Francis is a fiery and passionate Australian musician currently in this third year at ANAM, studying under Timothy Young.
Driven by the fear of ever having to specialise, Francis was allured by ANAM’s mission to support pianists with multifaceted skillsets and seeks to establish a career in Australia as a collaborative pianist.
During his time at ANAM thus far, Francis was thrilled to discover newfound loves in contemporary Australian piano music, and baroque harpsichord music. Of the former, he enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside Brett Dean and Michael Kieran Harvey in performances of their solo works.
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. On the competition circuit, Francis snatched 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 awarded the répétiteur scholarship in the prestigious Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program.
Francis completed Bachelor and Master Degrees from Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and was proud to study under Natasha Vlassenko OAM. He has also been privileged to take lessons and masterclasses from titans in the piano world, including Jayson Gillham, Massimiliano Ferrati, Paavali Jumppanen, Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy, Kirill Gerstein, Roy Howat, and Michael Kieran Harvey.
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 good Tempranillo.
FROM: NSW. Lands of the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung Nation.
Francis is supported by ANAM Syndicate donors Elizabeth Butcher AM, Sieglind D'Arcy, Mark Debeljak and Daniel Lehrer, Andrea Goldsmith, Mike and Jane Hall, Neil and Hunter Moore, Hilary Newman, Margaret and Ralph Plarre OAM.
Photo by Pia Johnson