Francis Atkins is a fiery and passionate Australian musician. His steadily flourishing career as a pianist has seen him onstage in music festivals and recitals in Japan and throughout Australia.
With a penchant for diversity and eclecticism, Francis is often found either programming the strangest repertoire for a recital or searching for a new skill for his pianistic toolbelt. He is equally at home as concerto soloist, chamber musician, and repetiteur.
2023 saw Francis take to the international and domestic stages with force, featuring in chamber music performances in Japan, and homegrown performances in the Brisbane Music Festival, Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival, Voxalis Opera, and as a concerto soloist with the Brisbane Concert Orchestra.
As a competitor, recent years have seen Francis snatch up first place in the Basil Jones Sonata Prize, the Hilda Woolmer competition for collaborative piano, and the Minnie May Bussey competition for solo piano. He was also recently awarded the repetiteur scholarship in the prestigious Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program.
In 2024, Francis commences his studies at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) under the direction of esteemed Australian pianist Timothy Young. Driven by the fear of ever having to specialise, Francis seeks to be ever curious about all genres and aspects of music during his studies at ANAM, and to establish himself as a diverse musical force in the Australian music scene.
As a regular human being, Francis hails from the beach town of Byron Bay on the north coast of NSW. He often forgets to water his houseplants but loves swimming in the ocean and a dry prosecco.
FROM: Sydney, NSW. Lands of the Gadigal people.
Francis is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Elizabeth Butcher AM, Sieglind D'Arcy, Mark Debeljak and Daniel Lehrer, Andrea Goldsmith, Mike and Jane Hall, Hilary Newman.
Photo by Pia Johnson