Mr. Edwards is a native of North Carolina and has served as Executive Director of numerous symphony orchestras over a thirty-year period in the following cities: Poughkeepsie, NY, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, Buffalo, NY, Dobbs Ferry, NY, and for the last decade in Charleston, SC. During these thirty years, he has gained valuable experience, which he now enjoys sharing with Orchestra Kentucky. Mr. Edwards is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, OH., from which he holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. After graduation in 1969, Mr. Edwards served his country for three years as Principal Trumpet of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, NY. Mr. Edwards has served on the American Symphony Orchestra League’s national board of directors, numerous grant panels for the Ohio Arts Council, and the SC Arts Commission. Mr. Edwards maintains residences in both Bowling Green and in Charleston, SC. He has been married for 34 years to Tacy Gwyned Edwards, a flutist with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. He is the proud father of twenty-three-year-old twin daughters, Jocelyn Ravel and Lindsay Erin. “I am proud to have the opportunity to serve as the first Executive Director of Orchestra Kentucky. The ability to work closely with Music Director, Jeffrey Reed, and the extraordinarily committed Board of Directors is indeed an honor. The future is bright for Orchestra Kentucky. Our ‘meme’ says it all:
Changing Lives. . .One Note at a Time.
Email: darrellgedwards@bellsouth.net

Dawn Wesley is no stranger to the arts in our community. She spent five years as Managing Director for the Capitol Arts Alliance, often wearing several hats at one time. The arts are an integral part of Dawn’s life and she is excited to be able to work in such a capacity once again. She often tells the story of accidentally getting left behind in an art gallery at the age of nine, so her love of art began at an early age! She also plays a bit of piano and performed in church and school choirs.

Dawn came to Bowling Green from Phoenix eight years ago with her husband and three girls. Those girls are now either married (Destiny Dawn) with two young boys; majoring in English Literature at Lindsey Wilson College (Brittany Rose); or double majoring in Theatre and Film at WKU (Danae Michele). Her husband, Dr. Martin Wesley, is an Assistant Professor and Regional Academic Director for the Lindsey Wilson College, School of Professional Counseling in the western region of Kentucky. And she can’t forget to mention she is also a "Dachsy Mom". Her 5-year-old Dachshund, Wilson, is a vital part of the family!

Dawn is also currently working toward finishing her degree in Business Administration. She maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.81, but wonders if that will begin to dwindle with full time employment once again and some of her toughest classes ahead of her!

"It is truly a blessing in this economy to have found a job in the arts where I feel I can once again serve in my community. My thanks to Darrell and Jeff in choosing to bring me into their inner circle as their new Manager of Office Operations."

Email: dwesley@orchestrakentucky.com

Jennay, a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, began her musical studies at the age of six, centering on the violin and piano. Music has provided her with numerous opportunities including the participation in summer music festivals such as the IU String Academy, Interlochen, and Aspen Music Festival. She has studied with a variety of music teachers including Carol Dallinger, Vadim Mazo, and Elmira Darvarova. At Western Kentucky University, Ms. Keelin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and psychology and has continued to make Bowling Green her home. She has been a musician with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, and currently Orchestra Kentucky. Ms. Keelin has contributed to musical education in the local community as a private instructor for the past ten years.
Email: jkeelin@OrchestraKentucky.com