Photo by Divinity Rose
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. 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, her church and various special events around town.
Kelsey is an assistant director for the Leopards and co-leads the beginner group. She assists in the direction of the Leopards’ experience group, Leopards Lite, and co-directs the Steel Leopards. Kelsey is endorsed by Toca Percussion Company and Sabian Cymbals 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 the Southern Sirens.
When she’s not busy molding the minds of many young musicians and performing, Kelsey enjoys hula hooping and fire juggling. A graduate from Indiana University Southeast with a degree in Elementary Education, she volunteers for the WHAS Crusade for Children and teaches drum clinics and leads drum circles to non-profit organizations and schools. In addition to teaching Leopards and giving private percussion lessons, she performs and travels with The Southern Sirens while serving as a guest performer for many local musicians with various musical styles, ranging from Latin to Rock to Bluegrass and more. Kelsey’s most recent venture has been playing percussion in another all girl band, Bungalow Betty.
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. 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, her church and various special events around town.
Kelsey is an assistant director for the Leopards and co-leads the beginner group. She assists in the direction of the Leopards’ experience group, Leopards Lite, and co-directs the Steel Leopards. Kelsey is endorsed by Toca Percussion Company and Sabian Cymbals 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 the Southern Sirens.
When she’s not busy molding the minds of many young musicians and performing, Kelsey enjoys hula hooping and fire juggling. A graduate from Indiana University Southeast with a degree in Elementary Education, she volunteers for the WHAS Crusade for Children and teaches drum clinics and leads drum circles to non-profit organizations and schools. In addition to teaching Leopards and giving private percussion lessons, she performs and travels with The Southern Sirens while serving as a guest performer for many local musicians with various musical styles, ranging from Latin to Rock to Bluegrass and more. Kelsey’s most recent venture has been playing percussion in another all girl band, Bungalow Betty.
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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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