Kelly Hornbarger

Kelly Hornbarger, or as her YouTube followers call her, “The Nerdy Flutist,” is a huge fan of classical music, tabletop RPGs, and Live Action Role Playing (LARP). You could consider Kelly as close to a real-life bard as they come. She’s been practicing flute for more than 26 years and teaching it for more than a decade. Her parents and grandparents are all singers and musicians, with her dad and grandpa heavily involved in Barbershop, and her mother being her initial inspiration for picking up the flute. Kelly earned her Master of Music Theory from Michigan State University. She now performs with the Fort Wayne Area Community Band, the Manchester Symphony, and on her YouTube channel, racking up tens of thousands of views. Many of Kelly’s musical inspirations similarly gained attention through their viral online videos, such as The Piano Guys, Taylor Davis, and MALINDA. Kelly believes music is for everyone and can be instrumental in developing discipline, teamwork, and perseverance in young people.