Washington Ballet’s Pianist Spending Summer Here

The musicians at Round Top Festival Institute’s Summer Festival range from those just out of high school to some who are already working in the music business, such as pianist Kelly Lenahan.

A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Lenahan graduated three years ago with a master degree from the Royal College of Music in London. Before that she earned a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University in Tennessee. She works as the company pianist for the Washington Ballet in Washington, D.C. and as an accompanist for Capitol Hill Chorale.

“I also freelance as a collaborative pianist for choirs, opera singers and I do orchestra work when I can,” Lenahan said.

She learned about the Summer Festival at Round Top during college in London.

“I wasn’t able to apply because I did my masters in London,” she said. “This year I was finally able to apply and get in. It’s been on my radar for maybe five years.”

She is one of two pianists at the Festival this summer.

“The opportunities here are amazing, the facilities are amazing,” she said. “Getting to have lessons with James Dick has been wonderful.”

Dick is the founder of Round Top Festival Institute and provides piano instruction during the Summer series.

“I feel like I’ve already learned so much, especially after the pandemic year, when not much music was happening,” she said. “It’s been such a beautiful experience.”

Lenahan said the experience has helped to re-hone her collaborative skills.

“I’m learning to listen to people again and listen to my own sound,” she said. “I’m learning new repertoire, things I haven’t played before. I’m getting a new perspective on my piano playing.”

Lenahan enjoys listening to electronic music, rock and bluegrass in addition to classical music.

“My favorite classical music to play is probably impressionistic French music,” she said. “Right not my focus is female composers – either under-performed or lost works by female composers from all eras of classical music.”

Lenahan said she enjoys her multi-faceted career path.

“I love that I get to work with dancers and singers and then also solo things,” she said. “Anything that involves collaboration and music but not the same thing every day. I’m looking to continue the path I’m on but maybe increasing the scope of what I do.”

Lenahan said the summer program in Round Top is helping her to listen more to herself play.

“That’s something James Dick has really helped me work on,” she said. “I’ve changed the way I listen and then produce sound with the piano. It’s hard to explain. But that’s something I want to take back with me – to really immerse myself with my instrument in a different way. You get used to listening to yourself, but being here has given me a new lease on my piano playing. I hope to bring that to my work.”

She called the Festival Institute “one of the most special places I have ever experienced.”

“I had no idea something so grand and beautiful could be built from one person’s dream, and all the people who rally around it,” she said. “This place is really special. All the people I met have affirmed that feeling.”