Teacher

Francesca Retford is the president of The Ivory Keys Music Studio. She is a concert pianist & vocalist and a master teacher of both arts. She holds a Master of Music Degree in Musical Theater/Opera Performance, from Arizona State University, and holds a Bachelors degree in Piano Performance from ASU as well.

Her piano teachers include the brilliant Steinway artist Robert Hamilton, a pupil of Vladimir Horowitz, world class teacher and professor Dr. Irene Perry-Fox, Steinway artist Dr. Caio Pagano, Manuela Pagano, professor of Collaborative Artists at ASU Dr. Andrew Campbell, and Dr. Hamilton Tesscarolo.

Francesca is also a concert vocalist. Her vocal teachers include one of Broadway’s finest and current artists, Tregony Shephard, Judy May, Darlene Kliewer-Britton, a major coach of Broadway stars, and Jaime Jordan.

Francesca has performed with The Hollywood Chamber orchestra at the Montalban Theater in Hollywood, in collaboration with film and Hollywood composer/orchestrator Chad Cannon. This was the premiere of his piece, "Harlem" that was written up in the New York Times. Francesca has done other projects with Cannon that were debuted at the Lincoln Center in NYC. New projects are coming this coming year.

Francesca has also worked with Hollywood composer Phil Klein doing studio work as well.

Francesca has also soloed at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts In collaboration with The Millenial Choirs and Orchestra singing aria's from Handel's Messiah as well as other Christmas carols. She was the first soprano section leader as well.

Francesca has also worked with other professional choirs such as The Pacific Chorale, and the Redlands Master Chorale.

Francesca has participated in Musical Theater shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Technicolor Dream-coat, Godspell, The Christmas Schooner, and many shows.

Francesca sang for the movie soundtrack Compulsive Gambling, a documentary by Rick Rabe. She acted as an honors judge and the graduating senior’s advisor for Arizona Study Program, an honors and scholarship program sponsored by the Music Teachers National Association. She was awarded the Katherine Herberger Scholarship for piano performance at ASU.

Francesca is a skilled accompanist/pianist and is passionate about working in musical ensembles and desires more than anything to inspire others to do the same.