Kelle Jolly

Kelle Jolly is a musician, educator, and storyteller whose interdisciplinary practice connects music, storytelling, and Appalachian cultural traditions. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a concentration in Voice from South Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in Communication and Storytelling Studies from East Tennessee State University.

Jolly’s professional work encompasses performance, education, broadcasting, and community-based arts engagement. A ukulele artist and vocalist, she has performed throughout Appalachia and beyond and has been a featured artist at the Dollywood Flower and Food Festival since 2020. She also hosted Jazz Jam with Kelle Jolly on WUOT 91.9 FM for a decade, highlighting the work of vocal jazz artists and contributing to the region’s cultural and musical discourse.

Her performance and storytelling work has been presented at venues and events including TEDx ETSU and the Levitt AMP Series, as well as in film and soundtrack projects. As an educator, Jolly has taught music in elementary and community settings and regularly leads ukulele clinics, workshops, master classes, and professional development programs.

Her scholarship and creative practice explore the intersections of music, storytelling, cultural identity, and community engagement. Through performance and teaching, Jolly contributes to the preservation, interpretation, and contemporary expression of Appalachian and African American musical and storytelling traditions.