Born and raised in Kankakee, IL, Violist Andrew Francois began his musical studies at the age of 10 on violin in his school’s string program.
As a chamber musician and soloist, Mr. Francois has given recitals throughout the United States and Europe. Francois also served as artist faculty with the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival. Currently a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Francois has played and served as principal with various orchestras, including the Verbier Festival Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, and was in the inaugural class of fellows with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Resident Fellows program.
Mr. Francois has received Artistic Excellence Fellowships from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as well as Illinois State University. Mr. Francois enjoys teaching and community outreach, and has traveled to Medellin, Colombia to teach Masterclasses and Lessons at Eafit Universidad. While an undergraduate student, he was a Teaching assistant and private instructor at Illinois State University in their String Project program. As a graduate of the Jacobs School of music, studying under string department chair Stephen Wyrczynski, Mr. Francois held the title of Graduate Assistant for the string department, as well as sat on the Jacobs School of Music Council as a Graduate representative. In his spare time, Francois enjoys playing tennis and reading.