Kayden Kelly

Kayden Kelly is the first place Senior Division winner of the inaugural Nina Simon Competition and a 2023 Junior Cliburn Festival Artist. He began playing piano at age five and made his recital debut at age 11 at the National Theater of Costa Rica for the Costa Rican Vice President. Kayden has performed three times at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, and played with orchestras at the Cincinnati Music Hall, Vanemuise Concert Hall in Estonia, and the Berlin Admiralspalast in Germany. Kayden has performed in over 21 public performances in the US, Europe, and Latin America including solo piano programs recently for the New Mexico Museum Foundation Donors Circle and at the Salon de Virtuosi in New York.

Kayden has been part of the Mozartium International “Young Excellence” Academy, Curtis Summerfest, PianoTexas, Amalfi Coast Festival, Algarve Music Series, Perugia MusicFest, and Aspen Music Festival.

On local, national and international radio stations, Kayden has been interviewed and performed including NPR From the Top and Young Artists Showcase on New York's classical radio station WQXR.

Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kayden is currently studying under Fabio Bidini at the Pre-college Academy of The Colburn School in Los Angeles.