"I've played Mapex ever since I had a choice, and I still choose them because they're a great product, affordable and have always been innovating. I love representing products that represent me - Mapex is fun! They sound great and look great and I'm all about simplicity - PLAY MORE!"
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri - Kelsey (K.C.) Cook has been playing the drums since she was 10 years young.
Before discovering her 'chops' on the drums, Kelsey learned how to 'Speed Cup Stack’ in Elementary School. She was the ‘Missouri Speed Cup Stacking Champion’ and found that her quick hand-eye coordination was going to propel her into a successful music career!
Known to her fans as ‘K.C. from KC,’ she continues to pursue her love for music around the world.
K.C. has a Music Degree in Percussion Performance from Washburn University and has attended the Summer Shot Program at Musicians Institute in L.A. - College of Contemporary Music.
She has had a variety of opportunities during her music career. In 2013, she was in the top three and represented the United States in the Worldwide Video Submission of the 'Hit Like a Girl’ contest. From 2013-2015, she performed on the drumline as a snare drummer with the 'NFL Kansas City Chiefs Rumble.' Also during those years, she performed with several bands and went on tour around the country.
Kelsey has also had many opportunities to give back to her community. She has taught in percussion programs at schools around the Missouri area and participated as a teacher at Base Academy of Music in Kansas City, Missouri - "a non-profit music organization who makes starting to learn a musical instrument accessible and affordable for urban youth because we believe music education is a reason and means to succeed." (to learn more or participate in this organization visit http://www.bamkc.org) She has also worked with Mapex to put on drum clinics at local drum shops around the Midwest with drum set and marching snare performances promoting education.
K.C moved to Nashville in 2015 and it broadened her music career. Now working as a full time musician, K.C. plays drums for several local music artists in and out of town. In 2017, she toured with Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter, Brandy Clark - opening for Miranda Lambert in Canada, along with playing sold out shows in several areas across the United States.
From the Honky Tonks of downtown Broadway Street, to theater performances at the historical Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry, K.C. has enjoyed performing within the diverse music culture that Nashville has to offer.
In 2022, Kelsey played showcases at SXSW in Austin, TX and toured the Coasts opening for Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter - Hall of Fame Guitarist for Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers.
From October-December 2022, K.C. was a contestant on a new reality show called BANDED - The Musician Competition. She got the opportunity to write, record and perform original songs with members of her band (MONOKHROMATIX) and their songwriting mentor, Steve Diamond. (Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, etc.)
There's no place like home! K.C. is now back in Kansas City and playing with bands and artists, such as LOST WAX, the Danielle Nicole Band and Brandon Miller, traveling around the world, giving many reasons for people to go out and invest in the wonderful world of live music performance!
