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Max Francis
Composer/Musician

Instruments I play:

Violin, Guitar, Mandolin, Piano, Banjo, Harmonica

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Places I've lived:

Vancouver, Creston, Victoria (all in British Columbia, Canada)

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Languages I speak:

English & Vietnamese (fluent), French (beginner)

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Birth year/Zodiac sign

June 2011

Metal Cat (Vietnamese zodiac sign)

"I have told many of my musician friends - 'Remember the name Max Francis. This kid from Victoria, BC Canada is going to be one of the greatest fiddle players to ever pull a bow!'" 

- Joey McKenzie, World Champion Fiddler 

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"I know you’ll be a force in music and you’ll be signing lots of autographs in the future. I want your autograph now!!"

- Calvin Vollrath, "Canada's Fiddling Sensation"

My Story.

My musical journey started when my mom and dad sang to me when I was still in my mom's womb. I can still almost remember the sounds and vibrations coming through the skin and amniotic fluid. I would kick to the beat and try my best to get out so that I could see who was singing for me. Finally, one day, I made it!

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When I was two, my dad showed me how to make two finger chords on a keyboard. That's when I started accompanying him when he played banjo and started composing my own tunes. 

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I made my stage debut when I was three years old at Wynndel Coffeehouse near Creston, BC. The people at Wynndel Coffeehouse gave me such a warm welcome and made me feel so loved, I couldn't wait to come back and perform again. I was hooked!

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I started playing guitar and ukulele when I was 3 going on 4. My dad says that he would teach me one thing and I would learn two. I just couldn't get enough music!

 

Then, when I was 6 years old, my parents gave me a violin and I started taking lessons from an amazing teacher named Velle Huscroft Weitman. The next year, we moved to Victoria and Velle introduced me to the wonderful teacher Ivonne Hernandez. Ivonne is one of the most special people in my life. She knew just how to support and encourage me to be my best. I am so lucky to be her student and to be a part of Coastline, an incredible youth fiddle group that is directed by Ivonne. 

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In Victoria, I also joined BC Fiddle Orchestra led by another amazing teacher and mentor, Daniel Lapp. I also took guitar lessons from two outstanding guitarists Charlie Gannon and Adam Dobres. In 2020, I joined the Collegium program at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and began learning classical violin from another incredible musician and teacher Simon McDonald.  

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In 2020, I was contacted by a person who lives and breathes Texas style fiddling named Lyle Dixson. "Uncle Lyle" is a vital force in the world of Texas fiddling, helping to preserve and support this unique style of music. Uncle Lyle sponsored me to begin taking lessons with the great teachers and musicians Joey and Sherry McKenzie. I have been learning Texas fiddling and guitar accompaniment from them since then and have fallen in love with it!

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As I learned and developed, I had opportunities to take lessons and workshops with other great teachers from across Canada and around the world, such as Calvin Vollrath, Patti Kusturok, Mark Sullivan, Alasdair Fraser, Jay Ungar, Bruce Molsky, Riley Baugus, and many others. 

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I am so grateful to the many wonderful teachers I have had during my musical journey and to my parents for supporting my musical development. Thank you also to everyone who supports me and enjoys my music. I love you all so much and hope that I can repay the love and generosity you have shown me. 

Highlights of Accomplishments

2023

  • BC Provincial Fiddle Contest - 2nd in championship division, winner in twin fiddle, People's Choice award. 

  • Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Contest (Truro, Nova Scotia) - 5th place.

  • National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest (Weiser, Idaho) - 1st in Jr Jr division, 3rd in under 17 Swing, 2nd in Trick and Fancy Fiddling.

  • Featured as soloist with Victoria Symphony's "Symphony in the Summer Festival".  

  • Awarded Platinum standard in composition at National Music Festival.

  • Placed 1st place in Junior Chamber category at Provincial and National Music Festivals (with chamber trio).

  • Recommended for 2023 Provincial Festival of Arts in solo strings and chamber categories. 

  • Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival - Won awards for Outstanding Intermediate or Senior Fiddler, BC Fiddle Composer, Composition, Solo Concerto (violin), Romantic (violin), Unaccompanied Bach (any instrument), Junior Chamber.

  • Featured guest on Calvin Vollrath's Fiddle Jubilee. 

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​2022

  • BC Old Time Fiddling Championship - Youngest champion in 51 year history of competition.

  • Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Competition - Youngest competitor and youngest person to make the finals in history of competition.

  • FCFM National Music Festival - Second place in the Developing Artist category, Gold standard in composition. 

  • 1st Annual Spot Prawn & Fiddle Festival (Victoria, BC) - First place (all ages). 

  • National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival (Weiser, ID) - First place in Online Youth Fiddle (17 and under).

  • Bob Wills Festival and Contest (Greenville, TX) - First place in Jr Jr (12 and under), Fourth in Swing (all ages).  

  • Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival - Recognition of Excellence in Composition, Most Outstanding Junior Duet, Outstanding Romantic Award, Outstanding Concerto Performance Award, Outstanding Unaccompanied Bach Performance Award, Promising Junior Fiddler Award, Own Composition Award (fiddle), recommended for the Provincial Music and National Music Festivals.

  • Victoria Conservatory of Music - Awarded the Katarina Scholarship Prize, Robin and Winifred Wood Scholarship, and Sydney Humphreys Violin Prize.

  • Original composition featured in the documentary "Why We Write: Poets of Vernon".

  • Featured in Spark to Flame Youth Showcase at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

  • Featured as guest performer on Calvin Vollrath's Fiddle Jubilee.

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2021

  • Florida State Fiddle Contest - First place in Junior (12 and under).

  • Canadian Virtual Fiddle and Stepdance Contest - First place (12 and under),

  • Grand North American Old-Time Fiddle Championship - Second place (17 and under).

  • Metcalfe Fair Virtual Fiddle and Step Dance Competition - Second place (15 and under).

  • National Online Fiddle Contest - Second place in Junior junior (14 and under)

  • Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition - Featured in the Youth Showcase.

  • Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival - Junior Strings - Baroque Award, Oliver Schroer Spirit Award, recommended to the Provincial Music Festival in the chamber ensemble category. 

  • Victoria Conservatory of Music - Awarded the Recording and Production Project Award and Margaret Hendry Scholarship.

  • Featured as a special guest at Calvin Vollrath's 25th CD Release Party for "Special Delivery".

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2020

  • Grand North American Old-Time Fiddle Championship - First place (17 and under).

  • Santa Barbara Old Time Contest - First place (15 and under).

  • Canadian Virtual Fiddle and Stepdance Contest - First place (12 and under).

  • Back to Batoche Fiddle Contest - First place (12 and under).

  • Festival du Voyageur Fiddle Contest - First place (12 and under). 

  • Metcalfe Fair Virtual Fiddle and Step Dance Competition - First place (12 and under).

  • Victoria Conservatory of Music - Awarded the Catherine Gillespie Memorial Scholarship, Helen B. and Bradley James A. Turner Scholarship, and Luke's Gift Scholarship.

  • Featured in the 2020 Canadian Fiddlers Advent Calendar.

  • Featured as a special guest in Daniel Lapp's Joy of Life concert.

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