With performances often described as passionate, vivacious, electrifying, and innovative, Billboard-charting international recording artist Chelsey Green brings the vibrancy of violin and viola playing and unique, rich vocals to worldwide audiences in a whole new way.
A native of Houston, Texas, Dr. Chelsey Green was born into a family of jazz and funk musicians and started her performance career as a violinist at age 5. Dr. Green went on to receive a scholarship for classical viola studies at The University of Texas at Austin where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Continuing her studies, she received a Master’s degree from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Maryland College Park. In August 2017, Dr. Green was appointed Associate Professor in the String Department at the prestigious Berklee College of Music and recently served as Acting Chair for the Spring 2021 term.
Dr. Chelsey Green and her ensemble, The Green Project, tear down stereotypes of the violin and viola by fusing traditional classical technique with popular favorites and enticing original songs in various genres– including R&B, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Alternative, Hip Hop, Gospel and more! Chelsey Green and The Green Project have released 5 studio projects independently and performed live shows, jazz festivals, masterclasses and educational workshops across America and in several countries throughout the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Japan and the Caribbean.
Classically soloing in New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall at age 16, Chelsey’s varied performance resume includes performances at the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, CBS Late Show, NPR Tiny Desk, the opening of The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Essence Music Festival, Capital Jazz SuperCruise, Port-Au-Prince International Jazz Festival, Kuwait National Opera House, Seabreeze Jazz Festival and many more!
Dr. Green has been honored to share both stage and screen with renowned, international artists including Stevie Wonder, Lizzo, Regina Carter, Wu-Tang Clan, Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef, MC Lyte, Rihannon Giddens, Kirk Franklin, Charles Lloyd and more. Featured as a soloist with the Boston Pops and Berklee World Strings Orchestras, Chelsey Green and The Green Project were also featured as an ensemble with the internationally acclaimed US Air Force Band, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Prince George’s Philharmonic.
The Green Project released their debut EP, Still Green: The EP in April 2012 to rave reviews. Their second release and first full length album, The Green Room, debuted on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album Chart at #22 and #7 on the iTunes Jazz Albums chart! The group has also released a holiday single, “Sleigh Ride” (2015) and a hot summer single, “Summertime” (2018) which features talented multi-instrumentalist, Warren Wolf.
Most recently, The Green Project has released “ReEnvisioned” (2020). This 4-track, genre-bending EP acts as both palate cleanser and preview to their new musical direction. Released in July 2020, this special project features new instrumental and vocal originals and a fresh interpretation of a classic jazz standard that features jazz trumpet phenom, Sean Jones.
Aside from her own projects, Chelsey has a multi-faceted discography including recordings in varied genres with artists such as Lyric Jones (hip hop), Crystal Waters (EDM/house), Maysa Leak (R&B/soul), Paul Carr (jazz), Ted Garber (americana), Anthony Walker (gospel jazz), Jamar Jones (smooth jazz), Tyler Sherman (jazz/classical contemporary), Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef (R&B/soul), Lori Williams (jazz), Carolyn Malachi (urban contemporary), The Sweater Set (folk traditional), Aaron Hardin (jazz) and more.
Dedicated to educating our youth, Chelsey Green and The Green Project spend time devoted to the community by providing a wide range of educational music workshops to city and county schools, after school programs, educational groups and more. Committed to spreading the love of live music to younger generations, Chelsey Green and The Green Project work with students from all backgrounds and expose them to the possibilities of what music can be.
Dr. Green has given formal Commencement addresses at The University of Texas College of Fine Arts and Berklee College of Music as well as keynote speaking engagements at Boise State University, Longy School of Music of Bard College, the McNair Scholars National Conference, Gulf University of Science and Technology (Kuwait), The University of Maryland College Park, College of the Holy Cross, The Foundation of Connaissance et Liberté (Haiti), American University, the YOLA Program of the LA Philharmonic and more.
Currently, Dr. Green serves as a Trustee on the National Board of The Recording Academy (NARAS) and as a DC Ambassador of the Black Music Collective (NARAS). She is also a member of the Program Council advisory board for NewMusic USA and a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women, Inc., The Society, Incorporated and the American Federation of Musicians.