Jean Kelly is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Born in London, England, on 22nd February 1971, Kelly grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, a professional cellist, and her mother, a pianist, instilled in her a love for music from a young age. Kelly began playing the harp at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Kelly's early musical education was at the Purcell School of Music in London, where she studied under the tutelage of Daphne Boden. She then went on to study at the Royal College of Music, where she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Scholarship. During her time at the Royal College of Music, Kelly studied with renowned harpists such as Marisa Robles and Skaila Kanga. Kelly's talent as a harpist was quickly recognized, and she began performing professionally while still a student. In 1992, she won the prestigious Royal Overseas League Music Competition, which helped to launch her career. She went on to win numerous other awards, including the Lily Laskine International Harp Competition in France and the Israel International Harp Competition. Kelly's career as a soloist has taken her all over the world, and she has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She has also collaborated with many renowned conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Colin Davis, and Sir John Eliot Gardiner. One of the highlights of Kelly's career was her performance at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. She played a solo harp piece composed by John Williams, which was broadcast to an estimated audience of over one billion people worldwide. The performance was widely praised, and Kelly was hailed as a national treasure. Kelly is also a passionate advocate for contemporary music and has commissioned and premiered many new works for the harp. She has worked with composers such as Harrison Birtwistle, Thomas Ades, and Mark-Anthony Turnage, and has recorded several albums of contemporary harp music. In addition to her work as a soloist, Kelly is also a dedicated chamber musician. She has performed with many leading chamber ensembles, including the Nash Ensemble and the London Sinfonietta. She is a founding member of the Britten Sinfonia, a chamber orchestra based in Cambridge, England, and has been a member of the ensemble since its inception in 1992. Kelly is also a committed teacher and has taught at many leading music schools, including the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She is currently a professor of harp at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she is passing on her knowledge and expertise to the next generation of harpists. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to music, Kelly has been awarded numerous honors. In 2002, she was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist Award, and in 2011, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music. She was also awarded the Queen's Medal for Music in 2019, which is awarded annually to an individual or group who has had a major influence on the musical life of the nation. In conclusion, Jean Kelly is a remarkable musician who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music.

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