Photo by Wesley Law
Recently relocated from St. Louis, MO, pianist Kelly Estes Karamanov lives in Chicago and enjoys an active collaborative piano career. Ms. Karamanov performs as an orchestral pianist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed in the St. Louis Symphony, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the Alabama Symphony, The Florida Orchestra, and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. She was Principal Piano in the West Michigan Symphony from 2011-2018 and performed as a soloist in the Beethoven Triple Concerto in 2017. In November 2019, she performed in Carnegie Hall in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Riccardo Muti. Hedy Weiss of WTTV Chicago described Karamanov as a "superb guest pianist" in a February 2019 review of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In January-February 2023, she performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on their North American Tour with Maestro Riccardo Muti.
A dedicated teacher, Ms. Karamanov maintains a private studio for a variety of students. She holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in Piano Performance from Ball State University where she studied with Dr. Raymond Kilburn. She also spent two summers studying with Norman Krieger at the Brevard Music Center. While at Ball State, Ms. Karamanov created a group piano program for adult students in the community, and continues to enjoy teaching students of all ages. Away from the piano, Kelly enjoys hiking, swimming, and traveling.
A dedicated teacher, Ms. Karamanov maintains a private studio for a variety of students. She holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in Piano Performance from Ball State University where she studied with Dr. Raymond Kilburn. She also spent two summers studying with Norman Krieger at the Brevard Music Center. While at Ball State, Ms. Karamanov created a group piano program for adult students in the community, and continues to enjoy teaching students of all ages. Away from the piano, Kelly enjoys hiking, swimming, and traveling.
