Frances Yonge
Frances is a songwriter from Tenterden, Kent. Inspired by the countryside and steam train whistles, she feels a strong connection to the area, remembering childhood days spent at the railway with her Father.
Frances has been obsessed with the piano from an early age and since teenagehood has been compelled to tell stories in song form. Using songwriting as a way to transcend the mundanities of life, Frances hopes that people listening to her songs might use them as a form of escapism, and to hear new perspectives on life.
Frances practises Ashtanga yoga and finds the principles of the practice are well aligned to music endeavour, as both disciplines help her understand life better and give her purpose. She has written songs about the natural world and admires those with green fingers. Frances has grown-up children at university and records music with her husband in her home studio. She is currently producing her new album, ‘October December’ which will be available for listening in the Autumn.
In addition to songwriting, Frances works as a professional pianist. She accompanies many choirs and works as a creative dance pianist for the Royal Opera House, improvising for ballet and educational classes. David Pickering OBE wrote that ‘she has the rare ability to fluently transcribe specific themed dance instructions direct through her fingers to the keyboard and create movement inspiring music’. Frances has written and produced eight albums. Her album, ‘My Garden’, was described by SO Magazine as ‘completely mesmerising’, the songs ‘moving and ageless’. She was shortlisted for the Platinum Jubilee songwriting competition, receiving a certificate of thanks from the Queen. Frances recently set Helen Dunmore’s poem, ‘My life’s stem was cut’ to music and her lockdown-ending song, ‘Thanks for calling me’ received several public choir performances. Her songs have been remixed by Code Marla and AdaM, finding new expression in electronica. Frances has a passion for community music and is a pianist for Liberty Choir which facilitates singing groups in prisons.
