Private lessons with Cari Lynn York

Cari Lynn York, a private piano/ vocal teacher for over 25 years, received a music scholarship from Brigham Young University, where she studied 4 years majoring in piano pedagogy. She took private vocal lessons from a variety of university instructors and various vocal styles through Seth Riggs, Ken Tamplin, and Singing Success programs. Cari also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Recording Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University, where she received an ASCAP songwriting scholarship.

After living in Nashville for 11 years, she enjoyed performing in singer songwriter showcases at venues like the Opryland Hotel, Broken Spoke, Acuff Theater, Boardwalk Cafe, and Marina’s Cafe, to name a few. She continues to pursue her interests in songwriting and enjoys writing with a variety of hit songwriters and recording studios on Music Row/ Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and Gallatin TN. Cari has written songs with hit songwriters: Don Goodman, Jeffrey Pearson, and Corey Lee Barker. She Is currently working with producer Chip Hardy, former VP of Hamstein Music and A&R at MCA records who has worked with artists: Reba McIntyre, Charley Pride, Barbara Mandrell, Waylon Jennings, Oak Ridge Boys, and George Straight.

Her songs can be downloaded from her website: Carilynnyork.com, iTunes, Amazon; and CD Baby. Cari also enjoyed working in the music industry at the Nashville Songwriters Association International and EMI Christian Music Group. She is currently a member of BMI, TAXI, NSAI, Songsalive, and the Inspirational Country Music Association.

Cari is a member of SongU.com and has been fortunate to have mentor songwriting sessions this year with hit songwriters: Jason Blume, Sue Ennis, Michelle Belle, Craig Bickhardt, Sara Light, Lisa Palas, Gina Boe, Helen Darling, Alan Roy Scott, and Michele Vice-Maslin. Additional songwriting mentors that have been a positive support of her songwriting are: Vip Vipperman, Pete Luboff, Cole Wright, Dallas Gregory, and Bob Delaposta.

Cari was a recent finalist in a songwriting competition at the Hawaii Songwriting Festival. She has written over 100 songs, and recorded over 50. Her songs have been picked up by 5 publishers,10 song-pluggers, and songs have been recently pitched to Lady Antebellum, LeeAnn Womack, and Trick Pony.

She performed recently at the LAX Westin, Los Angeles at the Taxi Road Rally and at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in Hawaii. Cari has a home recording studio that is available to her students who are interested in recording projects.

She has always taught private voice and piano lessons alongside of pursuing her music goals. “I love to see how music can uplift and inspire students. Music is not only physically, intellectually, emotionally stimulating, but it can bring self-confidence, peace, and contentment to one’s soul, and add spice to life.” Cari’s greatest satisfaction as a teacher is to see students making honorable efforts to learn and progress, making music a priority in their lives, and then see them reap the benefits and rewards of their hard work.

As a teacher Cari thinks it’s important to bring a well-rounded approach to lessons. She teaches a variety of different styles: Classical, jazz, blues, country, gospel, pop, adult contemporary, etc.

She also tries to teach the student a variety of skills including theory, ear training, technique, composition, improvisation, sight-reading, practicing, and performing methods. Cari, feels it is important to not only learn the basic fundamental skills of music, but for the student to sing and play the types of music they really enjoy.