MUSIC TEACHER/ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR/PERFORMER
Sally Kelton is a harpist with over 15 years of orchestral experience performing with professional orchestras. She has arranged elegant harp solo and harp ensemble performances for weddings, receptions and other social functions. Performing ability highly contributes to teaching ability because both require an understanding of organizational and preparatory skills, excellent communication, and ultimately the ability to execute a high standard performance.
- PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE -
PROFESSIONAL HARPIST
I Started studying the harp at the age of 10 and performed with the Lexington Philharmonic by the age of 16. I continued throughout undergraduate training performing with the Erie Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, Youngstown Symphony, and the Cleveland Opera Theatre. I continued my education in New York and performed with the Bronx Symphony and the Utica Symphony. Most recently I performed harp with the West Virginia Symphony, Louisville Symphony, and the Lexington Philharmonic where I edited and performed contemporary music which was reviewed in the New York Times saying, "The Harp is particularly arresting...had a basic competence." A review in the Villiage Voice commented, "It was especially delightful for Sally Kelton's bending of her harp's pitches."
I also studio recorded for Phil Marco Productions in New York City and appeared on A Masterpiece of Sound! with the West Virginia Virginia Symphony.
PRIVATE HARP AND PIANO TEACHER SINCE 1993
Schedule and organize harp and piano students' weekly lessons. Coach students to produce their individual highest level of achievement. My goal is to maintain an honest and encouraging communication with students.
• Participated in the Kentucky Federated Music Club's Festival in which 100% of piano students received superior ratings.
• Scheduled and organized student's performances for community services.
• Taught students with mental disabilities. This greatly helped increase the student's quality of life by instigating a supervised daily music lesson plan.
• Worked as a substitute teacher in the Fayette County Public School system which expanded behavior management skills in a student/teacher setting.
• Taught music at Versailles Montessori School where I innovated a music program involving approx. 140 students most not having any musical background. Here I also organized, prepared, directed and initiated students' creative abilities in performing three musical programs in a 6 week time period.
STRING ENSEMBLE TEACHER
I participated in organizing, preparing and conducting orchestral students in the University of Kentucky Strings Project. I prepared lesson plans, learned age appropriate orchestra repertoire, and directed 30 beginning level students in the final concert.
JUDICATURE
Judged the solo harp participants of the Lexington Federated Music Club Festival. This consisted of the critique of approx. 15 harp students whereby I provided useful and motivational observations to help further their pursuits.
- EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS -
Maters of Music Education Program Orchestra Certification at the University of Kentucky - Lexington, KY
Master of Music (Harp Performance), Mannes College of Music - New York, NY
Bachelors of Music (Harp Performance), Cleveland Institute of Music (cum laude) - Cleveland, OH
Orff-Schulwerk Level 1 Certification
University of Kentucky Strings Project
National Association for Music Education
American Orff-Schulwerk Association
The National Society of Arts and Letters
Lexington Federated Music Club