Franklin Resident Writes Book for Young Creatives

By Judith Dorato O’Gara

Franklin Town News/ Franklin Local Town Pages

(Reprinted with Permission)

This month, Berklee College of Music professor Kaye Kelly, of Franklin, announces her first book, The Modern Creative. The work is aimed to serve as an interactive guide for young creatives from various arts concentrations, to offer “tools, inspiration, and structure needed to build a sustainable, purpose-driven artistic career.”

“I wrote the book I wish someone would have given me when I finished my degree at the University of Miami in studio music and vocal performance. I really got no help in terms of thinking forward to my next steps, career plans, how I was going to support myself,” says Kelly, “It’s a guidebook, but it’s also a workbook. At end of each chapter, there are exercise a reader can do.”

The guide blends honest conversations about the realities of artistic life with practical strategies for success—financially, creatively, and personally. Kelly drew upon her experience as a professor with 25 years of experience teaching college students not only music and liberal arts, but also professional development. Kelly also spoke with working professionals in various arts careers.

“I was able to get some really great interviews from all types of artists,” says Kelly. Those included James Taylor’s background singer, the bass player for the band Chicago, a successful L.A. actress, a Broadway dancer, an award-winning author, and the Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council.

“I interviewed someone who was a musician, transitioned to a baker and is now a best-selling author. It’s really interesting following these creative paths,” says Kelly. “I think it’s important we  teach our young creatives that the career path is not linear. It is ok to move around in throughout your career. It’s not something to be looked down upon, and it’s important to normalize that.”

Kelly says sending young arts majors out into the world with expectations they will get a job right out of school can lead to “mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and feelings of failure. I’m trying to normalize the zig-zag path we take in the creative space,” she says, “There are many ways to be an artist.”

Although some can support themselves fully with their art, says Kelly, “There are others that hold a full-time job and do their art (on the side). But American society tends to snub their nose at that, which, of course, is really bad for our mental health.

Taking financial pressure off and having a full-time job is actuallyexcellent for artists.” In addition to her work as a veteran faculty member at Berklee, Kaye is an active singer, songwriter, arranger, and bandleader in New England. An expert grant writer and advocate for independent artists, Kaye has won multiple state awards for her work in the arts, including being named a 2022 Commonwealth Heroine for the State of Massachusetts.

The avid writer also dabbles in creating multimedia art focused on social issues. Kelly, who is married with four children, has lived in Franklin for 21 years. She and her husband, also a musician and teacher, play together in a duo act called StickManBlue, which will be performing in November as part of the United Methodist Church’s community concert series.

The Modern Creative will be available starting this month on www.ingramspark.com and on Amazon.