A columnist and editor at Opera News, Brian Kellow has also proven himself as a well-regarded biographer. Although Kellow studied piano for ten years, he bypassed music for a career in writing. Studying English at Oregon State University, he developed his skills as a reporter and editor while working on student publications. He moved to New York City in 1982 working briefly in publishing before landing a job on the staff of Manhattan’s prestigious 92nd Street YMCA, eventually overseeing their publications. After five years there Kellow joined the editorial staff of Opera News. Currently he serves as the magazine’s features editor and his popular column, “On the Beat,” appears in each month’s issue. He has written profiles of many of the leading figures in the world of opera, including James Conlon; Natalie Dessay; Eileen Farrell; Maureen Forrester; Denyce Graves; Steven Mercurio; Tobias Picker; Joan Sutherland; Bryn Terfel; Dawn Upshaw; Deborah Voigt, and Frederica von Stade.

Brian Kellow has also contibuted articles to other publications, including Opera; BBC Music Magazine, Playbill, and Newsday. His first book, Can’t Help Singing: The Life of Eileen Farrell, was published in 1999. He followed that in 2004 with The Bennetts: An Acting Family, a biography of stage actor Richard Bennett and his three actress daughters: Constance, Barbara, and Joan. His latest book, Ethel Merman: A Life, was published in November of this year.

Brian Kellow’s papers are part of the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University.