Dubbed “the next generation of a cappella specialist” by Pitch Perfect vocal producer Deke Sharon, Kari Francis is an avid vocalist, arranger, and choral music educator. She has shared the stage with Taylor Swift, Imogen Heap, and competed on Season 3 of NBC’s The Sing-Off with Kinfolk 9. Kari was additionally featured as a vocal percussionist as part of Total Vocal 2018 in Alice Tully Hall, and co-directed the Sirens of Gotham chorus to a first-place win at the Sweet Adelines International 2019 Harmony Classic. She is currently a visiting instructor of choral music at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, and has taught at Mannes School of Music, CUNY Hunter College, Teachers College Columbia University, and as a teaching artist in numerous New York City public schools. Recent publications include commentary in Teaching Music Through Performance in Contemporary A Cappella (GIA Music) and the chapter “Vocal Percussion for Everyone” in So You Want to Sing A Cappella: A Guide for Performers published by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Kari is an active lecturer and clinician and frequently leads workshops on arranging, vocal percussion, and vocal painting improvisation at music festivals and vocal camps across the States.

Kari holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Teachers College Columbia University, and the University of California, San Diego. Her research interests include choral improvisation, collaborative learning, and popular music in the choral classroom.