DIRECTOR, FRANCINE DI
Education
- Master of Music, University of Florida
- Bachelor of Music, The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University
- Diploma in Piano Performance, The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Professional Affiliation
- National Guild of Piano Teachers
Current Projects
- Francine Di : Musician, Writer, Teacher
- Eastern Echo Music Collective
- Houston Chinese Orchestra
- Classical Revolution Houston
- HAAPI Film Festival
- Miss Chinatown Houston
Curriculum Vitae (MS Word download)
I began formal piano studies at age 12, inspired by my aunt, a piano teacher, who taught me a Chopin nocturne during my first visit to Shanghai. Once back in Houston, I became a private student of Chang-lu Wu. In just two years, she encouraged me to audition for the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and I was accepted into the piano program under the direction of Sylvia Strong. Later, I would also study privately with John Weems, Robert Roux at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, and Boaz Sharon during his tenure at the University of Florida.
Though my primary focus is classical piano, I have also studied voice and have performed pop, jazz, and folk music from Brazil and Asia. My community involvement in Houston has included the Miss Chinatown Pageant, Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, Rice University Community of Asian Alumni, Classical Revolution Houston, OCA, Houston Chinese Orchestra, Rice University Jazz Band, Brazilian Arts Foundation, and Voices Breaking Boundaries. I love meeting new people and am always open to hearing from prospective students and collaborative musicians.
In addition to teaching and performing music, I hold a BA in English and offer editing services, college admissions mentoring, and tutoring. Students I have advised earned acceptance into UT Austin, Duke University, Rice University, and others. I am also a passionate writer who strives to remain active in local workshops and organizations. My most notable publication to date is an essay in Asian American X , but I hope that list will soon grow. Currently, I am working on a novel, a children's story, and a collection of poetry.