Music proved to be an important lifeline for ANAM pianist, Francis Atkins (NSW, piano) as he was growing up on the far-north coast of NSW, in Byron Bay.
“Being isolated in a regional town meant that there were less opportunities for me to take part in ensemble playing,” he says. “I played trumpet and trombone in the annual regional music camps and youth orchestras, but there was something magical about being able to create polyphonic textures and harmonies all by myself at the piano. This really began my love of music.”
Francis Atkins performing at Andrea Goldsmith's book launch at the Abbotsford Convent earlier this year
After graduating from Brisbane’s Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, Francis relocated to Melbourne to participate in ANAM’s performance program. The experience has been transformational.
“It felt like a real fresh start, in a new city, a new environment with new friends. I remember telling one of my friends that I have not felt this much joy in a long time.”
Writer Andrea Goldsmith has supported Francis at ANAM through the Syndicate Program. Donors to the Syndicate Program pool their money together to support musicians studying at ANAM.
“The approach just makes sense to me,” Andrea says. “There are few people who can give $10,000 each, but many more of us can give $1,000. I also didn’t realise at the time I signed up that I would be getting so much back.”
As well as financial support, Andrea has hosted Francis and his partner, fellow ANAM musician, Emma John for meals at her home, and they have discussed their respective artistic practices.
“Andrea is really invested in getting to know us as people as well as musicians,” Francis says. He notes that she was a valued sounding board when he struggled to get to grips with playing Brett Dean’s Faustian Pact (Hommage à Liszt).
“We bonded over my suffering in playing this piece of music, where I almost felt I had to sell my soul to the devil just to be able to play all the notes,” Francis says. “It was an intense experience trying to really capture the grotesque nature of the music and evoke this descent into madness. There was a lot of inspiration shared between us.”
For her part, Andrea says Francis is “a delightful man and superb pianist. Francis playing Rachmaninoff just rocks your socks off. It’s fantastic.”
Andrea has supported several musicians through ANAM’s Syndicate Program and says she feels privileged to have done so.
“It’s wonderful to be exposed to young people who are exceptional at what they do. ANAM treats these young musicians as serious performers. They work really, really hard and the young musicians value that. If you want to have a solo or small group career, there is no better place to be.”
For Francis, the financial support has enabled him to focus entirely on becoming the best musician he can be. “It’s such a unique opportunity at ANAM, to not have to worry about trying to get a day job. It’s unique - no other place in Australia offers this.”