The Gilmore Announces Kelly Whelan Waltrip as New Managing Director

The Gilmore announces today that Kelly W. Waltrip will join the team as the inaugural Managing Director, effective January 1, 2026. Waltrip brings extensive experience in non-profit management and arts administration and will lead the organization into its next exciting chapter of growth. She will work closely with Dr. Pierre van der Westhuizen, The Gilmore’s Executive and Artistic Director, as this new role of Managing Director will be key to supporting the strategic direction, operational strength, and long-term vision of The Gilmore.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kelly W. Waltrip to The Gilmore family. She brings a dynamic combination of leadership, creativity and strategic insight that will expand our impact. Her passion for music and connecting people with transformative musical experiences will be a huge asset to our team.”
— PIERRE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, The Gilmore Executive and Artistic Director

“I am honored to join The Gilmore at such an exciting time. As The Gilmore prepares to present its annual (previously biennial) Gilmore Piano Festival, I look forward to working with the team and community to build new audiences and strengthen relationships with our current ones.”
— KELLY W. WALTRIP, The Inaugural Gilmore Managing Director

Waltrip’s career has always been rooted in building bridges between communities and the arts. Since 2014, she has served as Executive Director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO), guiding the organization to new levels of growth and national recognition through unique collaborations, commissioning and recording initiatives, and Pathways initiatives. She also served as Managing Director of the Alliance with the Colorado Symphony, General Manager of the Lexington Philharmonic, and positions with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Opus 21, the Music Center of South Central Michigan, and the Aspen Music Festival. Waltrip is an active leader in the field, serving as Secretary of the Youth Orchestra Division Board of the League of American Orchestras and as Co-Chair of the Colorado Symphony’s Education Committee. She studied music as a pianist at Western Michigan University and later pursued professional certificates and study in Arts Management (University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Kentucky) and Strategic Execution for Public Leadership (Harvard Business Online).