Kelsey Mira is a singer/songwriter from Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a gift for
learning languages and writes music in English, Italian, and French. She has
studied Vocal Performance at Xavier University with both music and
academic scholarships, which were held for her while she took a year-long
hiatus from school to focus on her music career. When music industry
professionals expressed interest in Kelsey in 2009, the University was
excited about her prospects and future endeavors. Because of her
dedication to music and her strong academic performance, which included
being named to the Dean’s List at Xavier, Kelsey was able to take the time
off from school. At Xavier, Kelsey was in three ensembles: Concert Choir,
The Edgecliff Vocal Ensemble, and Schola Cantorum. The Edgecliff Vocal
Ensemble is a selective choir, and Schola Cantorum is a fast-paced
ensemble comprising eight people. The group performs challenging
material in multiple languages.
From 2005–2008, Kelsey sang with the May Festival Youth Chorus as a
soprano and performed two solos: O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini and
Gretchen am Spinnrade by Shubert. During this time she studied voice with
Andrea Caldwell (2005–2006) and Laura J. Hoevenaar (2006–2008). She
then studied with Harriet Beebe Arrasmith (2008-2009) at Xavier University.
In High School Kelsey earned a scholarship to study with Karl Resnik,
Master Voice Teacher at the Musical Arts Center in Cincinnati. Kelsey also
performed in several musicals throughout her high school career.
In 2007 Kelsey finished recording her first Album, Livin’ on the Other Side
at White Diamond Studios in Hamilton, Ohio. Kelsey’s album was
distributed on CD Baby as well as through her high school spirit store. The
album featured eight songs Kelsey wrote as well as two cover tunes.
Shortly after the album was finished, Kelsey was hired to sing Italian arias
at Pitrelli’s Italian Café in Mason, Ohio. She then began performing original
music on Thursday nights at Kidd Coffee, also in Mason, Ohio. Kelsey
performed with her guitar and piano and drew a diverse crowd of fans in
her town.
On March 20, 2009, Kelsey was chosen to sing three solos of Alice Parker
choral music in The Xavier University Edgecliff Vocal Ensemble for the
“Music of Alice Parker” concert at Bellarmine Chapel. Alice Parker was
present at this concert and told Kelsey she did a wonderful job performing
the solos.
In 2009 the late Don Casselman, a music manager from Nashville and
former manager of Jordan Pruitt, traveled to Cincinnati to meet Kelsey. As
requested by Casselman, Kelsey immediately started sending cover songs
recorded in White Diamond Studios to him. He wanted to market Kelsey
and sign her as a rising young star. Unfortunately, during a tragic event,
Don Casselman passed away. Kelsey thought of him as a mentor and
received great advice from him.
Kelsey then began working with Bud Reneau, a songwriter in Nashville who
has written songs for such notable artists as Dolly Parton, Gladys Knight,
Etta James, and Patty Loveless. He also came to Cincinnati to meet with
Kelsey and was impressed with her songwriting style and ability. At the
meeting, Kelsey explained all of her musical interests, including writing rap
music. Bud asked her to write a rap song, and she started on it the next
day. She then sent him “Music Biz,” and he loved it. In July 2009, Kelsey
went to Nashville and recorded two of Bud Reneau’s songs in Michael
McDonald’s studio in Nashville, Tennessee. With the help of Kathy Walker
(the sister of Michael McDonald, formerly of the Doobie Brothers), Kelsey
was able to get meetings with EMI Records and Bug Music on Music Row
in Nashville.
In addition to continuing her work with Bud Reneau, Kelsey is currently
working on a project in Nashville where she is recording Pop/R&B songs
that she wrote. In her home town, she often performs National Anthems
for teams such as The Dayton Dragons, The Cincinnati Cyclones, Xavier
Basketball, and performed God Bless America for the Cincinnati Reds. She
has also been hired to sing popular oldies and jazz tunes with the Metro
City Allstars, a seven-person ensemble based in Cincinnati.
Biography
KMMG
Kelsey Mira Management Group, LLC
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