Kelly DeMorett. Photo: Chris Emeott
Kelly DeMorett brings a lifetime of musical excellence to the Minnesota Youth Symphonies Philharmonic Orchestra.
For Kelly DeMorett, music is a lifelong passion. “I was kind of just born into it,” she says. With a musically talented mother, who was a junior high school orchestra teacher at the time DeMorett was born and participated in community bands and orchestras, DeMorett was exposed from a young age to the sounds of various musical ensembles. She started playing violin in first grade and picked up a new instrument every year after that: piano, viola, cello, alto and tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet and, finally, oboe.
DeMorett always knew she wanted to pursue music professionally. She has excelled as a performing musician, private teacher, middle and high school orchestra director, and is now onto an exciting new role: conductor of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS) Philharmonic Orchestra.
DeMorett, who will also continue in her role as the director of orchestras at East Ridge High School, succeeds MYS director of 27 years, Jim Bartsch. “I was thinking about the thousands of young musicians he’s worked with, mentored and inspired. It’s mind-boggling how many are playing in major symphony orchestras now who can look back and say Jim is the reason they’re there,” DeMorett says. “I want to be that person. That’s the legacy I want to continue.”
While the role at MYS is similar to other positions DeMorett has held, she’s keenly aware of some distinctions that make it a special place. Students commit their Saturdays to showing up and rehearsing. “Seeing them tired but ready on a Saturday morning makes me want to be better,” she says. “I don’t want to just walk in and see what happens. I want to be ready. I want to know the history of the music and get them excited about it. They inspire me to be more prepared and be a better musician myself.”
DeMorett has the impressive skill of being able to push students to their musical excellence, while also being relatable. She’ll often bring in instruments to practice or problem solve alongside students. “Students enjoy hearing about my different experiences as a professional performer—at a holiday gig in a string quartet, at a women’s prison, at a volunteer dinner. It’s valuable for them to understand how they can find different things to play for in different situations,” she says.
An excellent orchestra requires a sense of community. “Musical excellence is the forefront goal for MYS, but equally important is the passion that I bring to them in bringing community and relationships to students. I want everyone to feel a sense of belonging, a purpose and willingness to take risks musically,” DeMorett says. “Kids have this idea that if they play second violin, they’re not as good, but the truth is that we need strength in all sections. Regardless of where they’re sat, they’re equally important, and we’re all a team.”
Another unique quality that DeMorett brings to her role is her experiences as a string and a wind player—she’s able to provide more specific feedback to both types of instrument players. “A lot of conductors tend to specialize, and I have the experience doing and teaching both, and I think that’s really going to be a positive experience for me and the orchestra,” she says.
Mark Mandarano, artistic director for MYS, is excited about how DeMorett will impact the organization. “In searching for a new director for the philharmonic orchestra, we wanted to choose a leader with a passion for orchestral music who would act as a role model for our students for years to come—and we found that in spades with Kelly DeMorett,” he says. “I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome her to our team.”
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