Violinist and Public Speaker
| Kelly Hall-Tompkins Received Honorary Doctorate and Delivers Commencement Address at Adelphi University 2022 |
 |
 |
 |
| Kelly Hall-Tompkins Received Honorary Doctorate and Delivers Commencement Address at The Manhattan School of Music |
| Chamber Music America presents Kelly in 60 minute talk on "Producing Music Videos" |
| Producing Music Videos with Kelly Hall-Tompkins from CMA Online on Vimeo. |
Kelly Hall-Tompkins
Violinist and Public Speaker
Acclaimed by the New York Times as “the versatile violinist who makes the music come alive” and for her “tonal mastery” (BBC Music Magazine) and “searing intensity” (American Record Guide), violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins is one of New York City’s most in demand violin soloists and chamber musicians. Winner of a Naumburg International Violin Competition Honorarium Prize as well as a Concert Artists Guild Career Grant, Ms. Hall-Tompkins has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Dallas Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Tulsa Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of New York, and Philharmonic of Uruguay, in addition to numerous concerts and recitals in cities including New York, Washington, Cleveland, Toronto, Chicago, Baltimore, and Greenville, South Carolina, and at festivals in France, Germany and Italy. Her “Imagination” project recently topped over 1 million hits on You Tube and was featured by STRINGS Magazine as “groundbreaking.”
Currently the “Fiddler,” violin soloist, for the Broadway production of the beloved show “Fiddler on the Roof,” The New York Times hailed Ms. Hall-Tompkins in a feature article as holding the title role, together with dancer Jesse Kovarsky. Featured as soloist in almost 200 Broadway performances to date, plus a new cast album alongside a bonus track by Itzhak Perlman, Ms. Hall-Tompkins has been the featured subject on NBC’s Today Show with Harry Smith, NBC 4 New York with Janice Huff, NBC 4 at 5, WWFM radio and Strings Magazine among numerous other major press outlets for her role in Fiddler.
Kelly Hall-Tompkins is also known and frequently tapped as a dynamic, engaging public speaker. Recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music in 2016, recent engagements include Commencement Speaker at the Manhattan School, featured speaker on the televised SphinxCon conference in Detroit, and a one hour internationally live-streamed segment for Chamber Music American on “Producing Music Videos.” The NJ Jersey Star-Ledger writes, “After a spoken intro by violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins -- who spiced her usual broadcast-worthy prelude with illustrative dashes of French -- Poulenc's "Les biches" Suite came as a fine curtain-raiser.” Drawing on her vast international performing career as soloist, chamber musician and with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the New Jersey Symphony, and her passion for talking about music, combined with non-performance positions such as Founder and President of the series Music Kitchen - Food for the Soul , which brings concerts to the homeless, and President of the Board for Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ms. Hall-Tompkins has been invited to serve as an expert panelist for numerous institutions, including the Massachusetts Cultural Council, League of American Orchestras, Chamber Music America, European American Music Alliance, New Jersey Symphony CEO Search and orchestra negotiations committees as well as chairperson of the orchestra’s Artistic Advisory Committee.
Media Appearances also include an additional feature article in the New York Times for Music Kitchen, NPR “Tell Me More”, MSNBC Melissa Harris-Perry Show (live ), CNBC’s Power Lunch (live), interviews for NBC 4 NY (live), ABCNews.com, CBSNews.com and the Hallmark Channel , plus live radio on WNYC “Soundcheck”, WXXI Rochester, Toronto radio Classical 96.3FM, Columbia University Radio WKCR plus numerous interviews in French for Paris media outlets covering an appearance at the Sacred Music Festival. Additional media work includes voiceovers on WQXR and Bloomberg radio for the Chamber Orchestra of New York and the New Jersey Symphony respectively.
As a result her breadth of unique life experience, Ms. Hall-Tompkins has been called upon to speak in Paris (in French) at the American Embassy on a panel with the Vice-President of the French Senate, to give the keynote address in place of the Rabbi’s sermon at the Hebrew Tabernacle in New York City on the occasion of Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance), to announce the encores in Japanese to Orpheus Chamber Orchestra audiences in Tokyo, speak on the program before audiences of up to 3,000 at concerts for the New Jersey Symphony, Ritz Chamber Players, Garth Newel Music Center among others. Ms. Hall-Tompkins assets as a speaker are enhanced by her rich performance experience, 7 spoken languages, from functional to fluent (French), passion for learning and communicating information, insightful observations and sense of humor.
Press Quote and Testimonials for Concert Speeches and Media Appearances
NJ Symphony French Festival:
“After a spoken intro by violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins -- who spiced her usual broadcast-worthy prelude with illustrative dashes of French -- Poulenc's "Les biches" Suite came as a fine curtain-raiser.”
-Bradley Bambarger, NJ Star Ledger
“We are writing to let you know how delighted we were, on several occasions, with the pre-concert welcome and comments by violinist, Kelly Hall-Tompkins. With grace and intelligence, she informs and amuses her audience, even greatly impressing us with her facility with French! Please extend our complements and thanks to Ms. Hall-Tompkins; we hope to have the pleasure of seeing her in this role again.”
-Ann and Charles B., audience members
NJ Symphony Mahler Symphony #2 Concert:
“Linda and I went to the Mahler 2nd yesterday afternoon. You gave a wonderful speech. You are quite a motivational speaker.” -Stan S., audience member
“Dear Kelly, you were simply great! Relaxed, informative, amusing, and gorgeous. If you want to have a double career, why not go into TV. You would be a terrific host on a show of some sort! The concert was terrific. “ -Victor P. Former Board Chair, NJ Symphony
Ritz Chamber Players
“You are an amazing violinist who engages the audiences when you perform and speak. Nancy and I have enjoyed the Ritz Chamber Players for ten years now in Jacksonville. We greatly appreciate the key role you have played. From your remarks at various performances, I know you are a student of history (as am I)… Thank you for your contributions to the cultural life of Jacksonville and to chamber music audiences in general.” - Howard Dale, Attorney and Ritz Chamber Players General Counsel
MSNBC Melissa Harris-Perry Show
“Hi Kelly, I just watched a piece on MSNBC's MHP show and I think you're an excellent role model and inspiration to all African Americans!! Continue your excellent mission! I would appreciate you friending me here on FB so I can keep up with your amazing career!
Thanks.” -Wayne J, MSNBC Viewer
“You were wonderful today... Articulate and compelling. Brava!!”
-Joel Revzen, conductor and MSNBC viewer
“You were truly magnificent in this interview. .. you were able to express the subject matter in the most discerning and insightful manner. You are obviously someone who is comfortable in front of the cameras and in full understanding of the coolness of the medium. This is not a given. Jordan and I were most impressed. Great job!!! “ – Mark Alpert, CAMI Artist Manager and Vice President
Music Kitchen – Food for the Soul Charity violin and piano concert in Paris, France
I had a vague idea about classical music but today you have given me the chance to understand that music is very deep and melancholic…this music truly has stories. Bon courage and long career to you.
–Sandra, Homeless Shelter client, audience member
You have recharged my heart in the space of 15 minutes- thank you for recharging my heart, thank you for this journey and this generosity. It warmed my heart. Despite my problems, I took much pleasure in listening. –Magali, Homeless shelter client, audience member