Patricia Kelly

Job Titles

• Adjunct Instructor of Music, Director of Orchestras and Orchestra Activities
  Music and Theatre , College of Arts and Sciences

Highlight

Patricia Kelly is Director of Orchestras and Orchestra Activities, serving as conductor of the Bethel Chamber and Bethel Philharmonic Orchestras. Patricia is an active freelance violist, clinician, guest conductor, and private teacher. She has played with the Nicollet Quartet for 30 years. She has been Artistic Director with Minnesota Youth Symphonies and currently is the Director of MYS Summer Programs. She has conducted the MYS String Orchestra for 25 years.

Started at Bethel

2021

Education

• St. Catherine University - B.A. in Music Education, 1982
• University of Minnesota - M.A. in Music Education, 1991

Biography

Patricia Kelly joined the music faculty of Bethel University in 2021 as the Director of Orchestras and Orchestra Activities where she directs the Bethel Chamber Orchestra, the Bethel Philharmonic Orchestra, and also teaches private violin/viola lessons and chamber ensembles. Professor Kelly has taught at the University of Minnesota and has led many state-wide and nationally recognized string departments as director, from Ramsey International Fine Arts Center in Minneapolis to Minnesota Youth Symphonies. She holds degrees from St. Catherine’s University and the University of Minnesota.

Patricia Kelly is Artistic Director with Minnesota Youth Symphonies and has conducted the String Orchestra for over twenty years. She has received numerous awards for outstanding programs, teaching and conducting such as Master Music Educator from the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), Outstanding Orchestra Program (ASTA), National Orchestra Festival (ASTA), Minnesota Music Educators Association Convention (MMEA), and the National Principals Association. She is known as a builder of orchestral programs and founded the MNSOTA Orchestra Festival, Minneapolis All-City Orchestras, and the International Fine Arts String Program in Minneapolis.

Patricia Kelly is a champion of creating diverse classical orchestras. She initiated and co-founded the Roseville Area Schools Orchestra Foundation that raises funds for students without means to have private lessons. This then allows them to prepare auditions outside the school setting. She believes in collaboration and has sought out partners such as poets, visual artists, Hmong and Native American musicians and well as classical institutions such as the Ordway Center for the Arts, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra. She has hosted many internationally known artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin as well as jazz great Ray Brown.

Professor Kelly is a professional violist and has played in the Nicollet Quartet for over 30 years. She is a member of the American String Teachers Association, Minnesota Music Educators Association, and the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association. She has one son of whom she is very proud.