Briana Blair Kelly, M.F.A.

https://www.brianablairkelly.com
https://www.roceltic.com

Briana Blair Kelly is a multidisciplinary artist and dance educator in Fredonia, NY. She holds an MFA in Choreography and Performance from SUNY Brockport (2017) and a BFA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Fredonia (2012). Kelly is a Lecturer in Dance at SUNY Fredonia and teaches Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre Dance, Contemporary, Irish, Ballet, Choreography, Forces & Figures in American Jazz Dance, and Voice & Movement for the Stage. She has presented choreographic works at the Bill Evan’s Somatic Dance Conference, Dance at MuCCC, Nazareth University’s Movement & Dance Weekend Artist Showcase, and multiple Celtic Festivals throughout Central/Western New York. Kelly has presented shows in the Rochester Fringe Festival, one of the United States’ largest Fringe festivals, since 2018. She is the Founder/Artistic Director of ROCeltic, a Rochester-based dance company, as well as a freelance photographer (BriBlairKell Photography) and musical theatre choreographer.  

Recent choreographic credits: When the Heart Finds Its Rhythm Again (Merrins Fall Chamber Concert 2025), “D.O.A.” – The Lightning Thief (2025), The Weight We Carry, The Hands We Hold, Whispers of Another Life, and Four Elements, One Flow (ROCeltic: The Next Generation 2025), Chessboard Waltz – Alicia’s Lens (Fredonia Young Company 2025), Rhythm in Motion (Fredonia Dance Ensemble 2025), Legally Blonde (SUNY Fredonia 2024), Cabaret (Main Street Studios 2024) Beautiful Imperfections & Resilience (Fredonia Dance Ensemble 2024), Amalgamation & When Expectations Fade, I Find Me (Niagara University Dance Theatre 2023). 

Research Interests

Her personal and research interests lie in what she calls “Irish-Fusion”. It all began in 2017 with her master's thesis Reverence to Éire: Expanding the Tradition. It was through that creative process that she discovered her choreographic interests and artistic voice. This ignited a tenacious curiosity, which led to the creation of her dance company, ROCeltic, and continues to fuel ROCeltic’s continuous endeavor to unearth the choreographic potential of Irish dance. 

ROCeltic is a Rochester-based dance company that celebrates Celtic heritage – past, present, and future – through dance and music. They are progressive, with a traditional foundation, and continually strive to unearth the choreographic potential of Irish dance by bridging cultural divides. ROCeltic is proud to offer a unique perspective on Irish dance that continues to transform through the company’s ongoing collaborations with various musicians, composers, choreographers, dancers, and dance styles. 

ROCeltic Artistic Directing Credits: ROCeltic: The Next Generation (Rochester Fringe Festival 2025), ROCeltic: Sláinte, Raise A Glass to 5 Years! (Rochester Fringe Festival 2024), ROCeltic: Hybridity, Identity, and Roving Irishness (Rochester Fringe Festival 2023), ROCeltic: The Stories We Carry in Our Bones (Rochester Fringe Festival 2022).

Well-known ROCeltic choreographic works: Rhythmic Conversation, The Tides Between Us, Phil Billy Trio

Fun Fact: ROCeltic was the opening act for Enter the Haggis, an international Celtic Rock band, when they came to Rochester. 

Reviews and Publicity: 

CITY Magazine, “A rhythmic revolution…” by Sydney Burrows. https://issuu.com/roccitynews/docs/city_march_2025 

CITY Magazine, Dance Review: Dances at MuCCC by Sydney Burrows: “Rhythmic Conversation by Briana Blair Kelly and Fiona Kier was especially buoyant, showcasing tap and Irish dance. The “conversation” ping-ponged between the two dancers, with each responding to the rhythms of the other. Kelly and Kier were exceptional, and the audience’s enthusiastic cheering rightfully reflected the impact of the duo’s impressive skillset." https://www.roccitymag.com/arts-entertainment/dance-review-dances-at-muccc-17796533