She cites these years as pivotal to her artistic development, learning sheet music, jazz theory and improvisation. Kaelar was in multiple bands in high school, playing grindcore, metalcore, screamo, post-hardcore, and power metal before joining her school's Jazz band for two years. Kaelar developed perfect pitch when playing the keyboard at age fourteen. At the age of 11, Varien began playing the guitar and attempting songwriting, and she joined a number of bands experimenting with genres of rock, grindcore, metalcore, and jazz. She had a connection to music from a very young age, and her family supported her passion. 2.2 2014–16: The Ancient & Arcane and My Prayers Have Become Ghosts.
