Kellen Gray signs to Knight Classical for Worldwide General Management
Knight Classical are delighted to welcome Scotland-based American conductor Kellen Gray for worldwide General Management.
Born and raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Kellen’s early professional life took him on a diverse path ranging from orchestral violinist to beekeeper, before turning his full-time attention to conducting.
Now the inaugural Associate Artist of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, he has gone on to earn a reputation for his impressive and diverse array of traditional and experimental programming, and provocative multimedia concert experience curation. His symphonic recordings have been received to great critical acclaim, including a 5* review from Diapason.
Between his extensive research at The Center for Black Music Research (CBMR) at Columbia College Chicago, and his continued service as Assistant Editor & Conductor Liaison for the African Diaspora Music Project, Kellen stands as one of the foremost experts and interpreters of the music of African-diasporic composers. His passionate advocacy for this under-represented compositional catalogue sees him create and lead various programming and performance initiatives aiming to illustrate the importance of African-American arts and culture as equally valuable to its European equivalent.
The decision to sign with Knight Classical marks Kellen’s first partnership with an artist management agency.
“I am elated to partner with Alexandra Knight and Knight Classical for general management. Alexandra and her team’s mindful and personal approach immediately led me to feel this would be the natural fit to entrust my artistic growth. Truly, I feel at home. This company’s curiosity, love of great art, and passionate advocacy brings me both confidence and excitement for what lies ahead!”
KELLEN GRAY | conductor
“I’m delighted with the announcement that Kellen Gray will be represented by Knight Classical. Working with Kellen at the RSNO over the past two and a half years has been one of the absolute highlights of my years as CEO. Kellen has lit up the organisation with his musicianship, his thinking, and his deep engagement with both musicians and staff. He is a wonderful musician who is the most natural collaborator and communicator. To have a musician of Kellen’s quality who is able to widen our horizons and present fresh repertoire with a unique integrity is a gift to the whole of the classical music community.”
ALISTAIR MACKEY | CEO, Royal Scottish National Orchestra
“Kellen is one of the warmest personalities I have had the pleasure of meeting in the music business, and it is truly exciting to begin working with such a thoughtful, versatile, and imaginative artistic mind. His calm authority and deep knowledge of the music of under-represented composers is supremely impressive, and he is already proving himself to be an inspiring leader – both of people, and of positive change. I am proud to work with him in the development of what I am sure will be a dynamic and compelling conducting career, and greatly look forward to the path ahead.”
ALEXANDRA KNIGHT | Founder & CEO, Knight Classical
Recent and forthcoming guest conducting highlights in Kellen’s diary include engagements with such orchestras as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra (Washington), Oregon Mozart Players, Philharmonia Orchestra (London), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Seattle Opera, amongst others.
