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Having studied in Germany with the legendary French ’cellist Paul Tortellier, Gerry Kelly has performed in Europe, the US and Canada.

He is the founder/director of the Cork City String Quartet which specialises in Wedding music. They have performed nationwide from Donegal to Dingle in every type of setting from the chapel in Clongowes Wood to outdoors in Fairy Valley near Bantry.

He is the managing director of the Cork Pops Orchestra.(www.corkpops.ie) Irelands only ‘community orchestra’ ( Conductor - Evelyn Grant)

He has been involved in commissioning new compositions from TC Kelly, John Kinsella, Gerald Barry, Marion Ingoldsby and particularly the Spanish composer Angel Climent whose cello concerto he premiered. He has also give first performances of Angel’s ‘cello sonata and his suite for solo ‘cello. He has been active as a patron and promoter of concerts both nationally and internationally since 1982. He has an interest in developing cultural links with China and has visited various cultural institutions in Shanghai. He was recently involved in bringing a Chinese Opera group to Cork. He has also given masterclasses in Japan.

He has been board member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland for over thirty years. He served on the Recreation, Amenity and Culture committee of Cork City Council for 10 years and he has provided entertainment for practically every major festival since Cork 800 in 1985.

Gerry Kelly is a former lecturer at the Cork School of Music

He is an active campaigner for music education he was centrally involved in the campaign for the new Cork School of Music. He has been involved in an number of innovative outreach programmes.

He is married to Evelyn Grant and they have 4 children- all of whom are professional musicians.