Alumni Spotlight: Dana Kelley ’14 MM
Violist Dana Kelley, Assistant Principal of the National Symphony Orchestra, has been praised for her rich and beautiful tone. She has been a top prizewinner in the Sphinx Music Competition, the Irving M. Klein International String Competition, the M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, and Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition. She is also a member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, and has performed as guest Principal of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and as a member of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Dana’s performance schedule has brought her to many prestigious venues and festivals, including multiple recitals at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Recital Hall at New York’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Koch Theater, the Ravinia Festival, and Bravo! Vail. Dana has collaborated with artists such as Ralph Kirshbaum, Nobuko Imai and Miriam Fried, pianists Leon Fleisher, Anne-Marie MacDermott and Misha Dichter, and Astrid Schween of the Juilliard String Quartet.
Dana was a 2014 to 2016 Fellow in Ensemble Connect, a performance and teaching program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute. She received her Bachelor’s of Music from the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, studying violin with Cornelia Heard and viola with Kathryn Plummer, and completed her Master’s of Music degree at the New England Conservatory as a student of Kim Kashkashian. Dana received an Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies with the Argus String Quartet as the 2017-2019 Graduate Quartet in Residence at The Juilliard School. Dana serves on the viola faculty of the Mannes School of Music.
Why did you choose NEC?
I chose NEC for the opportunity to study with Kim Kashkashian.
What have you been up to since graduating from NEC? What projects have you been working on? Do you have any goals you are looking to accomplish?
I spent 11 years in New York as a freelancer. I was in a string quartet for 3 years and became a member of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and The Orchestra of St. Luke's. Now, I am Assistant Principal in the National Symphony. I have always loved ensemble playing and am happy I have been able to make a career.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time at NEC?
Some of my favorite memories include playing in an unconducted chamber orchestra for the first time, seeing great artists in Jordan Hall, and feeling like part of a positive community.
Share a story about one of your favorite faculty or studio instructors.
One time, the heater in Kim's room was malfunctioning and it was unbearably hot. She had called building services multiple times to try to get a fix, but the problem persisted. One day, she called and said "if you don't fix it, I will teach naked." The heater was fixed by the end of the day!
How have your NEC experiences shaped your artistic approach?
My musical world was greatly expanded at NEC. When I encounter a fellow graduate, I am confident that we share the same artistic values. I always strive to create community in my music making.
Share any other stories about what has inspired you at NEC and beyond.
During my time at NEC, not only did I become a better violist, I became a better musician, better person, and better community member.
Do you have any advice for young musicians/current NEC students?
Being a musician is one of the hardest things a person can choose to do. It's a difficult lifestyle; it can be lonely, and the work never stops. But it can also bring solace, to yourself and others, in times of existential stress.
Learn More About Dana:
Current Job: Assistant Principal Viola, National Symphony Orchestra
Major: Viola Performance
Degree: Master of Music
Class Year: 2014
Instrument: Viola
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