Biography
Job title: Head of School of Popular Music and Voice
Specialisms: Voice, jazz composition
Kari is an acclaimed vocalist and composer, originally from Norway, but now residing in Yorkshire. She grew up in a creative family where the pursuit of music was encouraged from an early age, and she started working as a professional musician in her teens.
As a vocalist, Kari has toured extensively for over 20 years and performed at many major venues and festivals both in the UK and internationally. Projects and collaborations, such as Røyst Trio, Sonic Stories, Metamorphic and Tommy Evans Orchestra among many others, have spanned many genres including jazz, pop, world music and avantgarde. She has released and contributed to several albums released on labels in the UK, Norway and Australia. In 2012 she received the award ‘Vocalist of the Year’ by Jazz Yorkshire.
In 2018 the music video released by Røyst Trio was nominated for multiple international awards, and won the Best Music Video Category at the Independent Talents International Film Festival. This featured her composition ‘The Quiet Beauty.’
She has been teaching at Leeds Conservatoire since 2002, working with students across all levels and a range of courses. Kari has been Programme Leader for the Foundation Year for the last 12 years.
She is a graduate of Leeds Conservatoire and Royal Northern College of Music, and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She continues to pursue opportunities to expand her knowledge, most recently completing a qualification in Vocal Health First Aid in 2022.
