Kelly Brand

Kelly Brand, a native of Evanston, Illinois, received her B.A. at the University of Illinois, Champaign. While there she performed in innovative jazz bands led by John Garvey and saxophonist Ron Dewar. After college Kelly returned to Evanston and began her performing career in the Chicago area while continuing to study at the Chicago Musical College with the renowned teacher Ms. G. Golub. In 1982 Brand married bassist Kelly Sill and in 1990 their daughter Naomi was born.

Brand is an active performer on the Chicago jazz scene playing frequent club and concert dates. In 1999 Kelly joined Marion McPartland on stage at Ravinia for a double piano jazz performance. Ms. McPartland wrote for the notes on Brand's first CD “a fine young pianist who plays with elegance and sensitivity.”

Brand continues to be in demand for performances in public venues and private events as a soloist, bandleader, and sideman. In addition she is an experienced teacher and clinician and taught for the Merit School of Music. Currently Kelly is a teaching artist in the Ravinia Music Discovery Program and also plays and conducts clinics in the Chicago schools with Pangaea featuring Ari Brown, Kelly Sill, and Avreal Ra. They are sponsored by the International Music Foundation, an umbrella group of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

You can also learn more about Kelly Brand at www.KellyBrand.com

To inquire about taking Piano Lessons with Kelly, contact our Winnetka studio at 847.446.2048