KARI FRANCIS Brooklyn, NY | (805) 218-6955 | [email protected] | www.karifrancis.com EDUCATION Teachers College Columbia University Master of Education, Music and Music Education 2017 – 2018 Research Assistant, Bronx Arts Ensemble Arts Standards Consultation Eastman School of Music Master of Arts, Music Education (Vocal/General) 2013 – 2015 Initial K-12 New York State Teaching Certification Training Arts Leadership Program (ALP) Certificate Music Education Audition Testing Assistant Music Education Sophomore Qualifications Review Teaching Assistant University Women’s Chorus Teaching Assistant University of California San Diego Bachelor of Arts, Music (Theory & Composition) cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa 2007 – 2011 Study abroad at Sophia University (Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan) Minor: Japanese Studies AREAS OF SCHOLARLY INTEREST Choral & General Music Education Popular Music & Commercial Music Teaching Artistry Collaborative & Project-Based Learning COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE The College of Saint Rose, Albany NY Visiting Instructor of Choral Music – Full Time Fall 2019 – Teaching responsibilities include formulating curricula, lectures, and formative/summative assessments for courses in aural skills, music theory, choral arranging. Directing includes selecting repertoire, rehearsing, and directing the Masterworks Chorale ensemble (70-90 undergraduate singers from various academic concentrations). Utilized Canvas, Zoom, Noteflight, Logic Pro X, Youtube, and other technologies to continue instruction and administer assessments across classes and ensembles during COVID-19 shutdown. CUNY Hunter College, New York NY Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty Adviser – Part-Time 2016 – 2018 Music director and instructor of “The Art of A Cappella” (MUSPF 362.04). Responsible for arranging, rehearsing, and coordinating performances of unaccompanied music in the contemporary a cappella style. Lectured on topics such as performance, vocal percussion, and arranging; responsible for creating assignments and performance opportunities to assess student aptitude and achievement. Faculty advisor, arranger, and performance coach for Hawkappella student a cappella group. TEACHING ARTIST EXPERIENCE The Center for Arts Education, New York NY Vocal/Choral Teaching Artist – Part-Time 2018 – 2019 Work with cooperating teachers to develop interdisciplinary daytime and afterschool music programs. Residencies include authoring curricula, aligning lessons to state and national arts standards, and producing performances. KARI FRANCIS 2 Midori & Friends, New York NY Vocal/Choral Teaching Artist – Part-Time 2016 – 2019 Music director and instructor of choral programs in various K-12 New York City public school settings. Responsible for creating and implementing theory/musicianship curricula, acquiring and/or creating repertoire, assessing student progress, and collaborating with school officials and Midori & Friends staff to coordinate performances. Teachers College Community School, New York NY 1st Grade General Music Teacher – Part-Time 2017 – 2018 Responsible for creating and implementing developmentally appropriate, student-centered lessons in sound, music, movement, and singing in weekly, 45-minute classes for twenty-five 1st grade students. Eastman Community Music School, Rochester NY Instructor – Part-Time 2014 – 2015 Led “Theory in Motion” classes for students age 8-10. Focused on building aural skills, music literacy, and musicianship through synthesis of Kodàly, Orff, Dalcroze, and Gordon Music Learning Theory philosophies. DIRECTORSHIPS New School Chorus, Mannes School of Music (The New School), New York NY Director – Part-Time Winter 2019 Large ensemble comprising undergraduate and graduate students in the Mannes School of Music at The New School as well as non-major and community members. Responsible for selecting and teaching repertoire representing a variety of styles, time periods, and languages, while also instructing singers of varying musical backgrounds in appropriate vocal and choral technique. Sirens of Gotham, New York NY Associate Artistic Director – Part-Time 2018 – 2019 Semi-professional women’s chorus specializing in barbershop, contemporary a cappella, and classical genres. Responsible teaching repertoire with the aim of enhancing vocal production, core ensemble sound, and musicianship skills. Winner, 2018 Harmony Classic at Sweet Adelines International 71st Annual Convention. Camp A Cappella, Columbus OH & Remix Vocal Academy, Provo UT Ensemble Director, Workshop Instructor – Part-Time 2013 – 2018 Contemporary a cappella vocal performance summer camp. Direct ensembles of students ages 12-18 in learning vocal arrangements and building basic musicianship and performance skills. Lead workshops on introductory musicianship/theory and