Carolyn Kelley

Carolyn Kelley

University Mentor

Office: UMC-C304
e-mail: choralcjk@earthlink.net

Carolyn Kelley earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from California State University, Long Beach. After receiving her California State Secondary Ryan Credential in music she began her career at Bellflower Middle/High School in the Bellflower Unified School District.

At Bellflower, Ms. Kelley directed a wide range of choirs, welcoming students of all abilities and experience. Her students performed extensively in the community and throughout the United States and British Columbia. In addition, she taught handbells, beginning band, and AP music theory, and was the musical director for 38 BHS/MS musicals.

Ms. Kelley is an active advocate for the arts. She served as the Bellflower High School Performing Arts Instructional leader for 3 decades where she oversaw a department with full theater, vocal and instrumental music programs. She advocated for students at the district level as well, serving on two district advisory councils with a goal of making sure that all students had access to the performing arts. The Bellflower Unified School District selected her as the 2001 District Teacher of the Year, and she was also selected as a Music Center education Division Bravo Award Finalist.

From 2016 through 2020 Ms. Kelley supported her colleagues by serving on the Executive Board of the Bellflower Teachers Association as a Secondary Representative. She has been the Treasurer for the Southern California Vocal Association since 2005.

In addition to her role as Vocal Director at Bellflower, Ms. Kelley served for 25 years as music director at Emanuel Lutheran Church, La Habra. She was a Vocal Jazz and Voice instructor at Santa Ana Community College, directed the Tapestry Community Bell Choir, and was a member of the Laurie Morvan Band.

Ms. Kelley retired in June 2020 and is excited about her new role supervising student teachers. She is grateful for her education at CSULB, and looks forward to being a part of mentoring the next generation of music teachers.