Francesco

Francesco is an experienced classical guitarist and teacher with over 30 years’ teaching experience. He is Head of Guitar at the Purcell School for Young Musicians and has also taught at Dulwich College and Harrow Music Service, where he continues to teach pupils of a wide range of ages and abilities.

Born in York, Francesco began studying guitar with Graham Wade before going on to study with Gordon Crosskey and John Williams at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has continued to combine teaching with a varied performing career, appearing at guitar festivals and concert venues across the UK, as well as on Classic FM and television. He has a particular interest in contemporary music and has collaborated with composers, theatre and dance companies, and other musicians throughout his career. He currently performs both as a soloist and with mezzo-soprano Gina Fergione.

Francesco has a particular wealth of experience helping young guitarists develop strong technique and musical understanding, from their first lessons through to advanced study and conservatoire auditions. His pupils have gone on to study at leading institutions including the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, the Peabody Institute, San Francisco Conservatory and Cleveland Institute, with a number of students receiving scholarships.

His students have also achieved success in competitions and major performance opportunities, including appearances on Sky Arts’ Guitar Star, performances at Wigmore Hall and the Royal College of Music, and prizes at Leicester MusicFest and other national competitions. He has extensive experience with both the Trinity and ABRSM syllabuses, with a high proportion of his pupils achieving distinctions at the higher grades.

His teaching places a strong emphasis on developing a secure technical foundation without rushing the process. He is particularly interested in helping young players develop efficient, sustainable technique, good tone production and a strong understanding of musical interpretation. He believes in sequencing the learning of skills carefully so that pupils develop confidently without creating physical or technical problems later on.

Alongside classical guitar, Francesco is happy to support pupils who become interested in other styles, and has helped students explore flamenco, jazz, fusion and rock. He teaches beginners as well as advanced players, and also enjoys working with adult guitarists. With very young beginners, he encourages parents to be involved in the early stages of learning so that good habits can be established from the outset.

Francesco founded the Stoke Newington Guitar Festival, establishing a distinctive guitar event in North London bringing together leading performers and teachers for concerts, workshops and masterclasses. His lessons also cover what makes the guitar such a rich and fascinating instrument, including its history, repertoire, different musical styles and the individual players who have shaped it. Many of his students stay with him for many years, allowing him to build on their progress and support them through the different stages of their musical development.

Whether working with a beginner taking their first steps on the guitar, an adult returning to the instrument, or an advanced player preparing for auditions, Francesco brings the same care to developing sound technique, musical understanding and a lasting enjoyment of playing.