Biography

Jae Carelli is a vocal pedagogue, vocal artist, songwriter, composer, music director, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. They are currently completing a Master of Arts in Voice Pedagogy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David through the Voice Study Centre, where their studies focus on voice science, cross-genre pedagogy, and gender-affirming voice techniques. They hold a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, cum laude, from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Carelli's creative practice explores adoption, diaspora, identity, gender, language, and belonging through contemporary classical music, original songwriting, and narrative performance. Their interdisciplinary work weaves together original songs, curated repertoire, and personal storytelling to invite audiences into stories of reckoning, resilience, and connection. Their original solo musical narrative, Homeward Bound: A Korean Adoptee Exploring the Longing for Belonging (2025), premiered to sold-out audiences in New York and Massachusetts, examining the seven core issues of adoption through an integration of original compositions, contemporary classical repertoire, and spoken narrative. They also released their debut concept album American Doll (2025), on the 7 core issues of adoption. An active performer and presenter, Carelli has appeared in opera, contemporary music, and interdisciplinary productions. Their interdisciplinary practice spans voice, piano, organ, synthesizer, songwriting and arranging, and recording, reflecting a commitment to collaborative and socially engaged artistic practice. Their work as a voice pedagogue informs their creative practice through a dedication to inclusive, identity-affirming, and expressive vocal artistry. Alongside their artistic and educational work, Carelli is the Founder and Artistic Director of Songs of Resistance, a concert series produced in partnership with Keepsake House that brings artists together to engage themes of social justice, civic participation, and collective action through music. With over a decade of teaching experience, Carelli works with singers across classical, contemporary commercial music, musical theatre, and interdisciplinary performance practices. Their teaching integrates evidence-based vocal pedagogy, trauma-informed approaches, and identity-affirming instruction to support healthy vocal development, authentic artistic expression, and collaborative music-making. They maintain a private voice studio and teach at Singing Lessons NYC, where they prepare students for auditions, performances, recordings, and original creative work. As a music director, Carelli has led choral, liturgical, community, and advocacy-based ensembles, including The Parent Party at iBrain, Bethany Congregational Church, The Women's Chorus with Eureka Ensemble, and The Crossing at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Their artistic leadership emphasizes accessibility, community engagement, and socially responsive performance. Their varied work positions them as a dynamic performer, educator, and scholar at the forefront of contemporary vocal arts.