Kelly grew up in Warsaw, Indiana before attending her last two years in high school at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. She continued her education in Piano Performance and earned the degrees of B.M., M.M. and D.M.A. from the Cincinnati Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and the University of Memphis, respectively. She has taught at several college music departments, and served as a church musician for more than 30 years.

She is presently also interim choir director and organist at Gashland Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Gladstone, MO. At Shawnee, she helps out with the Sunday slideshows and weekly newsletter, and is Artistic Director of Community Concerts at Shawnee Presbyterian. To learn more about Kelly, please visit: kellykerhackleman.com.