From Acting to Music: Erin Lee Kelly Helps Kids “Find Their Voice”

So, what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
I came to NYC from Kingston, Ontario with a scholarship to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Back then, if you got an acting job within 6 months of graduating, you could stay in America. I got an acting job in six days. I fell in love with the city, and I stayed. 

What was your first job? What do you do now?
Touring with the Emmy Award-winning Theatre Rehabilitation for Youth. We played two shows a day, five days a week, in drug rehab centers, alternative schools and high schools throughout the country. I looked very young and could pass for a child or a young teen. We did four shows in repertory, directed by and featuring Ken Berman, an actor, writer and director who often claimed “I started on Broadway at 10 — the only place to go was down!” His offstage antics and comic mishaps belied how dedicated he was to the craft, and how much he cared about truly helping teenagers. I realize now how much I learned from him, and how my own work with kids and teens was influenced by him. 

Now, rather than playing a kid, I work with them! I write music for and with kids. I perform family music concerts fronting “Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band”, and I coach children in music, theater and songwriting — in person and on zoom. You can see many of these fabulous kids on my YouTube Channel, “Erin Lee and Friends”, singing, telling stories, or demonstrating theater games. Everybody has a voice, and I love helping kids find theirs!

What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
Singing at Lincoln Center with my lovely neighbor Nat. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center hosted a tribute to 94-year-old choreographer, dancer, pioneer — and a girl’s best neighbor — Nat Horne. Somehow, I ended up on the production team booking performances from Broadway luminaries, coordinating recreations of choreography from the 1950’s with dancers from Alvin Ailey, and recording tributes from icons featured in pictures on my teenage bedroom wall. The look of joy on his face when it all came to fruition can’t be measured — it was pure bliss, and the room was just full of love.

Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
This big city transforms into a neighborhood when you hit Hell’s Kitchen. It’s old school, in the best sense. I’ve passed the pharmacist from Esco on the street and he’s said “You forgot to pick up your prescription, I’ll send it over”. A friend once called Bombay Grill from my home phone to place an order and they told her “Erin doesn’t like the spinach. Order something else.” I had to get on the phone myself to assure them it was okay, and to send spinach for my friend. I moved here in 1990 and I’ve never thought of living anywhere else in the city. My husband Philip and I spend so much time sitting on the stoop talking with our neighbors that we lose track of time — it’s heaven. 

What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
I never recognize ANYBODY. I think if someone looks familiar, they must be my neighbor. It helps a great deal working with NYC kids, because very often their parent is an A-list celebrity — but I think the reason they look familiar MUST be that they live in my building. It helps keep it all down to earth!

What else should we know about you?
That I can write a song about these questions faster and more easily than I can answer these questions! 

Erin Lee’s Favorite Hell’s Kitchen Places

Tulcingo Del Valle — 665 10th Ave (bw W46/47th St)
Irma truly cares about her customers and always serves up the best food and cocktails. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve sat down and mused aloud “which is the sauce I like…?” And she’ll lean over and remind me — she remembers. That’s a neighbor.

New World Stages — 340 West 50th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
Such a treasure to have in this neighborhood! There’s always a terrific assortment of fabulous shows to be seen at affordable prices. The staff is friendly and on top of things and always treats you well. I’ve recently had a knee injury and was truly appreciative when I got an email telling me the elevator was broken and to come early to the show I’d bought tickets for — they wanted to make sure all their patrons had ample time to safely get to their seats. They always do things the right way.

Neurosport Physical Therapy/NeuroTour — 780 8th Ave 
Speaking of knee injuries, the practitioners at Neurosport are simply the best — expert physical therapists who care very deeply about getting you back onstage and back into daily life. I am indebted to Rachael and Rachel whose skills have saved everything from my concerts to my vacations!

Manhattan Eyeworks — 709 9th Ave (bw W48/49th)
Marina is one of the small business owners that make this place a neighborhood. She turns what can be a stressful errand into a fun exchange. I’ve never just popped in and out — I end up loitering, talking about travel, politics, television, food… She treats you like family and makes sure you look good!

Delphinium Home — 353 W 47th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
When I send my father a present, he always asks “Is it from that good store?” Or he comments, “It’s very unique, it must be from that good store!” And yes, it invariably IS from “that good store”. Why go anywhere else?

El Rancho Burritos — 359 W 45th St (bw 8/9th Ave)
My favorite delivery place. I first started ordering from El Rancho in 1996 and they have never let me down. They are quick — they once told me my delivery would take 8 minutes and they were right! And their delivery men are the only people capable of working the wacky buzzer on my building’s front door — that’s right, delivery men. In these days of Uber and DoorDash I truly appreciate kind, familiar faces bringing delicious food in a timely fashion!

Pascual Fresh Flowers — 681 9th Avenue (corner of W47th St)
Pascual de la Rosa has been keeping the corner of 47th and 9th blooming and bright for years, and is such a welcome sight in our neighborhood. The flowers are fresh and fun, and there is always a great selection. I am proud to say that my husband bought me a plant there TWO YEARS AGO that I have managed to KEEP ALIVE — thanks to Pascual’s advice.

Landmark Tavern — 626 11th Avenue (corner of W46th St)
Michael Younge and Donnchadh O’Sullivan have always served up the best food, libations, music and ghostly history — all in one wonderful tavern! The one place I always bring out-of-town friends to, especially if they hit town on a Monday night in time for the weekly craic. 

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
I believe everybody has a voice and I love helping people find theirs. The world is full of incredible stories — we are blessed to pass them on.

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You can follow Erin Lee on Instagram at @erinleeandfriends and check out her YouTube channel. If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or you would like to nominate yourself), please fill in this form — w42st.info/WSSnominations.

You can check out more West Side Stories and reader recommendations on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Local App.