Kaye Kelly

Position
Professor
Telephone
617-747-8513

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Kaye Kelly, a visionary arts administrator, international musician, and higher-education specialist, thrives at the intersection of arts, community, and social justice. She created and facilitated the first global Cultural Festival in MetroWest, Massachusetts. The groundbreaking event brought in 10,000 participants. In its second year, her state senator advocated to create a $10,000 line-item for the festival in the Massachusetts state budget, due to its valuable impact on the community in cultivating diversity in the arts. Kelly also created the first regional MetroWest Arts and Culture Symposium, partnering with Mass Cultural Council and statewide art leaders.

A senior professor in the ear training department at Berklee College of Music, Kelly specializes in teacher training and recently authored a 12-week ear training course that will be used to mentor educators at Berklee Global Partner institutions. In 2018, she traveled to Valencia, Spain, for five months to work with administration to fine-tune the ear training curriculum. An accomplished songwriter, Kelly's songs can be found on ABC, NBC, and CBS, and her songs for social change and gender equity can be found worldwide. Her personal endeavor, The SheGrooves Collective, is a female-forward band comprised of Berklee faculty and students that is an expression of empowerment and representation. As the founder and musical director of the group, Kelly headlines the performances with a cast of multicultural women. In 2023, the Mass Cultural Council awarded $8,000 in grants for SheGrooves to perform across the state.

Career Highlights
  • Vocalist, pianist, and songwriter
  • Recordings include Coming Undone (2000), a full-length album featuring original pop/rock compositions; Wide Open Road (2012), a full-length album featuring original pop/country compositions; and Gone without a Sound (2017), original composition for TV and film
Awards
  • $8,000 in grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for SheGrooves to perform across the state (2023)
  • Commonwealth Heroine Award (2023)
  • Chalk Hill Artist Residency Recipient (2023)
Education
  • School Name
    The Boston Conservatory
    State or Province
    Massachusetts
    Degree
    Master of Music (M.M.)
    Field of Study
    Contemporary Performance - Global Jazz
    Date Degree Received
  • School Name
    University of Miami
    State or Province
    Florida
    Degree
    Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
    Field of Study
    Music
    Date Degree Received
In Their Own Words

"I want my students to come away from my classes with creative problem-solving skills. While it's true that I am working through complex musicianship concepts—learning how to problem-solve—to do it creatively is a real-world skill my students can use anywhere they go."

"I sincerely believe that if you can't find what you're looking for, build it yourself. I have done that again and again in my arts career. It takes grit, grassroots perseverance, and oftentimes a leap of faith. I want my students to be visionaries in their fields. I believe in the hard work and process of getting oneself there."