vocal percussion. June/July 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. USDAN Summer Camp for the Arts, Wheatley Heights NY Junior Chorus Director – Part-Time Summer 2017 Directed multiple youth choruses of students in grades 3-7. Implemented performance-based musicianship activities combining elements from Dalcroze, Music Learning Theory, and Kodaly methodologies. Selected age-appropriate repertoire for culminating concerts. Coordinated with three members of International Contemporary Ensemble to premiere a work developed in collaboration with chorus members (“Flower Machine”). Amadeus Chorale Children’s Choir, Victor NY Assistant Conductor – Part-Time Fall 2014 Planned and lead rehearsals, conduct public performances. Rehearsal strategy focused on concert preparation and developing music literacy. OTHER TEACHING EXPERIENCE Young People’s Chorus of New York City, New York NY Conducting Fellow – Full-Time 2015 – 2016 KARI FRANCIS 3 Assistant to core program conductors, primary conductor of elementary and high school choirs at partner public schools in New York City and community chorus at Goddard Riverside Community Center. Developed and implemented performance-based curriculum incorporating Kodàly teaching methodology. Communicated with artistic staff, communicated with school liaisons, and assisted with administrative duties associated with choruses. True North Rochester Prep, Rochester NY & Webster Thomas High School, Webster NY Student Teacher – Full-Time Spring 2015 Collaborated with cooperating teacher to assist with planning and teaching general music classes in compliance with curriculum and school policy. Contemporary A Cappella Society of America Education Assistant – Part-Time 2010 – 2013 Assisted educational officer with festivals and events. Helped design and implement curricula for festivals of national and international draw. Coordinated instructor and clinician information. Assisted Director of Education as needed. Various Music Festivals Workshop Instructor, Clinician, Contest Judge (Event-specific) 2009 – Lead workshops and classes at regional and international festivals with primary focus on vocal arranging, vocal percussion, and creative rehearsal strategies. Direct coaching sessions with attending ensembles. Assign ratings and feedback to competing groups according to provided rubrics. AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS Fellow, BeSpoken Spring/Summer 2020 Florence K. Geffen Scholarship, Teachers College Columbia University Fall 2018 Teachers College Scholarship, Teachers College Columbia University Spring 2017 Conducting Fellow, Young People’s Chorus of New York City 2015-2016 Teaching Assistantship, Women’s Chorus, Eastman School of Music 2013-2014 Graduate Award, Sophomore Review, Eastman School of Music 2013-2014 Music Educator Scholarship, Barbershop Harmony Society Summer 2014 Phi Beta Kappa, University of California, San Diego 2008 Provost’s Honors, University of California, San Diego COMMITTEES American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Eastern Division Contemporary/Commercial Repertoire and Resources Chair 2019 Oversees, programs, and directs conference reading sessions showcasing CCM repertoire; provides and recommends video, audio, and print information for choral directors and educators interested in pop, jazz, folk, and musical arrangements and teaching techniques for vocal and choral groups. PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS Chapters Teaching Music Through Performance in Contemporary A Cappella (GIA Music) July 2020 Approx. 3600 words in the form of three “repertoire guides” for popular a cappella arrangements. Written for music educators and choral directors. “Vocal percussion for everyone” from So you want to sing a cappella? (Rowman & Littlefield) November 2017 Approx. 6500 words detailing history, basic techniques, and theory concerning beatboxing and vocal percussion in ensemble settings. Collected and synthesized accounts, commentary, and critiques from experts in the field. Written for music educators and emerging practitioners. Master’s Thesis “A cappella dynamics: High school music teachers’ perceptions of teaching contemporary a cappella in school music settings” (Master’s Thesis) Spring 2015 KARI FRANCIS 4 Survey of contemporary a cappella repertoire and teaching methods in schools. Accompanied by historical summary, data analysis, and critical commentary of results. Field project report submitted for completion of Master of Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music. RECENT PRESENTATIONS & APPEARANCES College Music Society National Conference (Online) Workshop Presenter October 2020 Will present 50-minute interactive workshop, “Creativity Through Contemporary A Cappella: Informal, Collaborative, Generative Practice in Choral Settings.” International Society for Music Education World Conference