Katie Kelly is no stranger to the spotlight. In fact, she’s been doing this her whole life. With star-shaped glasses, a hairbrush, and a mirror, she was the star of her own show every day from a young age. At just 7 years old, she traded the hairbrush for a microphone, auditioning to sing the national anthem for a semi-professional baseball team, the New Britain Bees. Katie impressed many at her audition, and her singing career was subsequently launched.

Katie began to spread the wealth to other Connecticut professional sports arenas. Dunkin’ Donuts Park and XL Center crowds in Hartford were regularly graced by a signature national anthem sung by Katie Kelly. At 13 years old, Katie branched out into other genres. She channeled her inner Pat Benatar and stepped into the Rock & Roll world. While other teens were figuring out high school, Katie became the lead singer of “Bad Jack” and focused more on rocking out at fairs and covering The Cranberries at bars on Friday nights.

Katie studied voice and basic guitar under the distinguised Carrie Johnson of the renowned duo “22 Brides”. She worked with Carrie on technique and songwriting for four years before moving on to her college vocal coach, Benjamin Rauch.

Currently, Katie is a rising junior at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music. She majors in Music Management with a Commercial Voice concentration. She has made a name for herself as a rising star on campus and all around Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, with sights set on more opportunities to perform in the future.

Katie’s incredible band includes Carson Knapp on guitar, Kenny Wadinger on guitar, Ryan Ricks on bass, and Mateo Oloriz on drums. Katie would not be where she is without them! Since most of her band goes back home at the end of the semester, she is collaborating with Simsbury-based band Iron Horse for the summer! See more of their work at www.ironhorsetheband.com.