Kellie Aiken, soprano

Because of her extensive background in both sacred and secular music, Kellie is able to adapt and sing multiple types of songs depending on the desired program. Her approach is collaborative in crafting the right music for a client and the specific programming. She also can provide recommendations for additional vocalists and instrumentalists to hire depending on the event, venue and needs.

Kellie Aiken is an American soprano and actress who began singing in church revivals and tours with her mother Barbara, a pianist and recording artist, at the age of 3. She has studied voice formally since the age of 12 working with renowned teachers throughout the US in her home state of SC, while an undergrad at Winthrop University, throughout her tenure in NYC and while attending The Juilliard School for graduate work in Opera Studies. Her choral work began at the age of 9 and has continued ever since. She has sung with the Winthrop Chorale, Winthrop Chamber Singers, Moses Hogan Chorale, Master Chorale of LA Opera, and praise teams with several church congregations.

As a soloist in NYC, she has performed in Carnegie Hall, at Lincoln Center, in several Broadway shows, and in Los Angeles, she served for over 9 years as a cantor where she would lead the music for 3-5 services a week in addition to cantoring weddings, funerals and baptisms all while being the soprano section leader of the choir for her local parish Church of the Good Shepherd. In 2019, she transitioned from her local parish to the seat of the archdiocese of Los Angeles to sing at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. And, she was a contracted acapella-quartet performer at Disneyland.

With the pandemic, came a lot of changes, including a return to her home state of SC. Since her return, she has been a member of the praise team in Greenville, SC for a local church, a contracted soloist for several area funeral homes and is a member of Palmetto Voices Spiritual Ensemble with several of the top gospel singers in the Southeast. In 2023, she toured Europe singing in the UK with composer John Rutter, Paris' Basilica of Sacré Coeur, Amsterdam, Berlin, Warsaw and Riga. She also led the music and taught master classes for the Latvian group Imago Dei's summer artist retreat "ImagiNations" where she debuted the English performance of Swedish composer Jonas Engström's "Ord." This summer, she'll be an artist-in-residency at Bologna Opera Academy in Italy in addition to preparing several other performances for US-based opera companies.

Kellie speaks and sings in eight languages including English, Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, German, Russian and Latvian and is proficient in opera, jazz, musical theatre, oratorio, Baroque, Gregorian chant using a 4-line staff and neumes, chamber music, gospel, choral and post-modern adaptive vocal techniques.

SETUP: AUDIO, LIGHTING & ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
1. It is highly recommended that there is a fully functioning and accessible sound system (including microphone(s), speakers and monitors) available as well as accompaniment provided by either live music (*recommended) in which case the instrumentalist(s) is available for a rehearsal and atleast one planning phone call or zoom session prior to any gig to work through details/plans or backing tracks which can be also incorporated into the sound system setup.

2. If an audio engineer is required for a sound system, it is the client's (CLIENT) responsibility to contract and provide this. And, I (VOCALIST), expect to be able to speak with the audio tech or a venue contact prior to the event to coordinate logistics, load-in, sound checks, etc prior to the event.

3. VOCALIST is able to work with teleprompters and in-ears audio if the setup and staging requires it.

4. VOCALIST does not provide any audio equipment other than their own in-ears, but can rent equipment if necessary assuming that CLIENT contracts this in advance and provides direct payment to the vendor.

5. VOCALIST does not provide their own accompaniment unless they are using "canned" (non-live) music as a backing track which will be downloaded prior to the event and formatted as the venue specifications require or in the event it is not needed and the music is to be performed acapella. If needed, VOCALIST can recommend instrumentalists (and/or fellow vocalists) for hire.

6. VOCALIST requires access to the venue atleast one hour prior to the start of the event for sound checks and warm up this arrival time will be agreed upon by both the VOCALIST and CLIENT.

7. VOCALIST will provide their own music stand and can bring a stool or chair if needed. In the event that they are unable to bring a stool or chair, they can request, in advance, one to be provided by the event venue or CLIENT.

8. VOCALIST will supply their own sheet music for any and all events which can be submitted to the CLIENT prior to the event at the CLIENT'S request to make sure the song selections are the correct arrangements.

9. Any changes to the agreed upon music, run-of-show and song selections must be made no later than 48 hours prior to an event.

10. In the event that a music request cannot be accommodated (ex: a song is for a different voice type which VOCALIST cannot accommodate, or in a style or genre VOCALIST is unable to do such as rap or beat boxing), VOCALIST will make alternative song-selection suggestions that VOCALIST can accommodate and/or recommend musicians who can be hired to fill in for those requested songs.

11. VOCALIST does not provide any lighting equipment but depending on the time of day and conditions, if the venue planner recommends additional lighting, it is highly recommend that this is contracted and that CLIENT defers to the on-site planner's recommendations.

12. If CLIENT does not provide audio or lighting equipment despite venue recommendations and cannot see or hear the VOCALIST, VOCALIST assumes no fault for CLIENT dissatisfaction.

