EDUCATION

Ryan Francis

Youth Works Fellow, 2006-07
Wet Ink Fellow, 2007-08

Composer Ryan Anthony Francis’s (b. 1981) compositions have been met with audience and critical acclaim throughout the United States and France. His works have been variously described as “sweeping” and “exceptional” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), “compelling” (Los Angeles Times) and “shimmering”, “focused” and “rhythmically sharp-edged” (New York Times).

Mr. Francis has received commissions from the New York Youth Symphony, the New Juilliard Ensemble, members of the Fireborne Trio and the FearNoMusic ensemble, and his works have been performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center. In 2005 he received the Juilliard School’s top compositional honor, the Palmer-Dixon Prize, as well as the prestigious Charles Ives scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Most recently the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble commissioned a new work for their 2007 season.

Mr. Francis is currently a C.V. Starr Doctoral Fellow and student of Robert Beaser at the Juilliard School, where he also received his M.M. in composition. He also holds a B.M. in composition from the University of Michigan. His other teachers have included Bright Sheng, George Tsontakis, Steven Stucky, Susan Botti, Erik Santos and Evan Chambers. A native of Portland, Oregon, Mr. Francis now resides in Manhattan.

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