In 2006, Nellie won a Theatre World Award for her portrayal of Polly Peachum in the Broadway production of THE THREEPENNY OPERA.

Featured in the Richard LaGravenese film PS I LOVE YOU, Nellie sings and plays the role of Ciara, Hilary Swank's younger sister, and performs standards and original music for the Rob Reiner movie RUMOR HAS IT.

Nellie has written the music and lyrics for the film adaptation of Katherine Arnoldi's THE AMAZING TRUE STORY OF A TEENAGE SINGLE MOM, and is currently creating the Broadway musical version of the book and movie ELECTION.

She is slated to star in the David Grubin film RUSSIAN BLUE opposite violin prodigy Phillipe Quint (currently in pre-production).

Nellie has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and on numerous national television and radio shows, opened for Bo Diddley and Sting, dueted with Eartha Kitt, Trey Anastasio and Taj Mahal, interviewed Doris Day, and shared the stage with Odetta, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello and other notables in aid of various progressive pursuits.

In addition to performing, Nellie has contributed reviews to THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW and THE ONION.

She has released four critically acclaimed albums:

NORMAL AS BLUEBERRY PIE-A TRIBUTE TO DORIS DAY topped 2009 BEST OF LISTS: VILLAGE VOICE JAZZ CRITICS POLL

ROBERT CHRISTGAU's DEAN'S LIST

NEW YORK TIMES

"Ms. McKay, whose voice is blithe and supple, is a Doris Day fan, but a knowing one, well aware of the distance from Ms. Day's era to ours. There's yearning, wryness, and ingenuity in her arrangements."

NEW YORK TIMES

"This ranks among the killer overhauls of American standards, with sharply original arrangements mostly by the singer-pianist-ukulelist herself."

NEW YORK TIMES

OBLIGATORY VILLAGERS -

"..a brisk nine-song set that plays like the breathless first act of a stage musical decrying American fascism..."

SPIN

PRETTY LITTLE HEAD

"panoramic vision" LA TIMES "dazzling range" ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

GET AWAY FROM ME -

topped Best of Year lists in ROLLING STONE, LA TIMES, USA TODAY, THE ONION and the VILLAGE VOICE

A recipient of The Humane Society's 2005 Doris Day Music Award for her dedication to animal rights, Nellie has also participated in benefits ranging from Planned Parenthood and Fair Fund to the ACLU and Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. In addition, she has been active in supporting get-out-the-vote efforts, the campaign to close primate laboratories, and working to ban carriage horses across the country.