Biographical:
Kelly Katherine Rainer is a Singer / Songwriter / Musician.
A single-minded focus to love God has given Kelly a compassion for others and a desire to make everyone aware of God’s love for them, and inspire and encourage them through her music. Kelly is a singer / songwriter /musician who is continually drawing her inspiration from her relationship with Jesus, and continues to develop her voice and skills on the piano and guitar.
Kelly’s latest release and first full-length album is titled “Stand Your Ground”, and is a stylistic mix that will appeal to a wide range of listeners. Prior to this CD, Kelly completed two other EPs: “Tuggin’ On My Heart” in 2014; and “Break Me” in 2011. Her song “Already Won” was featured on the “Local Artist Spotlight” on the Christian radio station The JoyFM 93.3 out of Atlanta.
A love for both God and music sprang to life in Kelly at an early age. She was composing and performed songs for family and friends as a youth, which further ignited her passion for music and drama. Public performances began early too, as she was a member of the choir from 5th -8th grade at Cavalry Christian School, and continued choral pursuits through high school at Columbus High. While performing with the choir at Columbus High, Kelly was grateful to be invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. During this time, Kelly also auditioned for, and was selected for the Georgia All-State Chorus for four years.
Those early years also saw a desire for dramatic performance. She participated in plays at school and was grateful to become an intern at Springer Opera House, and gain experience and inspiration from the professional actors and crew there.
A God-fueled compassion and desire to help and serve others also found Kelly in the role of a Teen Advisor. A role she cherished and one in which she regularly provided guidance, insights and prayers for other teens who called into a weekly Christion radio program for advice.
These early-life experiences fueled a passion to make Christian music an integral part of her life.
A yearning to advance her education and knowledge of music found her at Auburn University, where she received her Bachelors in Music Education. While at Auburn, she sang with the Chamber Choir, with performances that included: a premiere of “The Cry of Jeremiah” composed by Dr. Rosephanye Powell; and a tour in Italy to perform Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, to name just a few.
As a conclusion to her experience at Auburn, Kelly was invited by the university to sing the national anthem at the graduation ceremonies. Following graduation, Kelly was hired in the role of choral and drama teacher at a middle school in Georgia. Her perpetual enthusiasm and craving to transfer her passion for music and drama to her students was evident in the musical performances she directed, and the participation of the students in those musicals.
After several years of teaching, Kelly made the difficult decision to further pursue her music education, and is currently studying for her masters in music education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she earned a fellowship and is a graduate teacher assistant. She is a member of the all-women’s a cappella group, “ReVOLution” as well as the Chamber Singers. While studying at UT, she is also serving on the worship team at Faith Promise Church, volunteers as a youth worship leader, and strives to inspire others to draw closer to Jesus.
Life experiences – both inspiring and perplexing – have resulted in a unique perspective that comes to life in her lyrics and compositions.
Living an intentional life – one of significance and purpose – is Kelly’s life goal, and is exemplified in her service and commitment to the Lord in her music and in her life.
Of her many favorite scriptures, Kelly considers Psalm 115:1 a guiding verse for her life: “Not to us O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory."
Kelly's most recently released CD is called "Stand Your Ground", and is now available for purchase and download on iTunes and most major digital music providers.
