Irish conductor Elaine Kelly on her Grammy nomination and challenging tradition in classical music
The first Irish conductor to be nominated for a prestigious Grammy Award, Elaine Kelly is amongst this year’s hopefuls vying for the win. Due to attend the ceremony in LA early next month, it marks a monumental moment in Elaine’s career and serves as an inspiring story of resilience and leadership for women in a field that has long been dominated by men.
Speaking of her nomination, Elaine said, “Being recognised by the Grammys, especially as an Irish artist in a field where there are only a handful of classical Grammy-nominated artists, is fantastic. It’s such a universal acknowledgement of music, and to be a part of that is a dream come true. I’ve watched the Grammys with my family in Cork for as long as I can remember. Now, to be in that room, representing the rich talent that Ireland has to offer is beyond exciting.” From her first foray into operatic conducting to the growing recognition of women in classical music, Elaine shares more about her career journey to date with us below.
I always knew I wanted to be part of the music world, but I never imagined I’d end up conducting.
I started playing the violin at age three, but it wasn’t until college that I considered conducting seriously. A pivotal moment came during a summer in the U.S. when I saw my first female orchestral conductor—it made me realise this was something I could pursue and truly wanted to do. From then on, I was hooked, drawn to the collaborative and dynamic nature of conducting.
I studied music in college.
I did the BMus degree at the Cork School of Music, where I later pursued a Master’s in Conducting.
My most formative work experience was my time at the Irish National Opera Studio, which was a turning point for me.
Coming from a background in choral and symphonic conducting, I decided to give opera a year to see where it might lead and it completely changed everything. I got to work on a huge range of repertoire as an assistant conductor and even had the chance to conduct contemporary operas, which I’m especially passionate about. Every production pushed me to grow in new ways, both artistically and technically. That year opened the door to the incredible world of opera, and it led to me becoming Resident Conductor. Five years later, I’m still obsessed!
You have to be able to adjust while staying true to your vision. Communication is key, not just in what you say but in how you listen and connect.
My first real job was a classic rite of passage—weekends in a supermarket while I was still in school.
My first music job came straight out of college when a dear friend started her own music academy. I had the privilege of being there from the start, teaching violin and conducting the youth orchestra. Around the same time, I began conducting a number of local community choirs. Those early opportunities were absolutely key in helping me grow my skills and build confidence as both a musician and a leader.
The most invaluable thing I learned early on in my career was the importance of being adaptable and a good communicator.
Every group—whether it’s a church choir, a community ensemble, or children picking up a violin for the first time—is different. You have to be able to adjust while staying true to your vision. Communication is key, not just in what you say but in how you listen and connect. It’s about building trust and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels inspired to give their best—a lesson that’s shaped everything I do.
A common misconception about what I do is that it’s all glitz and glamour!
While there are definitely plenty of magical moments, there’s also a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Long hours spent studying scores, planning rehearsals, and managing the logistics of a production can be demanding. Travel is a big part of the job too, and while that can be exciting, it also means most of the time you’re away from home and loved ones. But even with the challenges, I wouldn’t change a thing—it’s all part of the journey, the rewards are absolutely worth it and I feel so lucky every day!
My main responsibility in work is to bring people and music together.
As a conductor, my job is to guide musicians to create something bigger than the sum of its parts. It’s about interpreting the music, navigating its emotional and technical sides, and making sure we’re all working together as one. But it’s also about inspiring confidence, building connections, and making every performance feel alive—something that really resonates with both the musicians and the audience.
I’m lucky to have plenty of career mentors and people I can turn to for advice.
There are conductors, both past and present, who I really admire. I’ll listen to their recordings, watch them conduct online and if they’re still performing, I’ll try to see them live—it’s incredibly inspiring. I also have a network of talented and creative friends. They’re my sounding boards, the people I turn to for advice and perspective. Having peers who are navigating the same world and willing to share their experiences is invaluable.
The biggest risk I have taken in my career so far is recently going self-employed.
It’s a big leap into the unknown, and honestly, it’s both exciting and a little daunting. There’s no safety net—you’re responsible for everything, from finding opportunities to making it all come together. But it’s also incredibly empowering. It’s pushed me to trust myself, take control of my career, and pursue the projects I’m passionate about.
On a typical day, I wake at around 8am.
The first thing I do every morning is start with a cup of Barry’s tea. You can take the girl out of Cork, but…
My morning routine is nothing too exciting!
Always a mix of getting ready and gearing up for the day ahead. It usually starts with a shower, a light breakfast and if it’s a rehearsal day, that’s the focus, so I’m already running through the music in my head to mentally prepare.
I can’t go to work without plenty of snacks!
I’m constantly grazing. And, of course, my bag of scores and coloured pencils. How I travel to work depends on where I am. In Ireland, it’s usually by car or bus, but abroad, I prefer walking so I can explore the city. Work trips don’t leave much time for sightseeing, so if I can combine exercise with getting to rehearsal, I’m happy!
I like to dive straight into the music!
No two workdays are the same—some are packed with rehearsals, working with musicians to fine-tune every detail of a performance. Other times, I’m deep in score study, unravelling the layers of a piece. I generally start my working day around 10am. Mornings often start with emails or admin (the less glamorous side), but the real magic happens in rehearsal. By the end of the day, I’m usually buzzing with ideas for what’s next. It’s intense, it’s exciting, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
