Classical guitarist Catherine O’Kelly has been praised for her full sound and rich tone. In addition to her solo performances, Catherine is a sought-after chamber musician. Her programs often emphasize contemporary music and highlight her passion for and expertise in extended techniques. She frequently performs alongside flautist Arielle Burke as part of Tedesco Duo, whose repertoire covers a wide range of eras and styles. Catherine has also enjoyed collaborating with groups such as Boston’s Cantata Singers. She earned her Masters and her Doctor of Musical Arts in Guitar Performance from The Hartt School in West Hartford, CT, where she studied with Christopher Ladd. She was awarded a position with Performance 20/20, The Hartt School’s Honors Chamber Music Program, providing her with a full scholarship for her doctoral studies. She received a BA in music and philosophy from Vassar College.

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Since 2023, Catherine has served as the Artistic Director for the Boston Classical Guitar Society. In addition, is the Director of the Society’s Frank A. Wallace Memorial Fellowship, which awards a scholarship to a New England student each year.

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Catherine maintains strong teaching studios at The Rivers School Conservatory in Weston, MA, where she serves as the Chair of the Guitar Department, at The Powers Music School in Belmont, MA, and she also teaches privately. Her students have performed in masterclasses for Leo Brouwer, Xuefei Yang, João Luiz, Laura Snowden, Gaëlle Solal, and Sharon Isbin. She is a registered Suzuki teacher with 13 years of experience. Catherine is a frequent guest lecturer and conductor, appearing with the Boston Classical Guitar Society, the URI Guitar and Mandolin Festival, and the Rhode Island Music Education Association All-State Guitar Ensembles. In 2022, Catherine founded The Rivers School Conservatory’s annual Guitar Weekend, a festival which brings in local and international guitarists for masterclasses, interdisciplinary lectures, workshops, and performances.