EVENT SPECIFICATIONS
13. Duration of performance, run-of-show and breaks and cost of performance will be detailed and is contingent upon event specifications and will be contracted out on a case-by-case basis due to the prior mentioned conditions, expectations, venue location, length of gig or event, etc.

14. If an event is over 30 miles away but under 90 miles away from the home location of Simpsonville, SC, VOCALIST will require reimbursement for gas/mileage. If the gig is over 90 miles away, depending upon the start time of the gig and duration, housing accommodations will need to be provided in addition to reimbursement of gas/mileage. If a gig is contracted multiple days and is over 30 miles away from VOCALIST home location, accommodations will need to be provided. In the event the client cannot provide accommodations due to lack of availability at a proposed or nearby venue, CLIENT will work with VOCALIST to find alternative accommodations (airbnb, vrbo, personal guest room, etc...).

15. If the event location is not within reasonable driving distance (over 400 miles away), CLIENT will provide agreed upon transportation to location including airfare, hired driver or rideshare services, etc. for VOCALIST.

16. The CLIENT will provide validation for on-site venue parking when applicable.

17. VOCALIST will provide their own water, tea or other beverages but asks to have access to an outlet for using a kettle (depending on the event and season). If an event is over 5 hours in length and not exceeding 8 hours, VOCALIST requires a per diem or meal accommodations which can be determined upon contract.

18. CLIENT will guarantee a designated area (ie green room or staging room) for warmups, breaks, access to a gender appropriate restroom and changing area with available privacy if a restroom is not large enough for changing.

19. VOCALIST will provide their own wardrobe for the event and this will be discussed and confirmed prior to the event with either the CLIENT or EVENT PLANNER or whomever is their representative by proxy. Wardrobe to be considered normal or standard options include casual wear, business attire, casual-dressy "church appropriate" attire, semi-formal or cocktail attire or formal black-tie/evening gown attire. In the event that there is a request for attire that VOCALIST does not have (including specialty or themed costumes), VOCALIST can contract the rental of costuming to accommodate the request but will include this cost in the estimate for services rendered or depending on the cost of the costume (if it exceeds a reasonable amount), might require CLIENT to pay the costume rental company directly. All wardrobe decisions will be made and approved by both parties upon the contracting of services.

FEES
20. A proposal, tentative run-of-show and cost estimate will be provided to the CLIENT prior to contracting for an event, and within a reasonable time after a detailed conversation whether in person, via zoom or over the phone with both parties has occurred to properly meet expectations.

21. All fees will be paid prior to the start of an event or gig.

EVENT CHANGES OR CANCELLATION
22. Any changes to the date, time, duration of a gig, etc. will need to be discussed as soon as possible, and no later than 48 hours prior to the event so that accommodations and rescheduling can be made. If for some reason, VOCALIST is not available for the rescheduled date, VOCALIST will provide, to the best of their ability, a replacement vocalist and help facilitate the transition between them including but not limited to performance fees, music, run-of-show, contact information and introductions between replacement and CLIENT or client proxy, wardrobe or costuming requirements or rental.

23. In the event of cancellation or if VOCALIST cannot accommodate rescheduled event time/date and cannot provide a replacement, CLIENT agrees to the following schedule:
a. If event is cancelled or rescheduled atleast 1 month to 2 weeks prior to event, 75% of fees will be
refunded minus expenses incurred for cost of music, costumes, travel and/or housing accommodations.
b. If event is cancelled or rescheduled between 2 weeks and 1 week (7 days) prior to event, 50% of fees will
be refunded minus expenses and incidentals incurred by VOCALIST.
c. If event is cancelled or rescheduled between 7 days and 48 hours (2 days) prior to event, 25% of fees will
be refunded minus expenses and incidentals incurred by VOCALIST.
d. If event is cancelled or rescheduled within 48 hours prior to the event and VOCALIST cannot
accommodate rescheduled date and cannot find a replacement, no refund of fees will be issued.

24. If VOCALIST can accommodate rescheduled event, a rescheduling fee at a rate TBD which will be assessed depending upon any additional expenses incurred by VOCALIST and any inconveniences incurred by VOCALIST.

INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS
25. If VOCALIST is unable to perform in the event or gig due to illness, scheduling conflicts or other unforeseen occurrences not limited to acts of god, injury or death, CLIENT will hold harmless VOCALIST and VOCALIST will to the best of their ability provide a replacement for the event or gig and transfer all pre-paid fees to their replacement in addition to sheet music, event specifications, costume rentals, accommodations, travel expenses, etc.

26. In the event VOCALIST has to cancel their performance and cannot find replacement for themself, CLIENT agrees to hold harmless VOCALIST for cancellation. VOCALIST agrees to refund CLIENT any and all fees pre-paid minus incidentals including but not limited to fees incurred for cost of sheet music, costume rental or other accommodations.