Mark Cellini & Katrina Kelly, Music Directors


Mr. Mark Cellini

Mark Cellini teaches general music and is the Director of  Orchestras at Great Valley Middle School, where he has been on staff since 2013.  Prior to his position at GVMS, he taught orchestra, band, and general music to grades K-8 in Northeast Philadelphia.  In 2016, Mr. Cellini was pleased to be named co-director for the Chester County Youth Orchestra.  Under his baton, CCYO has  performed such works as Danzón No. 2, Les préludes, Barber’s First Essay for Orchestra, and Peter & the Wolf narrated by former State Senator Andy Dinniman.

A native of West Chester, PA, Mr. Cellini earned his Bachelor’s degree in music education from West Chester University, where he studied cello with Dr. Ovidiu Marinescu, bassoon with Mr. Jon Gaarder, and voice with Dr. David Sprenkle.   In 2016, he completed his Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at Messiah College, where he studied with Dr. Timothy Dixon.  Mr. Cellini is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in music education from Eastern Illinois University.

Mr. Cellini is an active cellist throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, performing with the Chesco Pops Orchestra, Immaculata Symphony, the Lower Merion Symphony.  Through his performance experiences, Mr. Cellini has had the opportunity to perform at the Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House.  He also serves as an Assistant Conductor for the Immaculata University Symphony Orchestra.

A passionate advocate for Music Education, Mr. Cellini is an active member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education, and the American String Teachers Association.  He has presented at PMEA conferences across Southern Pennsylvania, participated in the PMEA Leadership Academy, has worked as a PMEA Mentor to novice music educators, and participates annually in PMEA Festivals with his students.


Mrs. Katrina Kelly

Katrina Kelly grew up in New Hampshire where influenced by her musical family, she chose to play the viola in 4th grade. In high school she was selected for all-state orchestra all four years, and she also began running her high school orchestra rehearsals.  Mrs. Kelly earned her degrees in music education and music performance from Ithaca College, where she studied viola with Debra Moree. During her college years she was fortunate enough to work with various string professionals including Robert Gillespie and Patricia McCarty.  She was principal violist for both Ithaca’s Chamber Orchestra and Ithaca’s Symphony Orchestra during her junior and senior years.

After college, Mrs. Kelly began her teaching career in the Hollidaysburg Area School District as a junior high orchestra director.  Since 2000, Mrs. Kelly has worked in the West Chester Area School District as a middle and high school orchestra director.  She also co-conducts the WCASD Select Strings & Senior Strings Orchestras.  Select Strings has earned many honors during her tenure including being selected to perform at the state music conference four times. In April 2020, Mrs. Kelly’s Henderson High School String Orchestra will perform at the PMEA State Conference.  Mrs. Kelly is also active in the PMEA Organization, hosting string fests and presenting at in-service sessions. In 2019, Mrs. Kelly earned her master’s degree in orchestral conducting from Messiah College .

Mrs. Kelly performs often with various ensembles including the Chesco Pops, the Westminister Presbyterian Choir and ensembles at West Chester University. She was recently honored by being named a semi-finalist in the 2017 Music & Arts Educator of the Year Award.  Mrs. Kelly lives in West Chester and enjoys spending time with her husband Martin, and three children, Katie, Bryce and Addie all of whom are involved in music.

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