Kelli was born into a musical family and sat on the piano bench with her mother and aunts to sing and pretend play from an early age. At age four she had a burning desire to be able to play real music for herself. Maybe that is why she has always enjoyed introducing young ones to the joys of musical learning. At age eight she began regular lessons with her mother as teacher. In junior high she began to accompany her school choirs and continued to do so throughout high school years. At the same time she was the church pianist at the little Baptist church where her family was active.
After high school she pursued a music education degree at then Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. She chose a vocal emphasis and desired to be a music classroom/choir teacher. After acquiring ninety hours toward that goal, she became involved in church ministry which took her out of the academic setting. For the next seventeen years she served as church pianist, taught private piano lessons in her home and mentored young people in musical development, spiritual values and life skills along the way.
In 1981 Kelli moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas with her young family to serve in college ministry. Soon after arriving in Fayetteville she began building her piano teaching experience which has continued to the present. From fall of 2004- spring 2013 she worked with administration and teaching staff to develop a "during the school day" piano program at The New School, a local private school. During that time she also taught preschool music classes for ages two through five at The New School. Now a single, empty nester and proud grandmother she finds much reward in her association with students and their families who are enrolled in Piano'sCool. Kelli also enjoys participating and leading Bible classes and mentoring through her church.
Kelli is a member of Music Teachers' National Association, including the state affiliation Arkansas State Music Teachers' Association and the local chapter, Northwest Arkansas Music Teachers' Association. She has continued her education through taking "Music Technology" and "Teaching Music to Neurodiverse Students" at the University of Arkansas music department.