photo by Cheston Bogue

Louise Kelly is a pianist, singer, songwriter, performer, and music educator in the Chicago area.

She has been performing for over twenty years throughout Chicago.  Of her many inspirations, she is most inspired by her two children, Bella and Noelle, and Stevie Wonder.  She distinguished herself with her debut album in 2010.

Cave Paintings & Silent Movies (pictured below) was produced and engineered by K-Nein of the acclaimed Chicago band, Oblio and Arrow.

Cave Paintings and Silent Movies. Artwork: LNZart

Her second album, Two Gardens, is due out in April of 2020.  Look for “Loneliest Town,” the first single from Two Gardens (produced by Zach Goforth.) Release date: Feb. 21, 2020.

Two Gardens. Artwork: Kelsey Boncato

Surrounding oneself with top-shelf musicians is not difficult in the city of Chicago. Louise has found several exceptional players with whom to join forces. Her piano/bass duo with bassist Martin Stonikas has entertained audiences at Parker’s Steakhouse as well as hotels in downtown Chicago.

Louise Kelly & Martin Stonikas Pop/Jazz Duo @ Parkers. photo credit: Raina Chang.

Currently, Louise is an Account Manager for Backthird Entertainment. In addition to writing musical arrangements for them, she also performs with Backthird’s Pop Strings ensemble. You can find out more about Backthird Entertainment here.

Pop Strings, Backthird Entertainment: Colleen Eakley, Louise Kelly, Dorothy Deen.                   photo credit: Stephen Signa

Louise has also served as a chorus director and general music teacher for eight years at Hillside School, a K-8 elementary school in Hillside, Illinois.

Hillside Chorus, directed by Louise Kelly

A graduate of North Central College, Naperville, she was awarded the Clarence Junke Outstanding Music Student Award. In 2016 she completed her Masters of Music Education Degree from Vandercook College of Music, Chicago.