Kellen Mikesell is a 10 year old violinist who has attended the Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF) for the past five summers.   When Kellen turned six years old, our family was looking for a music camp that would challenge him musically. We found PIMF to be warm and welcoming to both Kellen and our family.  During this first year and throughout our involvement with PIMF, Kellen has had the awesome opportunity to meet other children from around the world who are musically talented and who are also his age.  Kellen has had the opportunity to compete in the competitions offered at PIMF, perform on the solo hour concerts, sing in choir, experience multiple conductors and play fabulous orchestral music.  During the past two years, Kellen has been selected for the Gold orchestra and has performed in chamber music.

Kellen says, “Because of attending PIMF my playing ability has increased greatly.  My teacher, Kim Fisher is terrific and she has taught me many important things through the years. The PIMF staff are very nice and they are willing to help you with anything you need.  I love the long musical days and I especially enjoy sight-reading symphonies at 11:00 PM!  PIMF gives you the opportunity to meet people from all over the word that will be friends with you forever.”

PIMF has afforded Kellen the opportunity to be surrounded by professional musicians and a culture of musical excellence.

About Kellen:

Kellen is currently a member of the Peabody Young Artist’s Orchestra at the Peabody School of Music, Baltimore, MD.  Kellen is a student of John Eaken of the Eaken Piano Trio and Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violinist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Co-Founder of the Philadelphia International Music Festival.  He began his violin studies with Alice Bish and is grateful that she believed in his musical potential from a young age.

Kellen studies piano with Eileen Somes of Mechanicsburg, PA, and also enjoys playing trumpet in his school band program at West Shore Christian Academy.  Kellen sings with the Gettysburg Children’s Choir and was most recently selected to perform in the ACDA Eastern Elementary Honor Choir in February of 2016 in Boston, MA.

Kellen’s Gold Solo Hour Performance at PIMF 2015: