by Graciela Becerra
Features Editor
gbecerr1@jccc.edu
College coffee shop barista, student and now budding musician.
Kelsey Helpley, student, is hoping to begin her music career by performing at the college’s Student Concert Series.
“I was a part of the concert series last year,” she said. “A couple weeks ago I came to school and saw the audition poster and just auditioned that day.”
Helpley performed at the Student Concert Series on Wednesday, Feb. 10 and reflected on her performance.
“I think it went well. Apparently people couldn’t tell how many times I messed up,” she said. “So I would call that a good show.”
Although she had to audition for her performance at the college, Helpley said most of her performances are actually spur-of-the-moment.
“I usually just carry my guitar around and perform anywhere,” she said. “So it’s less of an actual gig and really just who catches me performing places, but I’ve been performing probably for three or four years.”
Helpley is a self-taught guitar player and stated she’s been singing and songwriting her whole life but still has trouble deciding which songs to perform.
“Picking them is hard because each one has … a value,” said Helpley. “I actually ended up playing like 20 songs [at the Student Concert Series] … but it’s the ones I know that the audience will have the most fun with or have the most sentimental attachment to.”
She credits Ed Sheeran and Adele as big musical inspirations.
“Any acoustic indie folk person really inspires me,” she said. “Basically anyone who is crafty and clever with the way they do things, instead of just writing a song.”
Helpley’s plans for the future include finishing her last year at the college and transferring to the University of Central Missouri to study theater. Although she isn’t studying music, Helpley doesn’t plan on quitting.
“I haven’t started releasing yet,” said Helpley. “My goal for this semester is to actually start posting covers and original music on YouTube, as well as dance videos. … So this semester is really my kickstart for my career, hopefully.”
Performances for the Student Concert Series are every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in COM 155.
Contributions from Aaron Rhodes, Staff Reporter.
Video by JCAV-TV.