KALAMAZOO, MI — The Gilmore announced this past week that Kelly W. Waltrip will join the Kalamazoo-based piano and arts organization as its inaugural managing director.

Waltrip will assume the role on Jan. 1, 2026, the organization announced.

A 2003 graduate of Western Michigan University’s music program — where she studied piano — Waltrip returns to the organization where she launched her career.

The former Bronco spent a year as an operations assistant for The Gilmore before going on to build an extensive resumé working in nonprofit management and arts administration.

Waltrip has spent the last 11 years as the executive director for the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. Since 2018, she has also served as the managing director of the alliance between the Colorado Symphony and Denver Y

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