Richard Kelley attended the Juilliard School of Music, performing frequently in New York City and abroad. He has performed with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, New York Chamber Soloists, New York Pops, New York Trumpet Ensemble, Philharmonic Virtuosi, and the American Theatre Orchestra.

Rich has taught in Juilliard's Music Advancement Program and has several recordings, ranging from solo performances to television commercials and motion pictures. A native of Boston, he was selected at the age of sixteen to perform as a soloist with the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops. Rich's unique blend of classical and jazz virtuosity in his performances make him a driving force in the music world today.

He has performed with many Broadway shows, such as Les Miserables, Crazy for You, Will Rogers Follies, Cats, Showboat, Secret Garden, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Rich writes a few personal comments...

I started playing trumpet in the sixth grade in the Boston Public School system. My band directors had a deeply profound influence on me. Without them, I would not be playing professionally today. Mrs. Sandrea Faulk started me on trumpet in the 6th grade, and I've never enjoyed the excitement of learning, and practicing as much as learning the trumpet. I thank Mrs. Faulk for that gift as often as possible!

Then I switched schools to move onto the seventh grade and had an equally cool band director, Mr. Jerry Boisen. He was a wonderful clarinetist, and played for me often. I believe playing with him and imitating him, helped to enhance my flexibility on the trumpet. However I couldn't play very loudly for a while, but I'm getting better!

One of things that changed my life, and my thoughts on being a professional musician was a Concerto Competition, put on by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Boisen showed me the flyer, and simply said: "You should do this." Then we began working on the solo piece: The Hummel Trumpet Concerto. I never expected to win! In fact my goal on stage during my audition was NOT SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY!!! After I won and played the Concert, I was asked back on three separate occasions to play as a soloist with not only the B.S.O. but also the Boston Pops Orchestra. At this point I took several lessons with Mr. James Tinsley, a trumpeter with the Boston Pops Orchestra. These were my first private lessons ever, and wow what an eye opener! Mr. Tinsley then put me in touch with two other members of the Pops orchestra: Mr. Prentice Pilot, bassist, and his wife: Ann Pilot. The two decided to help me get to the next level by buying me my first professional trumpet: A Bach Stradivarius! There was no way I could afford one at that time, and I'll be forever thankful for their kindness and faith in me. Shortly after this, I was featured on ABC's "Chronicle" when they did a show on child prodigies. And to think up to this point, I hated high school!

     Another unforeseen inspiration in my life, occured when the Principal Trumpet of the B.S.O., Mr. Charles Schlueter, offered to teach me, and at the time I had no idea what an honor and life changing experience this would turn out to be! After studying with Mr. Schlueter for three years in high school, I was admitted into The Juilliard School of Music. I feel my first teachers had shown me how to love music, and the instrument, how to practice and excel, how to breathe correctly and transpose and now I was also blessed to spend four years studying with the co-principle trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Mr. Marc Gould. He taught me so much about musicality and versatility in music, and that all music has motion. Every phrase always has direction, moving toward a point, or coming away from a point in the piece you're playing. If that's not happening then you have "dead wood" adrift and aimless. If you're not thinking about where you're going then you're probably not making the best phrase that you could be making. These were the most profound musical lessons I have ingested in my life. I thank every teacher I've had for these invaluable lessons of life and music. They are all truly my inspirations, and without them, I would not be playing professionally today.

Moving to New York I was blessed to play with several orchestras, chamber orchestras, Broadway shows, Brass Quintets, Brass Bands, Funk Bands, Television Commercials, movie soundtracks, and so on. I've even been fortunate enough to work with such artists as: Ray Charles, Vanessa L. Williams, James Taylor, Madeline Kahn, Bernadette Peters, Glenn Close, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, The Vienna Boys Choir, The Boys Choir of Harlem, and many more. I've also had the pleasure of performing on many recordings. After eleven years of countless opportunities, I decided to move back to Boston. Slightly less hustle and bustle! Three weeks after I arrived back in Beantown, I got a call from Boston Brass. They were in need of a trumpeter for a month long tour, and got my name from a mutual friend in New York, and the rest, as they say, is history!

I've had my share of disappointments, mistakes, and yes, embarrassments, But I've been fortunate to have the VAST majority of my career be positive experiences!