Features : Rising Vocalist Kelsey Dodd Delivers Timeless Holiday Nostalgia on Debut EP Forever Evergreen

Saratoga Springs, NY — At just 18 years old, Kelsey Dodd is introducing herself to the world with a debut project rooted in memory, tradition, and emotional honesty. Her five-track holiday EP, Forever Evergreen, released November 15, 2024, blends reimagined Christmas classics with an original title track, “Forever Evergreen,” offering listeners a warm, vintage-inspired soundtrack designed to reconnect them with the magic of their childhood holidays.

Dodd’s connection to music began early. By age five, she was already drawn to rhythm and melody, plunking notes on a toy piano and absorbing music intuitively. A defining moment came when she attended a touring production of The Phantom of the Opera. Though complex, the story resonated deeply with her. “I was crying at the end and explaining the whole plot to my parents,” she recalls. “That’s when I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

That lifelong dedication shines throughout Forever Evergreen. Drawing from her background in pop, jazz, classical music, and musical theater, Dodd intentionally recorded the EP with live musicians from New York’s Capital Region. Every instrument was played live, reinforcing the project’s organic, nostalgic tone. Influenced by legendary vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, and Judy Garland, Dodd studied classic vocal phrasing and warmth to help shape her own expressive delivery.

Originally envisioned as a collection of holiday standards, the EP evolved into something more personal when Dodd and producer Cassandra Kubinski began writing “Forever Evergreen.” Inspired by shared childhood memories, the song reflects moments like picking out a Christmas tree, sitting by the fire, and remembering loved ones both present and gone. The track also carries special meaning following the passing of producer Joel Moss in September, whose creative spirit remains woven into the project.

While “Forever Evergreen” anchors the EP emotionally, the remaining tracks showcase Dodd’s musical evolution. A traditional arrangement of “O Holy Night,” featuring organ and a single vocal line, nods to her church memories, while jazz-inflected selections like “Let It Snow” reflect her growing love for classic jazz as she matured. Each arrangement was carefully crafted to evoke the feeling of listening to an old record—clean, intentional, and timeless.

Currently studying musical theater at the Boston Conservatory, Dodd continues to refine her artistry while writing at the piano and preparing future releases. As she looks ahead, she hopes listeners take one message from Forever Evergreen: childhood memories never fade. “Even when the magic feels distant,” she says, “those moments stay alive as long as we hold them close.”

About Kelsey Dodd

Kelsey Dodd is an 18-year-old singer and performer based in Saratoga Springs, New York. Immersed in music since the age of five, she has trained in a variety of genres, including pop, jazz, classical music, and musical theater, while learning to play piano, ukulele, and guitar. Her debut EP, Forever Evergreen, which is receiving promotional support from Starlight PR, is a nostalgic holiday collection featuring four reimagined Christmas classics and one original song co-written with Cassandra Kubinski. Through her music, Dodd celebrates authenticity, family, tradition, and emotional storytelling, inviting listeners to reconnect with their roots and cherished memories.

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Spotify—Forever Evergreen EP