Boston local and saxophone prodigy, Grace Kelly, is only getting started

As a young girl, Brookline musician Grace Kelly dreamed of being Hollywood actress turned princess of the same name, Grace Kelly.

The saxophonist told Under the Radar how movies have long inspired her musically: "Movies have always taken me into this other reality, and I think music is similar in that when you see amazing musicians on stage, working together, creating this amazing moment that gives that emotional release, like 'oh, this is just beautiful,' and I feel that way when I'm making music."

The talented musician grew up to make a name for herself as a performer, playing alongside saxophone legend Phil Woods and as a soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra at just 14. At 16, she performed at President Obama's 2009 inauguration.

But professional musicians took note of her skill when she was only in middle school: "Back when I was starting professionally at 13 I didn't even know that could be a job ... I have had such incredible mentors ... starting with my first saxophone teacher who invited me to play at his jam session when I was 12-years-old, and I had never done that before."

Now, at 30, the prodigy is showcasing her love for the movies in the East Coast premiere of a special concert: ‘At the Movies: Grace Kelly with Strings' featuring a 15-piece ensemble at the Berklee Performance Center on April 29.

GUEST

Grace Kelly, saxophonist, singer, songwriter, band leader, co-leader of the band 2saxy and composer of Under the Radar’s theme music