Part Time Lecturer
Director, Bluegrass Ensembles; Banjo, Bluegrass Guitar, Bluegrass Mandolin
Music
With a lifetime dedicated to bluegrass and acoustic music, KEITH REED brings a wealth of experience as both a performer and educator. He began playing guitar at the age of five and picked up the banjo at ten, setting the foundation for a distinguished career in bluegrass.
Keith is a graduate of South Plains College, home to the nation's first bluegrass music program, and holds a degree in classical guitar from Boise State University. He furthered his studies with a master’s certificate in Appalachian Studies from East Tennessee State University, deepening his expertise in traditional American music.
As the banjo player and vocalist for Rounder Recording Artists Open Road Bluegrass Band, Keith contributed to two critically acclaimed albums and toured extensively across North America, Ireland, and Scotland. His performances have taken him to some of the most prestigious venues, including the Ryman Auditorium and the Kennedy Center.
For over 20 years, Keith has been a dedicated instructor at Colorado College, where he has shaped the next generation of musicians. Under his leadership, the Colorado College bluegrass program has grown into a touring studio, performing at festivals across Colorado and in local venues. He has also hosted numerous national artists, including Béla Fleck and Sierra Hull, for workshops and concerts. His collaborations extend beyond traditional bluegrass, having performed with the Portland and Walla Walla symphonies in the groundbreaking composition Bluegrass to Beethoven alongside Sierra Hull.
Keith continues to perform and tour, sharing his passion for bluegrass with audiences far and wide.
