Justyna Kelley was exposed to the charm and allure of the music industry from day one. While growing up in “Music City” as the daughter of renowned singer/songwriter and recording artist Irene Kelley, musical visitors and impromptu jam sessions at home were always the norm. From an early age, Justyna was encouraged by both her parents to pursue her natural gift for singing, performing and songwriting. When Justyna ecstatically received her first guitar for Christmas at age nine, she realized that this was not only her calling, but a deep and heartfelt passion that she would pursue naturally, fearlessly and without compromise.
By her senior year in high school, Justyna began to take the craft of songwriting more seriously. Intent upon writing more proficiently and wanting to actively pursue co-writing opportunities with other like-minded songwriters in Nashville, Justyna was earnestly able to hone her songwriting skills and create a body of work that continued to grow exponentially. Justyna became even more skilled in guitar and piano as her reverence for musical icons such as Joni Mitchell, Patti Griffin, James Taylor and The Beatles continued to inspire her. Justyna attended college at The University of the South, where she became a member of the University Jazz Band and joined a local rock group that performed around campus.
In December 2005, Justyna moved to New York City to study music and theatre as part of her college curriculum. Upon her arrival, she quickly found herself performing as an off-Broadway actor and singing in clubs around Manhattan. It was during that year in New York that Justyna began working in the studio with music business veterans, Charles Koppelman, Joel Simon and Guy Eckstine. During the rest of her college years, and between studies, Justyna also toured with Irene Kelley as a back-up singer, often opening the show with a set of original compositions. One of her fondest and most formative musical memories is of headlining venues around the US with her mother and opening for such luminaries as: Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris and Jonathan Edwards.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude from The University of the South, Justyna moved to Los Angeles to carve out a career in the music business. In 2008, working under the tutelage of co-producer and manager Guy Eckstine, Justyna embarked on an ambitious and creative journey that has led to the completion of her very first album, “Over The Moon.” With legendary record producers, David Kershenbaum and Kevin Killen at the helm, and songwriting collaborations with such hit-makers as Diane Warren, Phil Galdston, Irene Kelley and Rand Bishop, Justyna’s artistic visions have been fully realized on her breathtaking debut.
