Francesca Hurst, piano
Francesca Hurst
Dynamic and engaging, pianist Francesca Hurst delights audiences with a mix of classical and contemporary music. Listeners have described her playing as “moving and compelling” and “powerful yet sensitive”. Classically trained, she fell into the new music scene in 2013, when a last-minute gig with Great Noise Ensemble turned into a decade-long engagement as their pianist. At ease with a wide range of repertoire, she makes sense of the music regardless of style and period, is passionate about communicating with audiences, and has a special interest in performing music by women.
As a new music pianist, Francesca has appeared as a solo and collaborative guest artist at festivals like the Atlantic Music Festival, New Music Delaware, New Music Gathering, Charlotte New Music Festival, New Music DC, and the Bang on a Can Music Marathon. Equally versatile in the classical repertoire, she has played in venues like the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery of Art, several embassies in Washington, DC, and internationally in Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, and France. During the pandemic, she created the 100-day online video series Daily Dose of Piano, which featured music from the Baroque to today, including 54 pieces by living composers and 14 premieres. She is on the Virginia Commission for the Arts Performing Artist Touring Roster, and just recorded her debut solo album featuring music of women composers which will be released soon.
An effective and innovative teacher, Francesca creates an inclusive and positive learning atmosphere where students feel welcomed, valued, and respected. She teaches applied piano and piano pedagogy at The Catholic University of America and applied piano at the University of Virginia, and maintains a thriving private piano studio in Northern Virginia. She is an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, and is often invited to judge competitions and teach master classes. She also teaches for MusicLink Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing quality music lessons for students with financial need. She holds a DMA, MM, and BFA in Piano Performance, and a BA in Italian.
