JAE.CI
Jae Carelli
is a vocalist and musician whose work spans contemporary classical, original songwriting, narrative storytelling, and experimental performance. Based in Brooklyn, NY, they create immersive experiences at the intersection of voice, technology, and identity, exploring themes of belonging, duality, and cultural heritage.
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Jae is the creator, composer, and performer of Homeward Bound: A Korean Adoptee Exploring the Longing for Belonging (2025), a two-act solo narrative musical integrating original songs, contemporary classical repertoire, and spoken monologues addressing the seven core issues of adoption. The show premiered to sold-out audiences at The Cell Theatre (NYC) and Somerville Music Spaces (MA), with Jae raising $10,000 through community crowdfunding, to produce the shows and record the correlating concept album, American Doll, at Gary’s Electric in Brooklyn.
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Their performance credits include principal roles in The Passion of Miss DeMarco, Unemployed Stenographer (The Flea Theater, 2025), and The Königsmark Affair (Hartt School of Music, 2023). They have also appeared as a guest vocalist at events such as Citibank AAPI Heritage Month (NYC, 2025), Boreale with Buttersuit (2025), and Smash Bros Live with Analog Crossing (2025).
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Jae’s collaborative practice includes membership in the Into the Light Ensemble, performing new works, and organizing interdisciplinary projects. They are equally active as a songwriter, music director, and educator, having directed ensembles and choirs, leading performances for audiences of 200+, and producing community-focused concerts and fundraisers.
Academic Bio
Jillian “Jae” Carelli is an interdisciplinary vocal artist, composer, and voice pedagogue whose practice integrates contemporary classical performance, original songwriting, and research-based approaches to narrative and identity. They are pursuing a Master of Arts in Voice Pedagogy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (expected 2026) and hold a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, cum laude, from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee (2020).
Their creative work investigates identity, belonging, diaspora, and language, as exemplified in their solo project Homeward Bound: A Korean Adoptee Exploring the Longing for Belonging, which integrates original composition, curated repertoire, spoken monologues, and multimedia projections. Jae has premiered contemporary works, including most recently The Passion of Miss DeMarco, Unemployed Stenographer, which premiered at the Flea Theater, collaborating directly with composers and ensembles to realize innovative performances.
As an educator, Jae teaches voice and piano across classical, contemporary, and commercial styles, emphasizing identity-affirming pedagogy, performance confidence, and healthy, scientifically backed vocal technique. They have taught privately in Boston and New York, and at studios such as the acclaimed Singing Lessons NYC by Eleonor England.
Their leadership experience includes directing multiple community and faith community liturgical music programs, overseeing ensembles ranging from youth and adult choirs to a four-voice treble a cappella group, programming repertoire for weekly services and special events, and coordinating multi-ensemble productions and outreach concerts.
Jae’s research and professional development include participation in residencies and fellowships such as the Bespoken Fellowship (2022–2025), guest facilitation at Keepsake House (2023–present), and ongoing transgender voice certification under Dr. Felix Graham. Their interdisciplinary practice encompasses voice, piano, organ, synthesizer, narrative composition, live sound, and recording, positioning them as a dynamic performer, educator, and scholar at the forefront of contemporary vocal arts.