Finding Her Voice

SPRING LAKE NATIVE Kelly Reynolds has always had music in her heart.

From early performances in school choirs and community theater to singing the national anthem for audiences at just 6 years old, her passion for performing began right here along the Jersey Shore. Now a freshman at Princeton University, she continues to pursue her musical dreams by writing, recording, and performing songs that reflect her deep connection to the world around her.

“Kelly’s development into a competent and potentially successful musician and an accomplished student has clearly been the result of the great education she received at H.W. Mountz, her exposure to the community theater, and as a singer at St. Catharine’s and St. Margaret’s,” says her dad, Steve Reynolds.

Here, Kelly Reynolds shares how growing up in Spring Lake shaped her creativity, her journey from local stages to the recording studio, and how she hopes to inspire others through her music.

When did you first realize music was something you wanted to pursue seriously?

I realized that I wanted to pursue music after my first real live show. It was right after I had joined Lakehouse Music Academy in Asbury Park. I remember getting together before the show to get to know my band and start working on our set, and it was the first time that I had fully seen my music come to life in real time. Before, it was just my guitar and me in my bedroom.

What are some of your earliest memories of performing?

I was part of my school and church choirs in Spring Lake for as long as I can remember, and I remember really loving the performances that we put on for our families. I also was a frequent national anthem singer for Princeton University. The first time I did this, I was 9 years old, and I can vividly remember the mix of nerves and excitement bundled up inside of me. Whenever I get nervous to perform now, I remind myself that if that little girl could do something so daunting, I can do anything.

How did growing up at the Jersey Shore influence your love of music and performing?

It was at Lakehouse Music Academy that I learned how to perform for a crowd, how to play with other musicians, and how to craft my sound. Jon Leidersdorff, the owner of the academy, took me under his wing as a singer/songwriter, and I could always count on him to help me out with whatever I needed, both related and unrelated to music. The community there is really amazing, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

You started in student choruses and community theater at a young age. How did those experiences shape your approach to performing today?

Starting in student choruses and the Spring Lake Community Theatre gave me a foundation that goes far beyond technique, shaping how I connect with both my audience and collaborators. In chorus, I learned the value of blending voices rather than standing out, which taught me that music is just as much about listening as it is expression. Community theater, on the other hand, helped me realize that every song and performance has a narrative, and that conveying emotion authentically is wildly important. Additionally, I feel it was pivotal to my abilities as a performer on stage.

How did you first become involved in completing Jillian Ludwig’s song “Place”?

Being a part of bringing Jillian’s song to life is something that I will forever be grateful for. She was a huge role model to me. When I joined Lakehouse, she was known as a legend in the music scene, and her music taste was almost identical to mine. I watched the way that she performed, practiced, and worked a crowd, and I learned from it. After she passed, her family reached out to me with the idea of recording “Place,” and I agreed without hesitation. It is such an incredibly beautiful thing that was made in her honor and is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Working on Jillian’s song was unlike anything I’d done before—it wasn’t just about recording; it was about carrying someone else’s story with care. I wanted to make sure every note and lyric reflected who she was as an artist. It also reminded me why I make music in the first place: to connect with people and to keep their voices and emotions alive through sound. Being trusted with something so meaningful was an honor, and it deepened my appreciation for how powerful music can be in preserving someone’s legacy.

Recording Jillian’s song made me realize that music isn’t just a form of expression; it’s a form of preservation. Music can be deeply healing, both for the artist and for those who listen. That understanding has made me approach my own songwriting with more honesty, care, and purpose.

What are your long-term goals as a musician?

Long term, I am interested in exploring how music can be used in psychology and therapy. I want to study the ways sound and songwriting can help people process emotions and build confidence, especially in young people. My goal is to combine my passion for music with my interest in psychology to make a real impact.

BY DANIELLE KUTCHER