In addition to his concert and festival outings, Kelly has spent over twenty-five years playing in schools and historical sites throughout the Midwest. He has been part of many artist-in-residencies and individual assemblies in Kansas and Missouri schools, in addition to appearances at historical events. His guitar work is often augmented by spoons, jawbone and cigar box fiddle, and always includes audience participation. Kelly enjoys a chance to sing for children, as well as their parents, grandparents and teachers, and those old familiar songs strike a chord with people of all ages.