Cantor Kelly was born and raised in Michigan. In her early education, she was involved with multiple choirs and performed in many theatre productions such as “Fiddler on the Roof” “Cheaper by The Dozen” “Secret Garden” “Guys and Dolls” “Oklahoma” and more. After graduating from high school Cantor Kelly went right to work, but not in the music industry as one would expect. It was the ‘80’s and the recession hit home pretty hard, so Cantor Kelly needed to work to help support her family.

“I began working when I was 15 years old flipping burgers a Wendy’s and discovered very quickly the Fast-Food industry was not for me. I quit within a month and started working in the Retail industry which was much more up my ally. I quickly became Manager and then Buyer for the Brooks Company. I was in teenage heaven!” Cantor Kelly

Cantor Kelly continued working in retail until she was 18 when she became a Bartender and Sommelier for some of the top restaurants in the Detroit area. During this time, she was struggling with her birth religion, Catholicism.

“I have always considered myself a religious person. I was the only one in my family that went to church regularly, I sang in the choir, worked in the rectory, sang for weddings and funerals, and even helped with Bingo Wednesdays. But I really struggled with the basic theology of Father, Son, Holy Ghost. I would talk with my Priest about it but never got a satisfactory answer or help. That was when I realized I need to do some deep soul searching, I was 16.” Cantor Kelly

It took some time and lots of reading and studying but in 1987 Cantor Kelly converted to Judaism. In 1986 Cantor Kelly met her future husband, Harry. They were married in 1988 and their first son Kein was born in December of 1989. Four years later, in 1993, their daughter Sierra was born also in December.

“I am incredibly blessed to have such an amazing husband and two wonderful and brilliant children who make me proud every day!” Cantor Kelly

While raising her children and working, no longer as a Bartender/Sommelier but as a Nail Technician and later as a Realtor, Cantor Kelly continued to sing at her congregation and to study with her Rabbis and Cantors.

“There was a moment in my first year of being a Jew when I knew I was called to be a Cantor. Harry and I were taking a class called “The Holiday Workshop Series” at the end of the series our class lead a Erev Shabbat Service and I sang the Kiddush for the first time and in that moment I knew.” Cantor Kelly

It took many years, but in 2006, Cantor Kelly made the decision to go back to School and get her BA so she could apply to a seminary and start the process of becoming a Cantor. But as luck would have it her congregation needed help so in 2012 after graduating, she became the Cantorial Soloist of her home congregation. Cantor Kelly continued going to school earning her MA, and soon after graduation began at The Academy for Jewish Religion Seminary and shall we say the rest is history.

“My future is unwritten. I am looking forward to being a part of the Vero Beach community and learning all that it has to offer! Temple Beth Shalom is a very important part of this community and I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of TBS and I am jumping in with both feet!” Cantor Kelly