FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Kelly, DMA, as Associate Professor of Music (Bands) and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success, effective August 1, 2023, pending approval of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Kelly will be the inaugural holder of this new associate dean position.
Kelly is a wind conductor and the Associate Director of the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin; there, he is also Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Practice in Conducting. Prior to joining the UT faculty, he was Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Florida, where he served as Director of the Marching Knights, conducted the Symphonic Band, and taught courses in music education.
“Ryan has the breadth and depth of collaborative experience to work in this new, cross-channel role,” said Abra Bush, David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean. “We are very excited that he will be coming to Jacobs to fulfill this newly created position focusing on our students.”
As an arranger, Kelly has collaborated with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts and GRAMMY-nominated composer Adam Schoenberg to transcribe, premiere, and publish their music for wind ensemble. He conducts All-State and regional honor bands throughout the United States, and during the summers, Kelly teaches on the faculty of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project as part of the Mid-Europe Festival in Schladming, Austria.
As a researcher and author, he has published articles in Research Perspectives in Music Education, Florida Music Director, and Southwestern Musician. Hailing from northern Virginia, Kelly received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Florida State University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. Kelly has previously served as Chair of the Social Media Committee for CBDNA, Secretary for the Big 12 Band Directors Association, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Florida Music Educators Association.
“We are thrilled that such a talented artist and teacher will be joining the Jacobs School administration,” said Eric Smedley, Department of Bands chair. “Ryan Kelly will be an outstanding resource for the students of the Jacobs School of Music and the Department of Bands is proud to be his faculty home. We look forward to working on future projects with him.”
The position of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Success at the Jacobs School of Music was created for the purpose of evaluating and supporting academic programs, new degrees and curricular initiatives, and matters of accreditation. The Associate Dean will also provide oversight and strategic direction to enhance both undergraduate and graduate student success, work to close the equity gap for under-represented students and oversee health and wellness initiatives for the student population.