About

Kelly Watkins (she/they) is an accomplished musician and arts leader, with a dynamic career that spans performance, education, conducting, and administration. With a versatile skill set and a deep commitment to fostering artistic excellence, Kelly has made significant contributions across all facets of the music world.

Over the course of a distinguished 20-year tenure with the United States Coast Guard Band, Kelly performed nationally and internationally, with engagements across the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. During this time she also had the privilege of providing musical support for heads of state and numerous U.S. Presidents. Additionally, Kelly was responsible for developing and coordinating extensive concert tours, including hundreds of performances across 40+ U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Taiwan.

In 2022, Kelly joined the staff of the Grammy Award-winning chamber ensemble Sō Percussion as Tour and Production Operations Manager. Further showcasing her versatility and leadership in the field, Kelly can also be found on faculty at Eastern Connecticut State University, where she directs the Eastern Concert Band and teaches applied conducting. Her career reflects an unwavering dedication to artistic excellence, diversity, and collaboration, both on stage and in leadership roles.

A graduate of Illinois State University and Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Kelly is currently pursuing a DMA in Conducting at the University of Connecticut. She is a past President of the International Women’s Brass Conference and has served on the Board of Directors of the Athena Brass Band. Additionally, Kelly holds the position of Connecticut State Chair in the Eastern Division of the College Band Directors National Association.