Mr. Francis Fawkes Francis Fawkes, concert pianist, recording artist, author and teacher studied piano with E. Clement Bethel and Meta Davs-Cumberbatch. His distinctive style was noticed when "his articulation of fast notes; his delineation of staccatos and legatos, his handling of various dynamic levels and beautiful tone throughout" was noticed by the adjudicator of the Royal Schools of Music. At the age of 12, he singled him out as a student of great potential.

A year later, Francis gave a command performance before Princess Alice, the then Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. Afterwards, he recieved a telegram, to perform by request for the renowned concert pianist Witold Malcuzynski, one of the world's foremost exponents of the music of Frederic Chopin. Malcuzynski recognized his talent.

Francis' teachers also recognized his potential and offered him opportunities for exposure. At the age of 14, Francis accepted an invitation to spend two summers at the National Music Camp in Michigan, a meeting place for the gifted youth from America and other parts of the world. It was there that he was introduced to Van Clibun and other keyboard celebrities who inspired him to excellence.

In June 1967, when the call went out at the Regency Hotel in New York for Bahamians abroad to return home and become involved in the national building process, Francis was there playing Chopin.

In 1970, while attending Jamaica School of Music, as a student of Dr. Kaestner Robinson, he won first place in the National Open House Competition. Upon Francis return home, he gave a recital of Classical music. He ran the gamut from Bach to Beethoven and from Chopin to Debussy before an overflowing and appreciative audience in the spacious Saint Mary's Hall. The Tribune's critic aclaimed him as "an artist with great sensitivity of style and a formidable technique."

In 1972, Francis auditioned for entrance into the Royal Academy of Music. His mentors were Guy Johnson and Sidney Harrison, the British concert pianist and noted author. In 1976, he completed his studies and recieived his credentials in music with an emphasis in piano performance.

On his return to Nassau, Francis taught in the private schools in addition to giving piano lessons at his studio situated at 115 J.F.K. Drive. During the summers of 1979 to 1982, at the University of Maryland, Francis had exposure to the seminars and master classes of the celebrated pianists such as Leon Fleitcher, George Bolet, Louis Kentner and several other celebrities. It was there that he expanded his repertoire and worldview. He also performed and studied at the University of Hartford Connecticut in 1987. Later on that same year, he performed in Atlanta in a special ceremony held in honour of Dr. Martin Luther King Sr. For his performance he recieved a standing ovation.

In 1987, he joined the Civil Service and has worked in several capacities. They are accompanist of the National Dance School; Head of the Cultural Resource Centre and Chief Paper Setter / Administrator of the BGCSE music examinations. As the National Arts Festival's accompanist, he was responsible for the increased participation in the choral and instrumental categories.

However, his main contributions, have been the impact he has had on the cultural development of the Bahamas through his anointed performances, both live and televised. Over the years, he has chosen the virtuoso bravura works of the Romantic era to motivate and to captivate his national audience.

At present, he has a CD called Great Piano Favourites. More recently, he was instrumental in designing a web site for the Bahamas government. Occasionally, he writes for the newspapers on Christian topics and has plans of eventually compiling his essays into a second book entitled Cultivating the Christian Worldview.