Louisville, Kentucky produces more than great bourbon and great sports teams; It also produces great musicians, like percussionist Kelsey Lee.
Born and raised in Louisville, Kelsey picked up her first pair of sticks and mallets at the age of five and has yet to put them down! A member of the prestigious local group previously known as the Fabulous Leopard Percussionists (now the Louisville Leopard Percussionists) from kindergarten to 6th grade, her tenure included performances at the Kentucky and Indiana State Music Educators Association Conventions, the Atlanta International Band and Orchestra Convention, the Kentucky chapter of the Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion, and the 1999 International Association for Jazz Education Convention in New Orleans.
After aging out of the Fabulous Leopards, Kelsey continued her percussion studies through private lessons while at DuPont Manual High School and the Youth Performing Arts School focusing her skills on marimba, snare, timpani, wind ensemble, musical theater, and symphonic band under percussion studies teacher, Todd Parker. She became a member of the YPAS Percussion Ensemble which led to her performing at the 2004 Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the 2007 Bands of America conference in Indianapolis. She participated in all-county and all-state bands during her middle and high school years earning multiple distinguished ratings for her performances at the annual Kentucky Music Educators’ Association convention in snare drum, marimba, and timpani. Outside of her formal education, Kelsey played in the University of Louisville pep band, events/services/concerts at Highland Baptist Church, and other various special events around the city and state.
A graduate from Indiana University with a degree in Elementary Education, she was the Assistant Aquatic Supervisor working at Lakeside Swim Club for 11 years being trained in CPR, Oxygen, AED, and First Aid. Kelsey also loved working as the assistant director for the Louisville Leopard Percussionists and co-leading the Beginner, Steel, Middle School, Advanced, and Lite groups teaching and leading over 100 children a week for 12 years. Directing at places such as Ted Talks and a private concert for Ozzy, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne. Kelsey is endorsed by Toca Percussion, Atempo, RBI and has performed with world-renowned musicians including Hanson, CJ Vanston (Spinal Tap), Michael Fitzpatrick (recipient of The Prince Charles Award for Musical Excellence), Victor Mendoza, Dani Markham (Donald Glover/Childish Gambino), Dan Dorff (STOMP, Mucca Pazza), Jerry Steinholtz, Hannah Welton (Prince, 3rd Eye Girl), Louie Bellson, Ruben Alvarez, and Ndugu Chancler (Michael Jackson). She had the pleasure of opening for Bruno Mars, Carlene Carter, the 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards with her girl band, Southern Sirens, and Gaelic Storm (Titanic) with her band, Croghan's Crossing.
When she’s not performing with one of her bands: Southern Sirens, Croghan's Crossing, Brigid Kaelin Band, or Bungalow Betty, Kelsey thrives teaching private lessons and leading group percussion classes and drum circles for people of all ages along with traveling and learning from the best percussionists around the world. In Kelsey's "spare time" this active woman enjoys fire juggling, hula hooping, playing sports, being with her dogs and cats, and of course volunteering for the BEST non-profit in Louisville, Kentucky: WHAS Crusade for Children which goes 100% to the kids.
Born and raised in Louisville, Kelsey picked up her first pair of sticks and mallets at the age of five and has yet to put them down! A member of the prestigious local group previously known as the Fabulous Leopard Percussionists (now the Louisville Leopard Percussionists) from kindergarten to 6th grade, her tenure included performances at the Kentucky and Indiana State Music Educators Association Conventions, the Atlanta International Band and Orchestra Convention, the Kentucky chapter of the Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion, and the 1999 International Association for Jazz Education Convention in New Orleans.
After aging out of the Fabulous Leopards, Kelsey continued her percussion studies through private lessons while at DuPont Manual High School and the Youth Performing Arts School focusing her skills on marimba, snare, timpani, wind ensemble, musical theater, and symphonic band under percussion studies teacher, Todd Parker. She became a member of the YPAS Percussion Ensemble which led to her performing at the 2004 Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the 2007 Bands of America conference in Indianapolis. She participated in all-county and all-state bands during her middle and high school years earning multiple distinguished ratings for her performances at the annual Kentucky Music Educators’ Association convention in snare drum, marimba, and timpani. Outside of her formal education, Kelsey played in the University of Louisville pep band, events/services/concerts at Highland Baptist Church, and other various special events around the city and state.
A graduate from Indiana University with a degree in Elementary Education, she was the Assistant Aquatic Supervisor working at Lakeside Swim Club for 11 years being trained in CPR, Oxygen, AED, and First Aid. Kelsey also loved working as the assistant director for the Louisville Leopard Percussionists and co-leading the Beginner, Steel, Middle School, Advanced, and Lite groups teaching and leading over 100 children a week for 12 years. Directing at places such as Ted Talks and a private concert for Ozzy, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne. Kelsey is endorsed by Toca Percussion, Atempo, RBI and has performed with world-renowned musicians including Hanson, CJ Vanston (Spinal Tap), Michael Fitzpatrick (recipient of The Prince Charles Award for Musical Excellence), Victor Mendoza, Dani Markham (Donald Glover/Childish Gambino), Dan Dorff (STOMP, Mucca Pazza), Jerry Steinholtz, Hannah Welton (Prince, 3rd Eye Girl), Louie Bellson, Ruben Alvarez, and Ndugu Chancler (Michael Jackson). She had the pleasure of opening for Bruno Mars, Carlene Carter, the 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards with her girl band, Southern Sirens, and Gaelic Storm (Titanic) with her band, Croghan's Crossing.
When she’s not performing with one of her bands: Southern Sirens, Croghan's Crossing, Brigid Kaelin Band, or Bungalow Betty, Kelsey thrives teaching private lessons and leading group percussion classes and drum circles for people of all ages along with traveling and learning from the best percussionists around the world. In Kelsey's "spare time" this active woman enjoys fire juggling, hula hooping, playing sports, being with her dogs and cats, and of course volunteering for the BEST non-profit in Louisville, Kentucky: WHAS Crusade for Children which goes 100% to the kids.
I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by tons of talented and creative individuals that have helped me grow as a musician/percussionist and as a person. Please show them some love and check out their websites/products/information and how they are changing the world!
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Toca Percussion:
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