Stefanie Kelly started singing in church when she was just two years old, and although she ran off the stage crying that first Sunday, she picked up her boots (or rather tears) and has been at it ever since. As a musician, Stefanie's style is an eclectic mix of Pop, Jazz and R&B. Classically trained in voice and piano with a rich history of jazz studies, her original music chronicles the life story of a believer who still struggles, but ultimately finds hope in the Lord. Stefanie's lyrics journal her joys, heartaches, simple pleasures, real doubts, but real faith in Christ alone. A graduate, Valedictorian, of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Stefanie has continued her life-long career of composing, recording, teaching, touring, and musical direction. Most recently she has served as Worship Arts Pastor at the Rock Church with Pastor Miles McPherson, and also at College Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Carlton Harris, both in San Diego. She is a contributing writer and clinician for Worship Leader Magazine as well as an Instructor with Worship Team Training, LLC. Stefanie also oversees her non-profit organization, Smiling Heart Ministries, a 501-C3, which donates music of hope to the hurting (smilingheartministries.org). Stefanie has released 4 original vocal recordings and 2 solo piano instrumental recordings, available on ITunes. In 2015, Stefanie began work on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a life-long passion, which she hopes to someday use in conjunction with her music experiences and love for people. Some of Stefanie’s career highlights include performances/recordings with musicians David Foster, Josh Groban, Natalie Cole, Nate Morton (The Voice), Israel Houghton, Smokey Robinson, Paul Anka, Third Day, Gungor, Newsboys, Al Denson, Rebecca St. James, Bryan Duncan, the Katinas, Vicky Beeching, Rachael Lampa, Sarah Kelly, Johnny Mann, Larnelle Harris, Ralph Carmichael, Phil Sillas, Tommy Walker, Nathan East, Michael Thompson, Abraham Laboriel, Bill Maxwell, John Ferraro, Matt Bissonette, Steve Smith (Journey), Neil Stubenhaus, Shawn Tubbs, Bob Wilson, Ramin Djawadi (Iron Man), and the Scottsdale Symphony. She has performed for recording artists James Taylor, James Ingram, Liza Minelli, Denise Williams, Dionne Warwick, Steven Curtis Chapman, Helen Baylor, Billy Preston, CeCe Winans, Oleta Adams, Randy Travis, Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, Christopher Cross, Horace Silver, Ramsey Lewis, Arif Mardin, songwriters Alan Menken, Marilyn Bergman, Lou Pardini, and Michael Masser. She has worked with Grammy nominated and award winning producers Dan Garcia, John Andrew Schreiner, Michael C. Ross, Matt Bronlewee, Jamie Kenney and Bill Schnee. An unforgettable honor was her invitation to be a guest artist at Billy Graham's Albany, NY crusade, where she sang original music and accompanied herself on the grand. May God be glorified for all these unforgettable moments.
Stefanie’s life Scripture is Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”