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”, and The Washington Post praised her “quicksilver passagework” and “tender lyricism”. 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.
Classically trained, she fell into the new music scene in 2013, and has appeared as a solo and collaborative guest artist at festivals like the Atlantic Music Festival, Wintergreen Music Festival, New Music Delaware, New Music Gathering, Charlotte New Music Festival, and the Bang on a Can Music Marathon. She was part of Great Noise Ensemble for a decade, and currently plays with the electro-acoustic Fuse Ensemble. Equally versatile in the classical repertoire, she has played in venues like the Kennedy Center and the National Gallery of Art, 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 14 premieres. She is on the Virginia Commission for the Arts Performing Artist Touring Roster, and her debut album of women composers will be released soon.
An effective and innovative teacher, Francesca teaches piano and directs the piano pedagogy curriculum at The Catholic University of America, and maintains a private piano studio in Annandale, Virginia. She is also on the faculty of the Orfeo Music Festival in Italy. She is a Nationally Certified Music Teacher, and is often invited to judge competitions and teach master classes. She holds a DMA, MM, and BFA in Piano Performance, and a BA in Italian. www.francescahurst.com