Wesley Kelly was born on May 12, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a pianist and his father a cellist. From a young age, Wesley showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He was a prodigious talent and quickly progressed to more advanced pieces. Wesley's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. They enrolled him in the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division, where he studied under the renowned pianist Yoheved Kaplinsky. Wesley's talent continued to flourish under Kaplinsky's tutelage, and he won several competitions and awards during his time at Juilliard. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Wesley went on to attend the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. There, he studied under the pianist Gary Graffman, who had also taught Kaplinsky. Graffman recognized Wesley's exceptional talent and worked closely with him to refine his technique and musicality. Wesley's career as a concert pianist began to take off while he was still a student at Curtis. He made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2006, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. The performance was a resounding success, and Wesley received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Over the next few years, Wesley continued to perform with major orchestras and at prestigious venues around the world. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2008, performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the New York Philharmonic. The performance was a highlight of Wesley's career, and it cemented his reputation as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. Wesley's repertoire was wide-ranging, and he was equally at home performing works by classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven as he was playing more contemporary pieces by composers like John Adams and Philip Glass. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the music of Chopin, and his performances of Chopin's works were often described as revelatory. In addition to his career as a concert pianist, Wesley was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, passing on his knowledge and expertise to the next generation of musicians. His students spoke highly of his teaching style, describing him as patient, encouraging, and inspiring. Wesley's career was tragically cut short in 2012 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Despite undergoing treatment, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he passed away on December 1, 2012, at the age of 27. Wesley's death was a devastating loss to the classical music world. He had been widely regarded as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation, and his talent and musicality had touched the hearts of audiences around the world. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear him perform live. Throughout his career, Wesley received numerous awards and accolades for his performances. In 2007, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show exceptional promise for the future. He was also a recipient of the Gilmore Young Artist Award, which is given to pianists who demonstrate extraordinary talent and potential. Wesley's recordings were also highly acclaimed.

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