Today we’d like to introduce you to Kasie Shelnutt.
Hi Kasie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I always knew I wanted to be a professional musician and have been studying and composing music since I was 6 years old. Piano was my first love, and with it I received my first wedding gig at age 16 (a friend from church who had heard me play every Sunday) I remember playing my modern take on the classical “Here Comes the Bride” and still perform it for aisle walks to this day!
As a musician you end up doing a little bit of everything in the field, and for my particular journey I found myself into private piano teaching, music directing musical theater, playing in orchestra pits, accompanying for choirs, writing and recording, performing in the Nashville music scene, weddings, private events, etc… I value each of those experiences and connections so much, and attribute my reputation today to those early years of organic growth.
Since that first wedding at 16 years old, I’ve moved, gotten married, started a family, bought a house and all of the grownup things, all while continuing to grow as a musician and finally going full time officially in August of 2025. I make my bread and butter income with my teaching studio and wedding performances, but also have original music and big goals in the works for future projects!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has not been easy, but also I’ve had the great pleasure of growing slowly and without pressure. It’s been 18 years since that first wedding at 16 years old, and at that age I didn’t think it was possible for me to become a full time musician. I worked part time over the years, and picked up music jobs whenever and wherever I could in between all of the rest of my life. I thought music could only ever exist in a hobby space for me. Being in a position where I also needed music to be a reliable source of income was a challenge mentally, but the groundwork was already laid. Those years of steady, almost accidental growth paid off, and although I have a long ways to get to where I want to be, I’m confident that I’m well on my way. I’m doing the things! The biggest struggles have only ever been in my own mindsets.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m both a musician AND a music artist – maybe in the composer category a bit as well? I play with so much emotion and can perform beautiful piano music for your church or choir, but my specialty is taking any song from any genre and making it into an elegant masterpiece – sometimes only by hearing the first few seconds of a brand new song!
I enjoyed playing in my family band for many years as a teenager (and then again with my sister as a wedding duo), but some of my favorite projects include a choreographer’s original full length ballet production (composed the main theme and recorded and played all the variation tracks), collab writing and recording with other music artists, and all of the weddings I’ve been honored to be a part of and make so unique and special. One of my more recent popular arrangements I created with violinist Amy Justice (Canon in D/Goodness of God). It’s still the most viewed video on my TikTok page!
I also have to shoutout my amazing piano students who inspire me with their talents love of learning everyday! To be trusted with someone’s music education in this way is an huge honor and joy that I don’t take for granted. We explore all horizons of music in every lesson, focusing not only on traditional methods, but also Nashville numbers, composing, improvising, and other tools that will make them reliable and well rounded musicians primed for any musical future they can dream of. These kids (and adults!) are incredible, and I’m so excited to be a part of launching the next generation of piano players and future artists!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I’m doing exactly what I want to be doing, but over the next 5-10 years my business model will get bigger, better, more streamlined, and more custom.
I will always perform for weddings live, but I also want to make my wedding arrangements available to everyone to buy online to stream, or for other musicians to perform.
I want to release more of my original singer/songwriter music, mostly just as a “just for me” project.
I’ll have online music training programs available, sheet music, private coaching sessions, and more custom music lessons too.
I’m currently building out my in home recording studio, so once that’s up and running I’ll be able to get the ball rolling on a lot of my goals!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kasieshelnuttmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasieshelnuttmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582145356888
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kasieshelnuttmusic
- Other: https://linktr.ee/KasieShelnuttMusic
