Louisville, Kentucky produces more than great bourbon and great sports. 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 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 the marimba, snare drum, and Latin percussion studies with 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 also participated in all-county and all-state bands during her middle and high school years and earned distinguished ratings for her performances at the annual Kentucky Music Educators’ Association convention. 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 state.
For the last 12 years, Kelsey loved being 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. Kelsey is endorsed by Toca Percussion Company and has performed with world-renowned musicians including CJ Vanston, Michael Fitzpatrick, Victor Mendoza, Dani Markham, Dan Dorff, Jerry Steinholtz, Hannah Ford Welton, Louie Bellson, Ruben Alvarez, and Ndugu Chancler. She had the pleasure of opening for Bruno Mars, Carlene Carter, and the 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards with her all girl trio, Southern Sirens.
When she’s not busy molding the minds of young musicians and performing, Kelsey enjoys hula hooping, fire juggling, and playing sports. A graduate from Indiana University Southeast with a degree in Elementary Education, she volunteers for the WHAS Crusade for Children, hosts/instructs drum clinics, and leads drum circles all around the country along with in Elementary, Middle, and High schools. In addition to giving private percussion lessons, she performs and travels with the Southern Sirens as well as Bungalow Betty while serving as a guest performer for many local musicians such as Brigid Kaelin, Steve Cooley, Dennis Ledford, Relic, Sean Sullivan Trio, and so many more!
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 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 the marimba, snare drum, and Latin percussion studies with 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 also participated in all-county and all-state bands during her middle and high school years and earned distinguished ratings for her performances at the annual Kentucky Music Educators’ Association convention. 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 state.
For the last 12 years, Kelsey loved being 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. Kelsey is endorsed by Toca Percussion Company and has performed with world-renowned musicians including CJ Vanston, Michael Fitzpatrick, Victor Mendoza, Dani Markham, Dan Dorff, Jerry Steinholtz, Hannah Ford Welton, Louie Bellson, Ruben Alvarez, and Ndugu Chancler. She had the pleasure of opening for Bruno Mars, Carlene Carter, and the 2014 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards with her all girl trio, Southern Sirens.
When she’s not busy molding the minds of young musicians and performing, Kelsey enjoys hula hooping, fire juggling, and playing sports. A graduate from Indiana University Southeast with a degree in Elementary Education, she volunteers for the WHAS Crusade for Children, hosts/instructs drum clinics, and leads drum circles all around the country along with in Elementary, Middle, and High schools. In addition to giving private percussion lessons, she performs and travels with the Southern Sirens as well as Bungalow Betty while serving as a guest performer for many local musicians such as Brigid Kaelin, Steve Cooley, Dennis Ledford, Relic, Sean Sullivan Trio, and so many more!
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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. Show them some love and check out their websites/products/information!
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