents and potential bringing a wave of diversity and inclusion to the world of performing arts.

Our Team

............ Valentino R. Kabenge ............

Co-FOUNDER and Managing Director

Valentino is a Ugandan Latin and ballroom dancer, actor, choreographer, and Creative Director. His journey began in acting, where he featured in several successful TV drama series such as *Don't Mess with Kansime* on Citizen TV Kenya (2015) and *Power of Legacy* on NTV Uganda.

Valentino's breakthrough into the dance scene came in 2018 when he appeared in Rema's *Touch My Body* music video. Since then, he has been revolutionizing the Ugandan dance industry with his electrifying Latin and ballroom moves. He has graced numerous stages, including the annual HiPipo Music Awards, Digital Impact Awards, and the Bride and Groom Expo shows in 2022, among others.

In January 2020, Valentino made a significant impact by choreographing, dancing, and playing the lead role in Winnie Nwagi's *Jangu* music video, which became one of the top-rated videos of 2020. It received heavy rotation on local and international TV stations like Trace and MTV Base, amassing millions of views on YouTube. This success led to him hosting and co-executive producing his own reality dance TV show, *Dance with Valentino*.

Early in 2021, Valentino traveled to South Africa to undergo his first professional Latin dance training with Kim Lee Isaacs, South Africa’s leading competitive dance coach, who has mentored and coached National and International Champions, including Strictly Come Dancing’s pro, Cameron Lombard.

Driven by his passion for Latin dance in Uganda, Valentino launched the country’s first children’s Latin dance classes and continues to find innovative ways to showcase his students' progress. He is also expanding his presence by choreographing, directing, and coaching, as well as performing at concerts, weddings, and corporate events.

Later that year, Valentino had the opportunity to join the prestigious Oti Mabuse Dance Studio in London, UK, where he furthered his training and was mentored by Marius Iepure. 

In November 2022, Valentino was invited by the England DanceSport Federation to represent Uganda at the inaugural London Dance Nights event, where he also served as a judge at the London Open 2022 competitions.

Beyond dance, Valentino is deeply committed to giving back to society. He is involved in charity work, including the *Unseen Dreams Dance and Arts Festival*, where he teaches dance to differently-abled individuals and choreographs for the annual festival. He is also the Cultural Icon for the *She Decides* movement, under the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum, which advocates for the rights of girls and women in Uganda.

"I give all the glory and honor back to God for all His blessings in my life, and I am here to fulfill my purpose on earth as His will unfolds," Valentino reflects on his journey.

................ Zena Bernacca ................

Co-Founder & Director
Born here in Kampala, Zena was brought up on stories of Uganda after her family returned to the UK when she was still young. 

A passion for dance has been life-long since her brother bought 6 ballet lessons for her 6th birthday and she went on to excel in ballet exams and performances.  Her love of dance extended from ballet to include ballroom, Scottish dancing, Gabrielle Roth Five Rhythms, movement and dance therapy to the Latin dances in the last decade or so.

She built a career in the UK in organisational development and has continued with that work in Uganda over the last decade bringing all of her skill-mix in to play as she contributes wherever she is able to ensure her work is impactful in strengthening individuals and organisations.

She is passionate about finding opportunities for people to develop; for individuals to know and understand themselves, the organizations they work in and/or want to develop, and how we all interrelate as the basis of becoming change-makers in our chosen areas of work.

Within ValRich Arts she is currently Co-Executive Producer and Production Manager of the Dance with Valentino TV show.

"I am excited and passionate about being part of the manifestation and development of ValRich Arts. I am bringing all aspects of my professional background and love of dance to ensure that ValRich Arts flourishes".

................. Andrew Pritchard ...............

Consultant
Andrew originally trained as a professional actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and has since worked as a freelance writer, producer, director, and educator. His work in creative learning includes Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and the Royal National Theatre, London. He has been a Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Drama, Musical Theatre, and Performing Arts for the Cambridge School of Creative Industries at Anglia Ruskin University, where he was also Artistic Director of the Mumford Theatre. His work in Sub-Saharan Africa began as International Operations Manager of creative arts charity Dramatic Need. He also sits on the board of directors for new theatre The PurpleDoor in Liverpool. He is currently working as a Theatre Practitioner in Residence in Cambridge, UK and is excited to be joining ValRich Arts as a consultant in 2021.