Born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa, Kiersten's musical journey began early under the mentorship of Joel Foreman at Solon High School, where she discovered her deep passion for music. This led her to pursue further education at Central College in Pella, Iowa, where she studied under Gabriel Espinosa, before transferring to The School for Music Vocations at Southwestern Community College. At SMV, Kiersten was mentored by Dr. Jeremy Fox, Tobi Crawford, and Dr. Tyler Thomas, expanding her skills across a wide range of musical disciplines. From jazz and classical piano to voice, bass, drums, guitar, songwriting, and production, she developed into a multi-faceted musician capable of mastering multiple instruments and genres.

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During her time at SMV, Kiersten immersed herself in several musical ensembles. She performed with the jazz choirs “Audio Radiance” and “First Take,” as well as the Pop Ensemble and the singer-songwriter group "Multiplicity." As a drummer for the instrumental jazz ensemble “Townline Septet,” she honed her rhythmic skills, while also producing and recording her own original work in the studio. Her ability to blend creative and technical aspects of music made her a standout at SMV, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Professional Music.

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Kiersten's performance career quickly took off, and she has since graced some of the most renowned venues in the Midwest, including Noce Jazz Club and Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines, as well as the iconic Iowa City Jazz Festival. In 2024, her talents were showcased at the prestigious Rochester International Jazz Festival, where she performed alongside Liala Biali, and at the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference in New Orleans. These performances, along with her collaborations and studio work, demonstrate her growing influence in the jazz world.

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Throughout her career, Kiersten has earned significant recognition for her vocal abilities and original compositions. She is a three-time recipient of DownBeat Student Music Awards, receiving accolades in the "Vocal Jazz Soloist" category in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Her original composition “Black-Eyed Susan” was also recognized in the “Original Composition” category in 2024. In 2025, as a member of the Eastman Jazz Voice ensemble, she contributed to the group’s national recognition in the Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble category, and was individually honored as an Outstanding Soloist for her performance on "'Round Midnight."

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In July of 2024, Kiersten released her debut single, “Black-Eyed Susan,” which was met with critical acclaim. Later that year, she followed up with the release of her first full album, Prescribed Burn: The Voice Memo Archives, which dropped in November 2024. These releases highlight Kiersten’s ability to fuse jazz with personal storytelling, showcasing her innovative approach to both songwriting and performance.

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In 2024–2025, Kiersten studied jazz voice at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, under the mentorship of Grammy Award-winning artist Sara Gazarek. In the fall of 2025, she will continue her education at the University of North Texas, studying under acclaimed jazz vocalists Rosana Eckert and Jennifer Barnes.

Her music reflects her dedication to growth as an artist and her passion for pushing the boundaries of jazz, ensuring that her creative voice remains a strong presence within the contemporary music scene.