Lawrence Kelp

Profile Updated: December 15, 2014
Residing In: Berkeley, CA USA
Spouse/Partner: Dr. Barbara Stebbins
Occupation: writer, Berkeley Schools music sub, kpfa-fm host
Children: Grandchildren: Katie (1981) Emma (1986)
Yes! Attending Reunion
Comments:

BA in journalism, Oakland Tribune music critic for 15 years, a fun year covering arts for the Press Democrat (remember that 1995 8-page feature on accordion music tied in to the 5th Cotati Accordion Festival?), have been freelancing, substitute teaching past 15 years in Berkeley schools, mostly for music teachers, and other things that I can no longer remember

School Story:

We were the Original Salvation Army Band for senior character day.
There are a lot of SRHS teachers who influenced me and choices I've made in life. But it is interesting that the people we are closest to, teachers we spent every day with, get lost in the shuffle of history. I was on the SRHS school newspaper and wrote Car of the Month on Rick Van Krugel's "Toad," his rusting Studebaker, which made the journalism teacher think I had talent. I did not dissuade him.

Where else have you lived?

Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and several significant other sites

What do you do nowadays?

in the previous century I was the Oakland Tribune music critic, for past 25 years have hosted "Sing Out" program on Berkeley radio station KPFA (94.1 FM), and for my twilight years (since the beginning of this century) I am a substitute teacher in the Berkeley Public Schools, middle school and music classes mainly.
Go Panthers!

Tell us about past jobs you've had.

Cincinnati Library PR assistant director, vice chair of Berkeley Civic Arts Commission, dough roller for Straw Hat Pizza Palace in Santa Rosa and Oakland, night manager of Denny's on Santa Rosa Avenue, 15 years as Oakland Tribune music critc, freelance music writer for various newspapers and magazines, host of "Sing Out" radio program on Berkeley's KPFA-FM since 1989.

What is the farthest you have been from Santa Rosa?

Moscow, USSR

Where is your favorite place to go in the world? Also, where else have you always wanted to go?

Favorite place? Monument Valley.
I want to go to a planet that has solved the global warming crisis, where everyone cares for everyone else...

How do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself growing older and perhaps harder of hearing, and then my children will take care of me and their mother in our twilight years...and then everything will become very dark.

Lawrence's Latest Interactions

Lawrence Kelp posted a message.
May 30, 2015 at 11:48 AM

Glenn wonders about the bagpipes. My first thought was the kilt. Cultural traditions are important to preserve.

Lawrence Kelp added a comment on his Profile.
Dec 21, 2014 at 1:52 PM
Lawrence Kelp updated his profile. View.
Dec 15, 2014 at 6:30 PM




agape