CHICAGO — Violin, guitar, piano, cello, the Kelly family can play them all.
The 17 member Chicago family has turned to music to make their lives and their community a little better.
The nine kids still living in their West Garfield Park home are kept on a strict morning schedule, starting with the physical workout – a 5 a.m. crossfit workout organized by dad, Jonathan – before moving to the music.
Each and everyone of the Kelly’s 15 children play musical instruments. The kids range in age from 8 to 33. The oldest six have moved out.
The family live in tight quarters with three bedrooms and one and a half baths.
Every inch of space is often filled with music.
They all started with piano around 2-year- old. Several play multiple instruments and take private and community lessons weekly.
Music and family time each morning before class with Chicago Virtual School- or home schooling.
It has not been easy for parents Lashone and Jonathan. He was seriously injured on his telecommunications job and isn’t working. But through tough times, they say music always made it better.
Not only are neighbors often treated to musical selections first thing in the morning, much of Chicago is as well as the kids often do street performances through the end of September to help pay for their music lessons.
