Creative Thought-Leader. Educator. Artist.
A veteran Berklee professor, international musician, and higher-education specialist who thrives at the intersection of arts, community, and social justice.
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ABOUT ME
At the Intersection of Arts, Community & Social Justice
Kaye is a veteran faculty member at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she teaches ear training and classes on artistry, creativity, and professional development. She is an active singer, songwriter, arranger, and bandleader in New England.
She is an expert grant writer and an outspoken advocate for independent artists. Kaye has won multiple state awards for her work in the arts, including being named a 2023 Commonwealth Heroine for the State of Massachusetts.
An avid writer, she also creates multimedia art focused on social issues. Kaye lives outside of Boston with her husband, four kids, Newfoundland "Fern," and four tarantulas.
FULL BIOGRAPHY
Kaye's Story
Kaye Kelly, a visionary arts administrator, international musician, and higher-education specialist, thrives at the intersection of arts, community and social justice.
Kaye created and facilitated the first global Cultural Festival in Franklin, MA. The groundbreaking event featured 52 artisan vendors, 10 food trucks, a beer garden and seven international musical acts that culminated in the performance of the Grammy-winning timbale player, Eguie Castrillo and the Mar del Norte Salsa Orchestra. Its success built bridges in a fractured community during and after the pandemic.
In its second year, State Senator Becca Rausch advocated to create a $10,000 line-item for the festival in the Massachusetts State budget due to its valuable impact on the community in cultivating diversity in the arts. Kaye also created the first regional MetroWest Arts and Culture Symposium, partnering with Mass Cultural Council and state wide art leaders. This is now a much anticipated annual event.
In 2023, Kaye was nominated by her state senator to receive the prestigious "Commonwealth Heroine" award at the State House honoring her for her work with arts in her community.
Her personal endeavor, The SheGrooves Collective, is a female-forward band comprised of Berklee faculty and students that is an expression of empowerment and representation. As the founder and musical director of the group, Kaye headlines the performances with a cast of multicultural women. In 2023 the Mass Cultural Council awarded Kaye $8,000 in grants to perform across the state. Kaye was also the recipient of the competitive "Chalk Hill Artist Residency," a week-long retreat in Sonoma County, CA.
A senior professor in the Ear Training Department at Berklee College of Music, Kaye specializes in teacher training and recently authored a 12-week ear training course that will be used to mentor educators at Berklee's Global Partner institutions. In 2018, she traveled to Valencia, Spain for five months to work with administration to fine tune the Ear Training curriculum.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Timeline
1990s
Begins 30-year career as a professional vocalist, songwriter, arranger & bandleader in New England
2021
Creates and facilitates Franklin, MA's first global Cultural Festival featuring Grammy-winning Eguie Castrillo & the Mar del Norte Salsa Orchestra
2023
Named a Massachusetts Commonwealth Heroine for outstanding work in the arts. Mass Cultural Council awards $8,000 in grants to SheGrooves Collective.
2025
Publishes The Modern Creative: A Practical Guide for 21st Century Artists
2018
Travels to Valencia, Spain for five months to fine-tune the Berklee Valencia campus ear training curriculum
2022
Organizes the first regional MetroWest Arts and Culture Symposium partnering with Mass Cultural Council
2023
Recipient of the competitive Chalk Hill Artist Residency, a week-long creative retreat in Sonoma County, CA
2026
Named TEDx Walden Pond Speaker — taking the TEDx stage in Boston this fall
AFFILIATION
Senior Professor, Berklee College of Music
Teaching ear training, artistry, and professional development at one of the world's leading music institutions. Curriculum developer for Berklee's Global Partner institutions.