About Us

ValRich  Arts is a 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 ............

FOUNDER and Managing Director

Valentino is a Ugandan Latin and ballroom dancer, actor, choreographer and Creative Director.

He started off as an actor and featured in several successful TV drama series including:  Don't Mess with Kansime, Citizen TV Kenya (2015) and Power of legacy - NTV Uganda.

Valentino's breakthrough into the dance world was in Rema's 'Touch My Body' music video (2018). From then he is continually changing the face of the Ugandan dance industry with his electrifying Latin and ballroom dance moves, gracing many performance stages including; the annual Hipipo Music Awards, Digital Impact Awards, opening all the Bride and Groom Expo shows 2022, among others.  

In January 2020, Valentino made another huge debut by choreographing, dancing and playing the powerful role of  Winnie Nwagi's love interest in her Jangu music video that is rated one of the best videos of 2020, making a huge number plays on local and international TV stations such as Trace, MTV Base and scooping millions of views on YouTube.  All this has culminated in hosting his own reality dance TV show 'Dance with Valentino', on which he is also the Co-Executive Producer.

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

His passion for the growth of Latin dancing in Uganda inspired him to launch and establish the first childrens’ Latin dance classes, and he is finding innovative ways of showcasing all of his students’ progress. Valentino continues to develop his presence and brand through choreographing, directing and coaching as well as performing at concerts, weddings, corporate functions etc. 

Later that year Valentino had the opportunity to join Oti Mabuse Dance Studio in London, UK where he goes to further his own training and be mentored by Marius Iepure.

In November 2022, Valentino was invited by the England DanceSport Federation to represent the Uganda DanceSport Federation at the Inaugural London Dance Nights event and be on the panel of judges at the London Open 2022 competitions.

Valentino renders his love for society by being part of charity organisations such as;

  • The Unseen Dreams Dance and Arts festival where he teaches dance to differently abled people, and choreographs and performs in this annual festival.


  • Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum where he is the cultural Icon for the She Decides movement which fights for the rights of girls and women in Uganda.

"I give all the glory and honour back to God for all His blessings on my life and I am here to fulfil my purpose on earth as His Will unfolds."

 

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

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.