Kennedy Graves discovered the violin at the age of three in Cincinnati, Ohio, initially studying with University of North Carolina School of the Arts alumna, Diana LeGrand. During her elementary years she participated in numerous Suzuki violin summer programs in Virginia, working with several different violin instructors. When she was accepted into Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts in the eighth grade, she resumed private lessons with Ms. LeGrand. She continued her studies at UNCSA with Kevin Lawrence, receiving her undergraduate degree in violin performance, and is currently a graduate student at UNCSA.
Kennedy has performed in master classes given by Midori Gotō, Hillary Hahn and Grace Park. She participated in the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual competition, earning the highest rating each year for five consecutive years, won the prestigious Corbett Mayerson Competition, and served as the concertmaster of the state ranked SCPA Chamber Orchestra. Furthermore, she has toured the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC, region as a member of the Pan American Chamber Orchestra, performing with Ms. LeGrand. Kennedy has greatly enjoyed playing chamber music as a member of various string quartets. She is extremely grateful to all of the violin teachers who have helped shape her musical growth.