Renee Keller

Principal Timpani & Percussion

The Susan C. Johnson Chair

Renee Keller has held the position of Principal Timpani and Percussion with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra since 2014. An accomplished orchestral percussionist, she has previously held the principal percussion position with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and percussion positions with the Lima and Fort Wayne Philharmonics, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the Lakes Area Music Festival in Minnesota. As a freelance musician, she has appeared with orchestras across the country, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, and Toledo Symphony.

An active soloist and chamber musician, Renee has been featured with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and has performed at numerous Percussive Arts Society events. Her chamber music appearances include the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Music by Women Festival, National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, and the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Conference.

In addition to her performing career, Renee spent more than a decade teaching in higher education, serving on the faculties of The Ohio State University at Lima, Ohio Wesleyan University, Ohio Northern University, and Northwestern University. She also maintained a private percussion studio for more than twenty years. Her contributions to the field extend to writing and publishing, with articles appearing in Percussive Notes and vibraphone arrangements published by Pocket Publications, LLC.

From 2019 to 2023, Renee served as Marketing and Education Director for the Lima Symphony Orchestra, where she developed original educational programs and collaborated with local school districts to expand access to music education throughout the region.

Today, Renee works in research administration at The Ohio State University, supporting research in health sciences through the management of sponsored programs and scientific research grants. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan (B.M.), Temple University (M.M.), and Northwestern University (D.M.). Renee lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, two children, and two cats, and enjoys exploring nature, wading through creeks, and searching for snakes under rocks.

BACK