SALT LAKE CITY – A group of Brigham Young University (BYU) students recently had the unique opportunity to work alongside Grammy-winning musician Mark Lettieri, an acclaimed guitarist known for his work with Snarky Puppy, The Fearless Flyers, and his own Mark Lettieri Group.
For three days, Lettieri joined five Commercial Music students—Michelle Cheuk, Carson Ripley, Kevin West, Kieran Hellum, and Hanna Eyre—in an intense studio collaboration focused on creating something original and meaningful.
A Creative Journey in Music
Rather than taking charge of the process, Lettieri made it clear he wanted to work as an equal collaborator.
“I didn’t want to walk in with a pre-written song and dictate the direction,” he explained. “My goal was to ensure each person’s voice was reflected in the composition.”
Despite the challenge of writing and recording a song in just 24 hours—something that often takes weeks or even years—the group pulled it off.
A Song About Communication
The result of their collaboration was “Two Worlds, One City,” a soulful pop track exploring themes of miscommunication in relationships.
“It’s about two people struggling to express what they really feel,” Eyre explained. “One person is saying, ‘If you’re willing to put in the effort, so am I—let’s figure this out together.’”
Lettieri praised the song’s strong melody and infectious chorus, noting that it had stuck in his head long after the session ended.
A Memorable Experience
Reflecting on his time at BYU, Lettieri expressed admiration for the students’ dedication and teamwork.
“I’m honestly amazed by their talent and how well they collaborated,” he said. “This could have been chaotic, but instead, it was an incredible success.”
Although the project was short-lived, Lettieri admitted he was reluctant to leave, inspired by the students’ passion and creativity.
Fans can now listen to “Two Worlds, One City” and watch the official music video online .
