Kelly Dehnert was born in Lander, Wyoming in 1961 and began studying piano at the age of 7.  In fourth grade he began studying trumpet.  During his high school years, Mr. Dehnert received several awards including being chosen as a finalist in the Casper Symphony Concerto Contest.

Following graduation from Lander Valley High School, Kelly attended California State University in Northridge where he studied with George Wirth, a Los Angeles studio musician.  In addition he pursued his jazz studies at the Los Angeles Jazz Workshop with big band leader, Matt Catingub.

Mr. Dehnert finished his undergraduate music degree in Performance with a full music scholarship at the University of Arizona in Tucson.  There he studied trumpet with Richard Peters, the principal trumpeter of the Tucson Symphony, and conducting with James Keene, one of the America's leading band directors.  In addition he performed as an extra trumpet with the Tucson Symphony and in the Arizona Brass Quintet.

Upon graduation from the University of Arizona, Dehnert pursued his graduate degree in Performance at the Yale University School of Music.  At Yale, he studied trumpet with Robert Nagel, world-renowned soloist and chamber artist, and conducting with Otto Werner-Mueller, currently the orchestra conductor at the Julliard School of Music in New York City. 

Mr. Dehnert has also studied shortly with Jaap Schroeder (a Baroque and Classical performance specialist), Charles Geyer (trumpet instructor at Northwestern University), and Edmond Cord (former principal trumpeter with the Utah Symphony).  In addition he has attended master classes with Phil Smith (principal trumpeter with the New York Philharmonic) and Maurice Andre (world-renowned trumpet soloist).

Kelly Dehnert has held instructor positions at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts summer program in California and Camp Encore/Coda in Maine.   He was founder and director of the Pikes Peak Trumpet Seminars, which featured guest instructors Robert Nagel and David Zuercher for week-long clinics.

From 1986 to 1992 Kelly Dehnert was Instructor of Instrumental Music at Evangelical Christian Academy in Colorado Springs.  While in this position, he developed the band program from fourth grade through twelfth.  He also had a private lesson studio for the Widefield School District and Graner School Music Company.   In addition he was an adjudicator for the Pikes Peak District Solo and Ensemble Contest for several years.

Mr. Dehnert has performed professionally with the Colorado Springs Symphony, Colorado Springs Symphony Brass Quintet, The Tucson Symphony, Opryland's Colorado Christmas, and for several musicals and operas including "West Side Story", "Annie" and the "Magic Flute".  He has conducted numerous musicals including "My Fair Lady", "Pirates of Penzance", "Fiddler on the Roof", and "Damn Yankees."

Since returning to Wyoming, Kelly has performed with Coda d' West Dixieland Band, The Wyoming Symphony, Swazee West Big Band, Wyoming Intercollegiate Chorale Arts Festival, Wyoming All-State Faculty Big Band, Wyoming All-State Trumpet Ensemble, Central Wyoming Brass, and Western Swing.

Kelly, his wife, Connie, and four children, Britney, Joel, Shea, and Janelle were very excited to return to Wyoming in 1992.   Kelly is currently Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music at Central Wyoming College in Riverton.   In his current position, Mr. Dehnert conducts the College Band, Jazz Combos, Time’s A Wastin’ Big Band, Central Wyoming Brass and the Pit Orchestra.