About Marilee
Marilee Kay is a singer, songwriter, and arranger based in Layton, Utah, and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With a background in music, stage performance, and teaching, she now writes and arranges Christian hymns and songs that build faith.
Music has been part of her life since childhood — from early piano lessons and singing groups to years of performing, teaching, and directing. Today, she channels that experience into writing and arranging music that speaks to faith, family, and the moments that matter most.
Mission
Marilee hopes her music helps people draw nearer to God — whether it's sung in a worship service, played quietly at home, or performed by an ensemble for a special event. Her goal is to create arrangements and songs that are both meaningful and playable — written for performers from early intermediate through early advanced skill levels.
Musical Background
Marilee's musical journey began in childhood with a love for singing and community theater, and grew through formal training in piano pedagogy at Utah State University. Over the years, she has:
- Taught piano, voice, and group lessons
- Performed professionally in musical theater, including roles at Tuacahn's amphitheater and performing arts high school
- Directed a youth singing group and accompanied a community choir
- Written and published original music and instructional piano materials, including the Complete Pianist Workbook series
The Inspiration Behind the Music
In 2014, two of Marilee's three children — Eli and Evan — were diagnosed with GM1 Gangliosidosis, a genetic degenerative disease. Beginning around 2016, she found her way back to writing and arranging music as a way to cope with her new reality, share her experiences and testimony, and hold onto her faith through profound grief. One of these songs, "Sweet Angels," was published in 2016 as a fundraiser for the Cure GM1 Foundation, where Marilee also served as a board member for two years.
Marilee's sons Eli and Evan passed away from GM1 in 2020 and 2022. Her youngest son, Lucas, born in 2020, also has GM1 — making this a journey the family continues to live every day.
Today
Marilee now lives in Layton, Utah, where she continues writing and arranging LDS music for soloists, families, and choirs — drawing from public domain hymns and her own original songs. Her sheet music is available as instant PDF downloads, and she shares her arrangements on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.