Kelly Barr

Kelly Michelle Barr was born in Aurora, Illinois, and raised on a farm in Big Rock. She began violin studies at age four under the guidance of Patricia Austin, her sister and owner of Austin’s Violins in Sugar Grove, Stan Smith of Arizona, and Susan S. Starrett of North Aurora. At twelve, she performed as a soloist with the DuPaul Symphony Orchestra at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall and later for a recital series at the Jordanian Conservatory in Amman, presented to members of King Hussein and Queen Noor’s family. She was also selected for the American Soviet Youth Orchestra, performing across four continents, and frequently appeared with the Fox Valley Youth Orchestra.

Barr began her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, transferring to the University of Minnesota to study with Roland and Almita Vamos. In 1990, she entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston for graduate studies under James Buswell, participating in the NEC Honors Piano Trio and winning several competitions, including the Schubert Club Concerto Competition and the From the Top Chamber Music Competition.

In 1993, Barr became the primary substitute violinist for the Saint Louis Symphony under Leonard Slatkin and, in 1996, joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa and later James Levine, also performing with the Boston Pops under John Williams and Keith Lockhart until 2009. She began teaching at the New England Conservatory and the Rivers Music School in Weston, MA, and is recognized as a sought-after private instructor, coaching students from across the U.S. and abroad. She also teaches for Project STEP, supporting talented young musicians from historically underrepresented communities, and is a member of the Massachusetts National Teachers Association.

In 2000, Barr was featured by Fox Valley Arts (now Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame) on a concert series celebrating world-renowned violinist Maud Powell, a fellow Fox Valley native. Her career as a performer and educator reflects both international distinction and a deep commitment to cultivating the next generation of musicians.