Kelley Kimball
A classically trained soprano turned jazz singer, Kelley Kimball has established herself as a vocal chameleon, at home in theatres, concert halls, and jazz clubs alike. Known for her warm, velvety tone and innate artistry, Kelley is a true singing actress with a passion for storytelling through song and for connecting with audiences over our shared human experience.
Kelley had the great privilege of pursuing her passion for singing and thought for years she might end up a full-time professional singer. While life has thrown its share of curveballs, it has also given her some extraordinary experiences along the way. As a teenager, she sang at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. She went on to perform the soprano solos in Mozart’s Requiem and Rachmaninoff’s Kolokola, Op. 35 (The Bells), and to appear in recital with some of the world’s great collaborative pianists, including Martin Katz and Joseph Li. On the opera stage, she took on the roles of Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Musetta in La bohème, and the Countess in Richard Strauss’s Capriccio — and her Frau Fluth in Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor was so idiomatic that German audiences took her for a native speaker.
These experiences gave Kelley the chance to nurture her love of music and languages, discover a world of possibility, and connect with wonderful people. After her foray into the classical music world, she returned to the music of her childhood: vocal jazz. Kelley performed with Joseph Li throughout the Houston area with Lone Star Lyric Cabaret — Houston’s only New York-style cabaret — and the Da Camera of Houston Young Artist Program; together, the duo was featured on KUHA’s The Front Row performing the music of Cole Porter. After relocating to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kelley spent two years with the award-winning acoustic jazz band Djangophonique, performing in clubs throughout Michigan and at the legendary Wheatland Music Festival. Most recently, she has appeared with New Music Detroit and Yamaha Artist Justin Snyder.
Kelley holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from Rice University, where she studied with Stephen King on full scholarship.
In addition to singing, Kelley is a certified professional coach, healthcare educator, and voice teacher. She lives in Ann Arbor with her husband and their seven-year-old son.
