MI SUCCESS STORY: KELLY APPLETON

Before even attending MI, guitarist Kelly Appleton was already carving out a spot for herself in the professional music world. Her first gig as a pro came as a festival tour across the UK and Europe with trip hop artist, Tricky. She played some of the biggest audience crowds at iconic music festivals like Glastonbury Festival, The Exit Festival, and T In The Park. She subsequently would book television jobs, like performing with Simon Cowell’s group Il Divo and playing in the The X-Factor house band. She’s also played on the band for many well-known artists like Craig David, Nicola Roberts, Taio Cruz, all gigs that would take her around the world.

After studying music in the UK, Kelly kept hearing about MI and decided to enroll and make the move to Los Angeles. She says, “I was also fascinated by the LA music scene, all the big touring acts seem to recruit in LA. It just seemed like the logical place to be and MI, the best launching pad.” Kelly is currently on a global tour with ex Gossip Star, Beth Ditto (Universal/Sony) where she has played on television shows including The Late Late Show With James Corden and Later With Jools Holland, toured the USA and Europe numerous times.
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In between tours, Kelly is in the studio working on her first release as an artist and songwriter, whilst also developing and managing the careers of several all-female bands as part of her Management Company, “The Girl Group Collective.” As for her favorite moments while studying at MI, Kelly says, “I think the best thing about MI was the open counsels, where you could go into practice room and ask the amazing faculty members any questions you like in such a relaxed environment. I learnt so much from the staff and other pupils in those sessions. It definitely really opened up my knowledge of the guitar and improved my technique in a really intensive environment.”