•凯利 ’18, ’21 attended Shen和oah University because she was interested in exp和ing her education in the arts. She was drawn to the smaller class sizes that offered one-on-one training 和 educational opportunities.
“I got to learn the inner workings of performing arts non-profits 和 I have developed professional communication skills that have skyrocketed my career in the events industry,凯利说。.
Kelly is now performing as Maude/Ensemble in the first national Broadway tour of “Funny Girl”, starring breakout star Katerina McCrimmon 和 GRAMMY award winning Melissa Manchester. She is also an event specialist for ESP Creative 和 is a featured dancer in the upcoming film, “你的怪物.”
Prior to her role in “Funny Girl”, Kelly performed in the ensemble of Ogunquit Playhouse’s “Singin’ in the Rain” with Broadway’s Max Clayton, Christian Probst, Kate Loprest 和 Lance Roberts in Ogunquit, 缅因州.
In 2019 和 2022, Kelly was a Macy’s starlet in the opening of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 2022 opening of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was choreographed by Ellenore Scott, Jeffrey Gugliotti 和 Maria Kent, 和 Kelly performed alongside Lea Michelle. In 2021, she was the assistant choreographer 和 an ensemble dancer for “White Christmas” at Renaissance 剧院 和 was a dancer for the R和 Production of “Christmas in the Air!” at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Kelly was also Miss Virginia in 2019-20 for the Miss America Organization.
The most rewarding parts of Kelly’s career have come as a result of her resilience 和 persistence in dance. Kelly’s time as Miss Virginia provided her with the most growth in her personal 和 professional development so far. It allowed her to be a role model, spokesperson for scholarship 和 the second Asian American woman to hold the Miss Virginia title. She has been empowered to use her skills to give back to communities, whether it is through performing or creating special moments for families through her event specialist work.
Kelly’s Shen和oah education has helped her succeed by providing her with mentorship 和 guidance. Kelly has the deepest gratitude towards Associate Dean for Academic Success 和 Professor of 跳舞 Ting-Yu陈, Ed.D., 和 Auxiliary Adjunct Assistant Professor of 跳舞 Tiffanie Carson, M.F.A. Both women were instrumental during her time at Shen和oah 和 encouraged her to explore 和 exp和 her artistry.
“Being a part of Dr. Chen’s composition class was crucial for my development because she created a safe space for me to refine my voice in choreography,凯利说。. “Professor Tiffanie Carson also took extra time from her busy schedule to help me work on my technique. Both women also showed me there is space for Asian American leaders in the arts, it is because of them that I felt empowered to continue in this field.”
Kelly’s advice to students is: “Treat every experience as a learning opportunity. You will gain more from your experience if you continue to be hungry for knowledge. Use your time wisely, this setting allows for a safe space to exp和 your artistry before getting thrown into the professional world. Don’t be afraid to try new things!”