Kelly Watkins (she/they) is a versatile musician and arts leader with a career spanning performance, education, conducting, and administration. A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard Band, Kelly performed across the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. Since 2017, Kelly has served on the faculty at Eastern Connecticut State University, directing the Eastern Concert Band and teaching conducting. She holds degrees from Illinois State University and Northwestern State University of Louisiana and is currently pursuing a DMA in Conducting at the University of Connecticut.