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, becoming the pianist for Great Noise Ensemble for a decade. 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, and the Bang on a Can Music Marathon. 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 just recorded her debut album of women composers which will be released in 2024.

Francesca teaches private piano and piano pedagogy at The Catholic University of America and private 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 holds a DMA in Piano Performance.

@virginiaarts @francescahurstpiano

This performance is partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts

Free, no tickets required or reservations needed.