Francois began music at the age of five with piano and discovered percussion whenhe was fourteen learning from Georges Van Gucht, foundation member ofPercussions de Strasbourg. He studied at the Conservatoire National Superieur deMusique de Lyon with Francois Dupin graduating with a Masters in Percussion.During this time Francois was selected for three years consecutively with the FrenchYouth Orchestra conducted by Marek Janovski and played in numerous festivals suchas Festival of Radio France, Bolzano Festival and the Festival of La Roqued’Antheron.

Francois has enjoyed a successful freelance career playing with orchestras such asLyon National Orchestra, Lyon National Opera Orchestra, Monte Carlo PhilhamonicOrchestra, Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Marseille Philharmonic Orchestra andworking with conductors including David Robertson, Kent Nagano, Lawrence Fosterand Pinchas Steinberg. Francois spent a year as Co-Principal Timpanist and SoloistPercussion at the National Orchestra of Porto. Now based in Australia, Francois hasplayed with New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestraand Camerata of St John’s.

As a chamber musician and soloist Francois was a member of the PercussionsClaviers de Lyon for four years touring Europe and recording CDs including SteveReich’s “The Desert Music”. He spent another four years with the group Symblema inMarseille, touring France and USA and recording “Les Quatre Saisons des QuatreSaisons” with world-renowned marimbist Eric Sammut. Francois continues to playwith Octobone, brass band directed by international trombone soloist MichelBecquet.

As an educator Francois was a tutor at the National Conservatoire of Toulon, andtaught many workshops throughout France in various structures. He is presentlyteaching at the Queensland Conservatorium and has been a tutor for the AustralianYouth Orchestra.