East Studio Building, JS406
Ryan Kelly is the inaugural associate dean for academic affairs and student success, Otto Notthacksberger Chair in Music, and associate professor of music in bands at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
In his associate dean’s role, he provides oversight and strategic direction for curriculum and academic programs, student health and wellness, career readiness, and accreditation. He was named to the Otto Notthacksberger Chair in Music in 2025.
Kelly was previously associate director of the Butler School of Music and associate director of Bands at The University of Texas (UT) at Austin, where 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 and a high school band director in Lakeland and Tallahassee, Florida.
Kelly remains an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. Recent engagements include All-State and regional honor bands throughout the United States, serving as honorary president and guest conductor for the fiftieth anniversary of the Concierto Mano a Mano in Buñol, Spain, and serving as a regular instructor and guest conductor for the Mid Europe Wind Band Festival in Schladming, Austria.
As an arranger, Kelly has collaborated with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts and Emmy Award-winning 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. He 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.
Kelly is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and holds professional affiliations with CBDNA, the College Music Society, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma. He was previously chair of the social media committee for CBDNA, secretary for the Big 12 Band Directors Association, and a member of the board of directors for the Florida Music Educators Association. A native of northern Virginia, Kelly received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Florida State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from The University of Texas at Austin.