Dr. Ryan Kelly

Conductor | Educator | Arts Administrator




Ryan Kelly is the inaugural Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he is also associate professor of music in wind conducting. In this role, he provides oversight and strategic direction for academic programs and curricular initiatives, student health and wellness, career readiness, and accreditation. Dr. Kelly was previously Associate Director of Bands and Associate Director of the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin where in addition to his administrative responsibilities, he conducted the Wind Symphony and New Music Ensemble, taught graduate and undergraduate conducting, and served as Director of Longhorn Music Camp. Before joining the UT faculty, he was Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Florida, where he served as Director of the Marching Knights, conducted the Symphonic Band, and taught courses in music education.

Dr. Kelly remains an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He conducts All-State and regional honor bands throughout the United States, and in summers, teaches on the faculty of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project as part of the Mid-Europe Festival in Schladming, Austria. As an arranger, Dr. Kelly has collaborated with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts and Grammy-nominated composer Adam Schoenberg to transcribe, premiere, and publish their music for wind ensemble. As a researcher and author, he has published articles in Research Perspectives in Music Education, Florida Music Director, and Southwestern Musician. Dr. Kelly has presented at the state music conferences of Texas, Florida, and Ohio, the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Biennial National Conference, and the CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium. While residing in Austin, he curated and hosted a weekly radio show on KMFA Classical 89.5, Austin’s classical radio station, featuring performances from UT students and faculty.

A native of northern Virginia, Dr. Kelly received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Florida State University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. Before teaching at the university level, he was a high school band director in Lakeland and Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Kelly has previously served as Chair of the Social Media Committee for CBDNA, Secretary for the Big 12 Band Directors Association, and was a member the Board of Directors for the Florida Music Educators Association. His professional affiliations include CBDNA, the College Music Society, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and BMI.

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