Frances Armstrong

I started the piano when I was 10, and I really wanted to be like singer song writers like Ben Folds or Rufus Wainwright because they could sing and play the piano — I just thought that was the coolest. However, soon after I started playing the piano, I went the classical route — though I still had a lot of rock/pop music books. I gradually became more dedicated to classical piano, and started performing in recitals and competitions. I won many scholarships and prizes throughout my teenage years for my performances, but also discovered a love of performing chamber music during and teaching during this time. Fast forward a few years, and I now have a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance, many credentials from summer music training programs, and am pursuing my Master’s in Collaborative Piano at the University of Toronto. I guess you could say my love for singing and piano playing came full circle from when I started, until now, because I now work with many singers as part of my degree.