Biography

 Richard Francis Martin has established himself as a rising talent in the classical music world through an impressive array of competition achievements, prestigious summer programs, and diverse musical experiences. Currently a student at La Salle College High School, Francis has built a remarkable musical foundation under the guidance of his current piano teacher, Ms. Michelle Cann, and formerly Ms. Janet Woods.

Most recently, he was a winner at the 2025 Texas State International Piano Festival Concerto Competition and earned first prize at the West Chester University Pre-Collegiate Piano Competition. In 2024, Francis won second prize at the 2024 Florida Young Artists' International Piano Competition and multiple honors in the prestigious Music Teachers National Association competitions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Summer intensives have played a crucial role in Francis’ development, including participation in the Bowdoin International Music Festival; Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Program, the Vivace International Piano Festival, and Interlochen Summer Arts Program. His summer musical education began early with the Kinhaven Summer Camp Junior Piano program in Vermont.

Beyond solo performance, Francis has embraced collaborative music-making through various ensemble experiences. He spent a scholarship year with the Settlement Music School Piano Chamber Trio and participated in piano quartets at the Bowdoin International Music Festival. His involvement in high school musical productions, including Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, showcases his versatility across musical genres.

As both performer and creator, Francis has demonstrated compositional talent with his original work Landscapes, which earned recognition in multiple competitions, including second place in the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Composers Contest and the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association Keystone Composition Competition. He has also created transcriptions of classical works, including J.S. Bach's Zion Hört die Wächter Singen.

Francis’ extensive masterclass experience with renowned artists including Dr. Charles Abramovic, Mr. Victor Cayres, Dr. Kara Huber, Dr. Jason Kwak, Dr. Hanchien Lee, Ms. Melinda Lee Masur, Ms. Marina Lomazov, Mr. Joseph Rackers, Dr. Timothy Shafer, Mr. Boris Slutsky, Ms. Haewon Song, Mr. Kwan Yi, and Ms. Natalie Zhu reflects his commitment to continuous learning and artistic growth. This dedication to excellence, combined with his demonstrated ability to excel in both performance and composition, positions Francis as an emerging artist with significant potential in the classical music world.