Versatile musician and educator Kelly Watkins currently serves as an active duty member of the United States Coast Guard Band. In this capacity they have appeared as featured soloist on national concert tours, traveled extensively across the United States, abroad to Taiwan and Japan, and provided musical support for the past six U.S. Presidents. Kelly has also appeared as trumpet soloist and in ensemble performances at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference, the International Trombone Festival, and the International Women's Brass Conference.

 

As a faculty member at Eastern Connecticut State University, Kelly directs the Eastern Concert Band, teaches courses in conducting, and in arts leadership. Guest conducting engagements include several collegiate ensembles across the U.S. and many United States Coast Guard Band and Chamber Players performances, as well as regional and district honor ensembles in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

 

Kelly's study of conducting has been fostered by her good friend and mentor Dr. James Patrick Miller and through private and symposium instruction under the tutelage of Dr. Mallory Thompson, Dr. Michelle Rakers, H. Robert Reynolds, Frank Battisti, and Eugene Corporon, among others. From 2013-2016 they served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band in New York City. In this post, they led an ensemble of 100+ musicians in concerts and educational outreach initiatives across Manhattan, including collaborations with Randy Graff (Les Miserables), Liz Callaway (Broadway, Tony nominee) and Carol Jantsch (Philadelphia Orchestra).

 

Kelly earned a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and a Master of Music from Illinois State University. They currently serve as the Connecticut State Chair in the Eastern Division of the College Band Directors National Association and on the Board of Directors of the Athena Brass Band.